Charlotte County, FL Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)

Charlotte County folds street fairs, carnivals and expositions into a single temporary-use permit system that also covers yard sales, mobile food vending and seasonal sales lots, and every version of it requires a permit before the event happens; section 3-9-87(a) states plainly that no temporary use identified in the section is exempt from the permit requirement except as specifically carved out. ch. 616' as a textbook example of a regulated temporary use. Which permit tier applies turns on footprint, not on how the event is billed: a Type 1 permit under section 3-9-87(c) covers a footprint up to 1,500 square feet, capped at six uses per property per calendar year and five consecutive days per use, and costs a $150 nonrefundable application fee.

A Type 2 permit under section 3-9-87(d) kicks in above 1,500 square feet, is capped at three uses per property per year and ten consecutive days per use, and costs $300. m. on Friday and Saturday under section 3-9-87(a)(4). A vendor or fair operator has to file at least 15 working days before the event with the zoning official, who must grant, deny or conditionally approve within 7 working days, and the site must be cleared of debris and temporary structures within 48 hours of the event's end.

A Type 2 event additionally requires a $50,000 security bond, letter of credit or cash deposit under section 3-9-87(e), refundable 90 days after the county confirms the site was left in compliance.