Lacey, WA Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)

LMC 16.70.020(K) defines a street fair, outdoor food court or market as a location where multiple street merchants and activities are organized as one function, including one site, lot or parking lot designed or converted to accommodate multiple street vendors on a permanent or seasonal basis, the Lacey Fun Fair or a seasonal farmers' market. A separate definition in LMC 16.70.020(H) calls an outdoor food court one location where more than four street merchants selling food have located. LMC 16.70.020(G) covers outdoor shopping center activities and events, such as promotions, special showings, boat and recreation vehicle sales, pony rides and carnival activities in shopping center parking lots, provided they do not significantly impede parking or circulation.

Under LMC 16.70.030(B), none of these can operate in the City of Lacey without planning approval, and LMC 16.70.030(A) also requires a Chapter 5.12 LMC business license. LMC 16.70.030(B)(2)(a) sends outdoor food courts, shopping center activities, and street fairs and markets with more than three street merchants to site plan review. The approving authority can approve a street fair only on findings consistent with the intent of the chapter. It must ensure the proposal is consistent with the chapter's standards, will enhance the attractiveness of the pedestrian environment, and is designed, oriented and operated to serve pedestrians, with an exception for a street merchant structure or temporary/seasonal retail stand in a parking lot. It can attach conditions on operation, location or design, and can administratively approve variances from the chapter's standards.

The application needs scale drawings of the location, drawings of the vending device, a plan of scheduled hours of operation, and the landowner's written approval. Vendors inside the event are street merchants and must meet the retail stand standards in LMC 16.70.040: canopies with seven feet of vertical clearance, a displayed city license, a litter container, and fire extinguishers under the adopted fire code. LMC 16.70.045 limits retail stand merchandise to food, nonalcoholic beverages, newspapers and magazines, original art and handcrafted goods, and other items the approving authority finds appropriate to pedestrian areas.