LA County Code Title 7.84 sets special-event rules for street fairs, festivals, and outdoor markets. Organizers obtain permits from Treasurer-Tax Collector business licensing, plus LACoFD and Public Health review for tents, food, and crowd safety.
Title 7.84 governs commercial special events on public or private property in unincorporated LA County. Street fairs, food festivals, holiday markets, and similar gatherings require a Special Event Permit from the Treasurer-Tax Collector with parallel review by LA County Fire (LACOFD) for tents over 400 sq ft, propane cooking, and crowd-occupancy load, and Public Health for food handlers, temporary food facility permits, and handwash stations. Sheriff coordinates crowd security if attendance exceeds 1,000 or alcohol is served. Public Works issues encroachment permits where streets, sidewalks, or parking lots adjacent to right-of-way are closed. Application timelines vary from 30 days for small events to 90 days for major festivals exceeding 5,000 expected attendees.
Operating a street fair without permits triggers immediate shut-down by Sheriff and Fire, fines up to $1,000 per day, and forfeiture of vendor fees. Food-safety violations referred to Public Health add separate $50-$500 administrative fines per booth.
See how Torrance's street fair rules rules stack up against other locations.
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