Rochester Hills, MI Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)

Chapter 79 defines 'special event,' at section 79-2, as a carnival, circus, show, attraction, or exhibit, or a temporary display or sale of goods, products, wares, merchandise, services, or material held outside a fully enclosed building on non-residential property, expressly naming carnivals, circuses, amusement rides, arts and crafts fairs, flea markets, and rummage sales. Section 79-3 bars holding, staging, or conducting one without a Building Department permit, plus an Oakland County Health Department permit for any temporary sanitary, water, or food facility (waived if only pre-packaged, ready-to-eat food is sold) and a street occupancy permit from the Engineering Department when public streets, pathways, or sidewalks are blocked.

Applicants must file at least 14 calendar days ahead under section 79-5, with the property owner's written permission, a site plan, proof of $500,000.00 combined-limit public liability insurance and $1,000,000.00 in umbrella coverage naming the city, and event hours confined to 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; any tent or canopy of 200 square feet or more with sides (400 without) triggers extra fire and structural documentation. Section 79-7 sets the fees, including a $100.00 application fee, a $180.00 plan-review fee, and a permit fee that scales with duration, from $180.00 for a 1-to-10-day event up to $360.00 for 21 to 30 days, plus a $90.00 fire department inspection fee.

Section 79-6 caps each permit at 30 days and limits an applicant to three such events per calendar year, and section 79-9 allows the city to revoke a permit for any violation or false statement.