Loveland, CO Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Loveland Municipal Code Ch. 12.26
- Cleanup deposit section
- § 12.26.130
- Application lead time
- 20 business days minimum
- Vendor license
- Exempt under a permitted local event
- Unpaid cleanup balance
- Billed, due within 10 days
Summary
Street fairs, carnivals, and other 'local events' in Loveland need an event permit under Municipal Code Chapter 12.26, and if the fair involves selling food or drinks, erecting structures, or bringing in horses, the Coordinator can require a cleanup deposit under § 12.26.130 before issuing the permit. Fail to restore the site afterward and the city bills the difference.
A.In connection with an event involving the sale of food or beverages, erection of structures, presence of horses or other large animals, or erection of water aid stations, the applicant may be required to provide a cleanup deposit prior to the issuance of a permit. The cleanup deposit shall be in the amount established by the Coordinator, based upon an estimate of the actual costs reasonably estimated to be incurred by the city in the cleanup of an event of like nature and size.B.The cleanup deposit shall be returned after the event if the area used for the event has been cleaned and restored to the same condition as existed prior to the event.C.If the property used for the event has not been properly cleaned or restored, the applicant shall be billed for the actual cost to the city for cleanup and restoration, and the cleanup deposit (or a portion thereof) shall be applied toward payment of the bill.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 13).
Full Breakdown
040. 130 lets the Coordinator require a cleanup deposit before the permit issues, sized to the city's estimate of actual cleanup costs for an event of similar type and scale. If the site is left clean and restored, the deposit is returned in full. If it isn't, the applicant is billed for the city's actual cleanup and restoration cost, with the deposit applied against that bill; any unused balance is refunded, and any shortfall is billed separately, due within 10 days of the bill. 120. 070.
Violations & Fines
Running a street fair without the required event permit, or without meeting its conditions, violates § 12.26.160 and is a misdemeanor under the Code's general penalty, § 1.12.010: a fine consistent with C.R.S. § 13-10-113 or up to 364 days in jail, plus a $15 surcharge. If the fairgrounds aren't cleaned up afterward, the city applies the cleanup deposit to its restoration costs under § 12.26.130(C) and bills the sponsor for anything the deposit doesn't cover, due within 10 days of the bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a street fair need a separate permit from a parade?
Do food vendors at the fair need their own vending license?
What's a cleanup deposit and when is it required?
What happens if the fairgrounds aren't cleaned up?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Loveland
Compare Loveland to another location·View the Colorado special events & permits overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Street Fair Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Larimer County handle street fair rules.