Little Rock, AR Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit authority
- City Manager
- Filing fee
- $25.00, nonrefundable
- Lead time
- 5-180 days before event
- Public assembly threshold
- More than 20 persons
- Structure approval
- Required for booths/stages on ROW
Summary
Street fairs and festivals in Little Rock need a public assembly permit from the city manager before setup, with a $25 nonrefundable filing fee.
Public assembly means any meeting, demonstration, picket line, rally or gathering of more than twenty (20) persons for a common purpose as a result of prior planning that interferes with the normal flow or regulation of pedestrian or vehicular traffic or occupies any public area in a place open to the general public. ... No person shall engage in or conduct any parade or public assembly unless a permit is issued by the city manager. ... A nonrefundable fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) to cover the administrative costs of processing the permit shall be paid to the city collector by the applicant at the time the application is filed.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 83).
Full Breakdown
Little Rock treats a street fair, festival, or any planned gathering of more than 20 people that occupies public streets, sidewalks, or grounds as a "public assembly" under Sec. 32-546. Organizers must file a permit application with the city manager at least 5 days (and up to 180 days) before the event, pay a nonrefundable $25 processing fee, and get advance approval before erecting any structure, stage, or vendor booth on city street, sidewalk, or right-of-way. The city manager can deny, revoke, or relocate an event under Sec. 32-551 and Sec. 32-560.
Violations & Fines
Staging or continuing an unpermitted street fair or public assembly is a misdemeanor under Sec. 32-558 and Sec. 32-561, enforceable by the Little Rock Police Department once organizers are notified a permit was denied or revoked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a street fair need its own permit type in Little Rock?
Can vendor booths be set up on the street without extra approval?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Little Rock
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