Palmdale, CA Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- One-day events
- Special event permit, max 10 per 180 days
- Multi-day events
- Temporary use permit, max 15 days or 3 weekends/180 days
- Setback
- 100 feet from residential areas, waivable by Director
- Zoning
- Must be on nonresidentially zoned property
- Security
- Personnel required by Sheriff's Department
- Application
- Filed with Department plus Council-set fee
Summary
Bazaars, festivals, and similar events in Palmdale need a City permit under PMC § 17.98.020(D)-(E). One-day events use a special event permit capped at 10 per 180 days; multi-day festivals need a temporary use permit and are capped at 15 continuous days or three weekends in any 180-day period.
(D) Uses Requiring a Special Event Permit. A special event permit issued pursuant to PMC § 17.26.100 (Temporary use and special event permits) shall be required for the following temporary uses, pursuant to PMC § 17.26.100(H): ... (3) Bazaars, pony rides, festivals, and similar events. ... Circuses, carnivals, rodeos, concerts, shows, or similar enterprises, and any of the uses allowed with a special event permit pursuant to Subsection (D) of this Section, that operate for more than one day shall be subject to the following guidelines and conditions: ... (b) Circuses, carnivals, rodeos, concerts, shows, or similar enterprises, shall be limited to not more than 15 continuous days, or not more than three weekends, of operation in any 180-day period. ... (c) Any of the uses allowed with a special event permit shall be limited to not more than 10 one-day events in any 180-day period; (d) All such activities shall have a minimum setback of 100 feet from any residential area. This standard may be waived or modified by the Director, if it is determined that no adverse impacts would result;
Full Breakdown
98 (Other Uses). 100. 100(C), the organizer must file the application with the Department along with the fee set by City Council resolution. 100(H)(1), is limited to one-day events; anything running longer needs a temporary use permit instead. 100(H)(2) cap. These uses must sit on nonresidentially zoned property and keep a 100-foot minimum setback from any residential area, though the Director may waive or modify that buffer on a finding that no adverse impacts would result. Organizers must also provide traffic circulation, off-street parking, dust control and pedestrian safety measures approved by the Director and City Engineer, sanitary facilities approved by the City, security personnel required by the Sheriff's Department, and lighting shielded from adjacent properties and streets, plus any applicable local, County, or State permits.
Violations & Fines
Holding a bazaar, festival, or similar event without the required temporary use or special event permit makes it an unpermitted temporary use, which PMC § 17.26.100(B)(2) declares a public nuisance subject to the City's zoning enforcement. For a permitted event, § 17.26.100(F)(2) lets the Director revoke the permit or impose additional conditions upon finding sufficient evidence of a violation of the Title or the permit's terms; the permittee may appeal that decision under PMC § 17.20.110.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do vendors need a permit to sell at a Palmdale street fair or bazaar?
How long can a festival or bazaar run in Palmdale?
How close to homes can a street fair or carnival be held?
Who provides security at a Palmdale festival or carnival?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palmdale
California rules heatmap·Compare Palmdale to another location·View the California special events & permits overview
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