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Washington County, UT Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Vendor disclosure
Names, addresses, license numbers required
Sales tax duty
Vendors must remit to Utah Tax Commission
Minor fair fee
$100, 30 days advance filing
Major fair fee
$200, 60 days advance filing
Unpermitted penalty
$1,000 fine, up to class B misdemeanor

Summary

Street fairs, craft fairs, and farmers' markets in unincorporated Washington County are special events, and organizers must disclose every vendor's name, address, and license number in the permit application while making sure sales taxes get remitted.

City-specific rules exist: St. George has its own street fair rules rules that differ from Washington County's county-level regulations. If you live in St. George, check the city-specific page instead.

Vendors; Concessions: The plans for vendors or concessionaires who will be allowed to operate on the grounds, including the names and addresses of all vendors or concessionaires, their license or permit numbers, and proof of insurance... It is the responsibility of any event organizer or vendor participating in a special event to remit sales taxes to the Utah State Tax Commission.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-17: Code current through: Ord. 2026-1329-O, passed 8-18-2026).

Full Breakdown

The SPECIAL EVENT definition in section 3-3-2 lists outdoor sales events, craft fairs, and farmers' markets among the gatherings that require a permit once 75 or more people are involved. Section 3-3-5(C)(16) specifically requires the application to include the plans for vendors or concessionaires who will be allowed to operate on the grounds, including the names and addresses of all vendors or concessionaires, their license or permit numbers, and proof of insurance. Section 3-3-5(D) makes clear that it is the responsibility of any event organizer or vendor participating in a special event to remit sales taxes to the Utah State Tax Commission, since admission fees, participation fees, and merchandise and food sales are taxable sales sourced to the county where the event starts, regardless of the vendor's home business location; even 501(c)(3) charities must follow federal and state tax law.

Section 3-3-5(C)(19) additionally requires a site plan diagramming the location of vendors and concessionaires alongside parking, shuttles, first aid, and sanitary facilities. A minor street fair (75-199 attendees) files with a $100 fee 30 days out; a major one (200-plus) files with a $200 fee 60 days out, and cost-recovery billing under section 3-3-5(A)(4) can add public-safety, cleanup, and traffic-control charges after the event.

Violations & Fines

Running a street fair or vendor market without the required permit lets the sheriff's office shut the event down. Section 3-3-12 sets a $1,000 civil fine for the unpermitted event with a two-year permit denial, $500 per day for violating approved vendor or site-plan conditions, a class B misdemeanor for an unpermitted major fair, and a class C misdemeanor for an unpermitted minor one. Unpaid cost-recovery invoices can result in a lien on the applicant's property.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do individual vendors need their own county permit for a street fair?
The event organizer's application must list each vendor's name, address, and existing license or permit number under section 3-3-5(C)(16); the organizer, not each vendor separately, files the special event permit.
Who has to pay sales tax on street fair sales?
Section 3-3-5(D) places that duty on the organizer and vendors together, since admission fees, participation fees, and merchandise and food sales are taxable sales sourced to Washington County regardless of where the vendor's business is based.
Can the county charge extra fees after a street fair ends?
Yes. Section 3-3-5(A)(4) allows cost-recovery billing for unbudgeted public safety, traffic control, cleanup, and other excess services, with the invoice due within 30 days or the county may file a lien.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Washington County

All Washington County rules

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