Haverhill, MA Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)

Chapter 104, Article IV, Public Shows, Exhibitions and Events, adopted 8-5-2014 by Doc. 49-A, requires a City Council license before anyone sets up, promotes or maintains a public event, defined in § 104-25 as any event open to the public such as a carnival, festival, fair, or other outdoor event at which the public will gather, regardless of whether admission is charged. Under § 104-26, the written application must be filed at least 30 days before the event and fully describe the event's conditions and premises, include proof of the property owner's permission, copies of vendor, entertainer, security and catering contracts, proof of insurance, anticipated attendance, on-site or off-site parking arrangements, solid waste and recycling plans, and restroom counts.

The Police Chief, Fire Chief, Health Inspector or Board of Health, Building Inspector and Public Works Director all review the application before the hearing required by § 104-27, which the Council must open within 27 days of a completed filing; the Council can deny a license that would create a nuisance by increasing traffic, disruptive conduct or noise, or that harms neighborhood quality of life. Section 104-29 sets a sliding nonrefundable application fee based on anticipated attendance: $50 for a nonprofit organization, and otherwise $50 under 500 attendees, $100 under 1,000, $150 under 2,500, $300 under 5,000, and $500 for more than 5,000.

The Council may grant no more than three public event licenses in a calendar year on any one privately owned parcel, with at least 60 days between events, and licensees answer for any damage to public property or extra public safety costs the event causes.