San Bernardino County, CA Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing permit
- Temporary Special Event Permit, § 85.16.030
- Minor event notice
- 30 to 90 days advance
- Major event notice
- 180 days advance
- Small event exemption
- Class I under 500 attendees/day
- Duration cap
- 5 days or 4 weekends per year
Summary
San Bernardino County requires a Temporary Special Event Permit under County Code § 85.16.030 before anyone can advertise, conduct, or operate a street fair, festival, or similar event in the unincorporated area, with narrow exemptions for small gatherings.
Permit Required. Except as otherwise provided by the County Code or State law, no person or entity shall advertise, conduct, maintain, operate, or provide admission for any temporary special event within the unincorporated areas of the County without possessing an unexpired, unsuspended, and unrevoked Temporary Special Events Permit from the Department for each temporary special event.
(3) Exemptions. The following temporary events are exempt from the requirements of obtaining a Temporary Special Events Permit in compliance with this Chapter:
(A) Any sites that have received land use approval (e.g., Conditional Use Permit) to allow temporary special events.
(B) Any temporary special events held in County Regional Parks.
(C) Any Class I minor event as defined in
Full Breakdown
Anyone planning a fair, festival, farmer's market, swap meet, or similar event in unincorporated San Bernardino County needs a Temporary Special Event Permit under County Code § 85.16.030. Minor events need 30 to 90 days' notice; major events need 180 days. The Department consults the Sheriff, Fire, Public Health, and Public Works before issuing, and can require liability insurance, a cleanup bond, and fees covering each affected department's costs. Class I events under 500 people a day and Class II events under 200 a day are exempt. Under § 84.25.040(c), such events on nonresidential land are capped at five days, or four two-day weekends, per year.
Violations & Fines
Operating, advertising, or selling tickets to a street fair without a valid Temporary Special Event Permit is unlawful under § 85.16.030(p); the County can shut the event down at any time and recover enforcement costs from the promoter, business owner, or landowner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a small street fair in San Bernardino County?
How far ahead do I need to apply for a street fair permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Bernardino County to another location·View the California special events & permits overview
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