Las Cruces, NM Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)

Sec. 16-96 of the Municipal Code defines a special event as 'a single event for business or community promotion sponsored by one or more businesses or organizations for a period of more than one day and not to exceed two weeks,' where the promoter supplies adequate parking, private patrol officers or police protection, and a list of participants to the community development department; the definition specifically includes arts and crafts fairs, farmers' or producers' markets, and outdoor sales at special events. A separate 'outdoor special event' is a shorter, individual-business sales event of no more than three days held adjacent to the business's own building.

A 'community-wide event,' set by long-standing custom or mayoral proclamation, covers citywide celebrations such as the Whole Enchilada Fiesta, the Renaissance Art Fair, Arte de Picante and the Fourth of July celebration. Under the fee schedule in Sec. 00 license, and that license 'is required of sponsor only,' meaning individual vendors inside the fair do not each need a separate city license. Sec. D of the Land Development Code caps most temporary special-event uses at 14 calendar days at a single location per year, except that equestrian- and agricultural-related events in the EE and REM zoning districts may run up to a cumulative 30 days a year. Sponsors apply through the community development department with a site plan, parking information, and event dates and hours.