Fairfield, CA Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)

Fairfield's "Fair" category covers street fairs, art and craft shows, farmers markets and open-air theater under Fairfield Municipal Code Chapter 12A, the Special Events Ordinance (Ord. No. 2013-25, as amended). Any Fair open to 75 or more people, or held on private property such as an off-street lot, needs a Special Event permit from the Director (the City Manager or designee) before it can operate.

Applications for a Minor Special Event (75-349 attendees, no alcohol) must be filed 60 to 90 days ahead; a Major Special Event (350 or more attendees, or 75 or more with alcohol) needs 90 days to a year of lead time. Late applicants can pay a 20 percent Expedite Fee to file as little as 10 days out, though the City can still deny a late filing. Section 12A.6(d) requires any Fair likely to generate substantial noise to prove it sits at least 150 feet from residential use, and Section 12A.9(a) bars any Carnival or Fair from operating before 9:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m. Fire Chief inspection and a fire permit are mandatory for every Carnival and Fair under Section 12A.13, and vendors selling goods must also comply with Chapter 10B. The Director sets insurance minimums and can waive them only for events run for First Amendment expression. Denials or conditions can be appealed to the City Council within seven days of the decision, or to the City Manager if there's no time before the event.