Salem, OR Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)

Salem street fairs and festivals run through the same community event permit created by SRC chapter 104, so a vendor's rights ride on the event organizer's permit rather than a separate city 'street fair' license. 200 makes it unlawful to vend or sell food or merchandise from the roadway, curb to curb, along the route of a permitted activity or event while that route is closed to normal motor vehicle traffic, unless the vendor first gets the written permission of the permit holder and whatever permits or licenses the City or any other governmental entity requires for the specific activity, such as a mobile food unit license or health permit.

050, which must be filed at least three business days before the event, or 20 business days ahead if the route closes any part of an arterial street under the Salem Transportation System Plan. 030(c) pulls that setup into the permit requirement whenever the Fire Department or Building and Safety Division would otherwise require its own permit for the structure. 080 for false statements, missing information, or unmet approval criteria, which would also cut off a vendor's ability to rely on that written permission.