Livermore, CA Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)

Livermore Municipal Code § 12.45.110(O) defines 'public assembly' to include, among other things, 'a downtown event, sidewalk sale' where 25 or more people are expected. Section 12.45.120 makes it unlawful to conduct, sponsor or publicize such an event on public property or in the right-of-way without a special event permit from the Community Development Director. Once a fair is authorized, the Director may impose special permit conditions under § 12.45.170: subsection P prohibits 'outdoor tables or booths (including portable vending stations) within the event area, unless the operator has first obtained a permit from the event sponsor,' and subsection Q requires 'that the permittee obtain a food permit from the Alameda County health department for the sale of food out of doors.' The Director can also restrict or prohibit alcoholic beverages and glass containers (§ 12.45.170(F)), require garbage/recycling containers and site cleanup (§ 12.45.170(J)), require a cleanup deposit (§ 12.45.170(K)), and require the permittee to pay its share of sidewalk-cleaning costs set by City Council resolution (§ 12.45.170(U)).

Before the permit issues at all, § 12.45.160 requires the standard $250.00 deposit, an indemnification statement approved by the risk manager, and insurance. Applications circulate to police, fire, public services and community development staff for comment under § 12.45.140(A)(4), and the Director must decide within 45 working days.