Stratford, CT Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)

Section 4.4.21(B) of the Stratford Zoning Regulations, adopted by the Zoning Commission, covers special events in the Town of Stratford, Connecticut, including carnivals, shows, fairs, pop-ups and other similar special events. Approval comes from the Planning and Zoning Administrator based on the factors in the section. In lieu of approval or disapproval, the Administrator can refer any request to the Zoning Commission for an administrative review.

The decision turns on one finding: the Administrator or the Zoning Commission must find that the proposed event will not have an adverse impact on the health, safety, or welfare of the public, after consideration of parking, length of the event, hours of operation, effect upon the surrounding neighborhood, noise level and air pollution.

Location is restricted. Such events are not permitted in residential districts, except on property containing schools, churches, fraternal organizations or on Town-owned property. The application needs a site plan drawn to scale showing property size, layout of rides, games and tents, parking, sanitation facilities, lighting, and similar items. Tents or canopies used with carnivals, shows, fairs and similar events can exceed the height, size, consecutive days, and times per calendar year requirement stated in Section 6.1 (Accessory Buildings and Structures) upon approval by the Planning and Zoning Administrator.

The same section handles two neighboring activities. Retail uses can hold up to two sidewalk sales each year, each not lasting more than three days, with written notice to the Planning and Zoning office seven days in advance, and the sale area limited to 100 square feet without preventing safe and free passage of pedestrians and vehicles. Sales beyond those parameters can be approved by the Zoning Commission in administrative session in the same manner as carnivals, shows and fairs. A temporary liquor permit at an event is approved administratively by zoning staff on the same health, safety and welfare finding, with a detailed site plan showing service bars and tents.