Lakewood, CO Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)

Section 9.32.030(I)(B) requires a permit from the Director for several categories of park use, including, at subsection 3, "Any person engaging in organized community events in a park, open public area, community facility, or recreation facility such as festivals, celebrations, or organized walking, or running events." That sits alongside a separate permit requirement for group activities of 25 or more people (subsection B.1) and nonrecreational or commercial park activity (subsection B.2), while expressive-activity events like rallies and outdoor meetings are carved out and governed instead by Part II of the same section.

Applications go on forms the Director provides and must be complete to be accepted; under subsection C, the Director can deny an application for lack of time to evaluate it, though "in the absence of extraordinary circumstances...15 days will be sufficient." Under subsection E, the Director sets permit conditions, "including but not limited to requiring proper insurance coverage," and "may impose a reasonable fee to process the application and impose reasonable fees for group or nonrecreational use." The Director must issue the permit once satisfied the festival will not unreasonably interfere with public enjoyment of the site, will not endanger public health or safety, is not reasonably anticipated to incite disorderly conduct, will not impose burdensome cost on the city, and has not already been reserved for that day and hour (subsection F). A written response is due within 15 days of a complete application under subsection J, with reasons given if denied.

Subsection I gives the Director authority to revoke a festival permit for any violation of its conditions or of the rules governing use of the site, with no refund of fees. Subsection L makes the permit holder liable for property damage or personal injury caused by the event and requires the organizer to indemnify the city.