Lower Paxton, PA Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)

Section 203-507 of the Lower Paxton Township Code requires an occupancy permit for any temporary use of land or a structure, and a street fair or festival is a temporary use. In residential districts the code authorizes an outdoor fair, exhibit, show or other special event sponsored by a nonprofit organization, along with pop-up events, which it defines as temporary events lasting from a few hours or a few days, not exceeding five days. Five consecutive day long events and long-weekend events are listed too. In every other zoning district the authorized list includes outdoor fairs, exhibits, temporary sales events and flea markets. Anything outside those lists needs approval from the Board of Supervisors and the Township Codes Enforcement Officer.

The permit comes with conditions. The organizer must provide adequate traffic and pedestrian access and off-street parking to the extent possible. Every license and permit needed to sell products or food, and any approval from another governmental agency, must be submitted before the occupancy permit issues. The Chief of Police, the Fire Chief and the Codes Enforcement Officer must each be notified in writing. An organizer who does not own the site must file a letter of agreement or permission from the landowner. The organizer is responsible for running the event safely, including security, trash pick-up and daily maintenance of the grounds, and the Zoning Officer can refer the application to the Planning Commission for review before the permit issues. The section does not authorize outdoor display or sale of automobiles, trailer or equipment rentals, used furniture, appliances, plumbing or building materials.

Individual vendors fall under Chapter 137. A transient retail business includes selling from a fixed location on a temporary basis at special occasions or celebrations, and no one can run one without a license applied for through the Police Department. Section 137-15 exempts farmers selling their own produce, sales of donated goods for a charitable purpose, people representing a church, Township civic association, scouting organization or school, and sellers at a licensed flea market. Section 137-23 bars vendors from working before 7:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m. and from using loudspeakers to draw buyers, and § 137-24 gives no vendor an exclusive right to a street, alley or sidewalk location.