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

Glendale Municipal Code Chapter 5.88 defines a "commercial special event" as any program, activity or event staged to promote or engage in a commercial transaction, expressly naming farmers markets, swap meets, street fairs, art and craft shows, outdoor concerts, festivals and carnivals as examples (§ 5.88.020). Section 5.88.030 bars anyone from using or occupying public property, including sidewalks, streets, public parking facilities, parkways or alleys, for such an event, or holding one that affects that property, without a written permit from the city manager.

To apply, organizers submit a verified written application to the city manager's office listing the applicant's name and address, the event's location, dates and area, and a detailed description of any sales, displays or goods and services involved, along with a fee set by council resolution (§ 5.88.030(A)-(B)). The city manager's office then circulates the application among city departments to assess liability, parking, traffic, air quality and noise impacts, and sends it to any affected business and community benefit district, such as the Montrose Shopping Park Association, or merchants association, such as Downtown Glendale or Sparr Heights, which have 10 days to comment (§ 5.88.040). Within 35 days of receiving the application, or sooner once comments are in, the city manager approves, conditions or denies the permit.

Applicants and any affected district or merchants association can appeal an approval, conditional approval or denial to the city council under Chapter 2.88's appeal procedure (§ 5.88.040(B)). The permit requirement applies on top of, not instead of, any other local, state or federal law that governs the event.