Tempe, AZ Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)

Tempe City Code Sec. 5-2 requires a permit for any outdoor public gathering on City-owned property that involves entertainment, amusements, festivals, carnivals, parades, walks, runs or bicycle rides, amplified sound, a participation fee, sale of merchandise or food (including sidewalk sales), or an activity open to the public. The promoter or sponsoring organization must apply to the City Manager or designee at least sixty days before the scheduled start date, pay a non-refundable application fee (with a late-application fee for tardy filings), and then pay a permit fee for each day of operation, all set in Appendix A of the Code.

The City Manager routes the application to affected City departments, which can recommend conditions such as hiring additional public safety or security staff, erecting security fencing, providing sanitary facilities, replacing displaced accessible parking, covering unforeseen City costs, or posting a performance bond. A permit can be denied, or issued with stipulations, if the activity would be detrimental to public health, safety or welfare or would place an undue burden on City services; a denied applicant has fourteen days to request reconsideration from the community services director.

Before the permit is actually issued, the promoter must sign an indemnification agreement holding the City harmless and provide proof of personal injury and property damage insurance. Nonprofit charitable, educational or civic organizations can request a refund of the permit fee if net proceeds go to a charitable purpose benefiting City residents, but the refund request must be made in writing at the time of application and the funds must be distributed within sixty days after the event's final performance. Parades, runs, walks and bicycle rides that use City streets or rights-of-way must additionally comply with Section 19-43 of the Code.