Marin County, CA Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Marin County Code Ch. 5.12
- Application deadline
- 45 days before event
- Base license fee
- $300 first day, $100/added day
- Bond
- Required, amount set by director
- Large-event threshold
- Over 5,000 attendees to board
- Small-event exemption
- Under 1,000 daily attendance exempt
Summary
Marin County requires anyone holding a circus, carnival, festival, concert, or similar amusement event in the unincorporated area to secure a license under Chapter 5.12 at least forty-five days in advance, pay a nonrefundable fee, and post a bond; events expected to draw more than five thousand people must apply directly to the board of supervisors.
It is unlawful to hold, manage, conduct, advertise, sell or furnish tickets or other types of written authority for admission to, or cause to be so done, in whole or in part, any circus, carnival, sideshow, merchandise booth, game of skill or game of chance, amusement, exhibition, festival, concert or entertainment of any kind, without a license first having been secured from Marin County in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 2026 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
12 licenses circuses, carnivals, sideshows, merchandise booths, games of skill or chance, exhibitions, festivals, concerts, and other entertainment events in the unincorporated area. 010 makes it unlawful to hold, manage, conduct, advertise, or sell tickets to any such event without a license from the county. 020 requires a written application filed at least forty-five days before the event with the community development director or board of supervisors, listing the applicant's identity, the event site and proof of ownership or consent, hours of operation, admission charges, an estimate of attendance, parking and traffic plans, sanitation plans for water, sewer, food service and rubbish removal, on-site policing and fire arrangements, and emergency medical provisions.
A separate public works permit is required to use county-maintained roads and right-of-ways for the event, and a separate parks department permit is required to use county parks. 030 sets a nonrefundable application fee of three hundred dollars for the first day and one hundred dollars for each additional day, plus a deposit to cover inspection and regulation costs. 040 requires the applicant to post a bond sufficient to guarantee compliance and cover possible damage. 060 gives the department director thirty days to issue the license with conditions addressing parking, fire hazards, sanitation, police protection, noise and light nuisance, and notice to neighboring property owners.
090 sends any event expected to draw more than five thousand people directly to the board of supervisors, which must decide within thirty days of application. 100 exempts school athletic events and any event with under one thousand expected daily attendance.
Violations & Fines
Conducting an unlicensed circus, carnival, festival, or similar event violates Section 5.12.010. The department director can revoke a license under Section 5.12.070 if the event departs from the application, license conditions are violated, or new hazards emerge; the licensee or an aggrieved person can appeal a revocation, denial, or condition to the board of supervisors within ten days under Section 5.12.080.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Marin County require a permit for a street fair or festival?
How much does a Marin County event license cost?
Do I need a separate permit to close a county road for a festival?
What happens to events with more than 5,000 expected attendees?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Marin County
California rules heatmap·Compare Marin County to another location·View the California special events & permits overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.