Henrico County, VA Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)

Henrico County Code § 4-92 defines a "musical or entertainment festival" as any commercial outdoor gathering for music or entertainment, commercial once a business license is obtained or required, or once admission is charged. Under § 4-111, no one may stage, promote or perform at such an event without a special entertainment permit from the director of public safety. Section 4-112 requires a written application filed in duplicate at least 45 days before the event, with a $200 nonrefundable fee; the director may accept a late application only for good cause.

Organizers who run repeat festivals at an approved site can instead seek an annual permit under § 4-113 covering January 1 through December 31 for a $2,000 nonrefundable fee. Section 4-115 lists the conditions the director must confirm before issuing any permit: ticket and attendance estimates, promoter and financial-backing information, property-owner consent, health-department-approved sanitation and food/water plans (with no overnight camping), a fire-chief-approved medical and fire-protection plan, a police- and traffic-engineer-approved parking and crowd-control plan, and a lighting plan cleared by the chief of building construction and inspections.

Licensed, uniformed security personnel are required if the organizer hires them, and the building office must inspect all temporary stages, seating and electrical wiring on site. Section 4-116 lets county officials and police enter the property at any time to check compliance and gives the director authority to revoke the permit outright for any violation.