Kingsport, TN Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)

Section 70-28 of the Kingsport Code is the festival carve-out from the street vendor rules in Chapter 70, Article II. The article normally bars vending on any street or sidewalk in the city without a permit inside fire district No. 1 and bars it outright outside that district under section 70-24. Section 70-28 says the provisions of the article shall not apply to four groups: any approved participant in any farmer's market; any approved participant in any cultural arts and crafts show, including Fun Fest and Santa Train Christmas parade; any approved participant in any special event authorized by the city; and any individual vending newspapers, leaflets, pamphlets, bumper stickers or buttons.

The word that carries the exemption is approved. The ordinance does not exempt anyone who simply shows up at Fun Fest or along the Santa Train Christmas parade; the vendor must be an approved participant in the show, market or event. The special event category is tied to authorization by the city, so a vendor at an event the city has not authorized stays inside the street vendor article. Because the exemption applies to the provisions of the whole article, an approved participant is not held to the vendor permit and insurance requirements of section 70-25, the distance rules of section 70-29 (ten feet from business entrances, bus stops and corners, and 35 feet from other vendors) or the prohibited acts of section 70-30 while participating.

The same article still governs everyone else. A food vendor working a sidewalk in fire district No. 1 outside an approved event needs the one-year vendor permit from the city manager or designee, with insurance of not less than $1,000,000.00 and a certificate of insurance. Event organizers and vendors should confirm approval status with the city before setting up, since the exemption follows approval and not the event name.