Yolo County, CA Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)

Yolo County Code Sec. 01 defines an "outdoor festival" as any musical, dance, or rock festival, exhibition, sporting event, or similar outdoor activity, other than a parade, held outside a permanent building constructed for that purpose, open to the public for a charge or free, and attended by more than 1,000 persons. Sec. 02 makes it unlawful to operate, maintain, conduct, advertise, sell, or furnish tickets to such a festival in the unincorporated area without first obtaining a County license. Under Sec. 03, the promoter must file a written application with the Clerk of the Board at least 60 days before the event, pay a nonrefundable $100 application fee, and disclose the applicant's identity, the site's legal description and ownership or consent, dates and hours, expected attendance, and detailed plans covering drinking water, sanitary facilities, parking layout and attendants, emergency-vehicle access, medical and first-aid coverage, private security, fire protection, lighting, liability insurance, cleanup, an emergency communications system, food service, overnight camping arrangements, temporary structures such as bandstands, and policing focused on alcohol and drug control.

Sec. 04 requires the Clerk to route the complete application to the Sheriff, Public Health Director, Director of Public Works, Planning Director, and Chief Building Inspector for investigation and a written report before a public hearing the Board must set within 15 to 30 days, with at least 10 days' written notice to the applicant. At the Sec. 05 hearing the Board can grant, deny, or condition the license on measures under Sec. 06, and it may require an indemnity or performance bond and a separate cleanup surety bond, both underwritten by a state-authorized corporate bonding company, in amounts the Board sets in its discretion.

Once conditions are met, Sec. 00 per day the festival runs. Sec. 08 exempts charitable, religious, or eleemosynary community organizations from the application and license fees as long as net proceeds do not benefit private persons.