La Plata County, CO Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)

Section 73-20 of the La Plata County Code covers special events that do not occur at a special event venue, which reaches street fairs, festivals and similar gatherings on private land. It sets standards for the event as a whole and does not itemize booth or vendor rules. A special event needs an administrative land use permit under section 66-18 unless an exception applies. The exceptions are a private function of no more than forty-eight (48) hours at a private residence or multifamily grounds with no admission, rental fees or other charges, an event reasonably expected to attract fewer than fifty (50) vehicles or 100 people counting hosts, guests, staff employees and independent contractors, and an event at a permanent facility whose land use permit specifically allows such activities.

The director decides what an application must contain, based on the event. Required standards include sufficient potable water, adequate sewage disposal, legal access, and parking contained on the property and not within the public right-of-way. Noise cannot exceed the commercial maximum permissible levels under section 70-21, lighting must follow section 70-7, and temporary structures must meet commercial setbacks under section 70-6. Access must comply with sections 42-31 through 42-34, including proof of insurance, a liability coverage, an operational and traffic control plan and an emergency management and communication plan. A performance bond can be required to restore a damaged county road, and once more than 250 people are expected, a temporary emergency access is required.

The calendar is tight. Set up can begin no more than forty-eight (48) hours before the event, the event cannot exceed seventy-two (72) hours, and trash and temporary structures must be gone within seventy-two (72) hours after it ends. A property cannot hold more than three (3) special event permits per calendar year or more than one (1) at a time. Applicants send notice to surrounding landowners and post notice, with proof due within five (5) business days of submitting the application. An event that closes or restricts a county road also needs a special event permit from the public works director under section 42-31 and section 42-33.