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

Fairs and festivals are named as special event examples in § 12.16.020, which defines a vendor as any person who sells or offers to sell any goods, food or beverages within a special event venue. Section 12.16.270 provides that special event vendors' permit fees, if any, are set by City Council resolution, unless other provisions are made for those fees in the special events permit or in the contract between the city and the organizer of a commercial special event. The organizer carries much of the vendor compliance load.

A completed application includes vendors' business licenses and insurance certificates (§ 12.16.090), and even where insurance is waived, § 12.16.190 requires organizers to instruct all vendors to obtain a City of Pismo Beach business license and necessary insurance before the event. The permit itself can set the maximum interval of space between booths, and can authorize the organizer's exclusive control or regulation of vendors and related sales activity (§ 12.16.160). Section 12.16.300 lets the community development director authorize a local business, charitable or non-profit organization in a commercial zone to make a single temporary use of its commercial property, including selling parking spaces, during a permitted special event.

The application is filed not less than twenty-four hours before the event, the permit lasts no longer than the event, and the fee is $50, waived for entities proving tax-exempt not-for-profit status. Food or beverage service requires proof of health department certification, and police enforce the permit. Under § 12.16.300(A)(2), a business license or temporary use permit does not authorize operating on city sidewalks, streets, parking lots, piers or beaches without a valid permit, lease or written authorization from the City Council. In the pier zone, § 12.20.185 prohibits commercial sales except under a written lease or a Chapter 12.16 special events permit.