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Virginia Beach, VA Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Daily license tax
$300/day + 1% of receipts
Cash deposit
$500 held by treasurer
Permit issuer
City manager approval required
Nonprofit/charity rate
$200 flat, two weeks
Parade add-on
$150 additional tax

Summary

Virginia Beach charges $300 per event day plus 1% of gross admissions for carnivals, street fairs, and tent shows, requires a city manager permit before any license issues, and holds a $500 cash deposit against the receipts-based tax.

For every carnival, street fair or tent show...there shall be paid the following license tax for each day or part thereof: $300.00 and, in addition thereto, one percent of the gross receipts...received from all admissions to such carnival, street fair or tent show and all side shows and amusements operated in connection therewith; ... No license shall be issued under this section unless there is presented to the commissioner of revenue a permit from the city manager for the operation of the carnival, street fair or tent show in question.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 170 Update 1).

Full Breakdown

City Code § 18-67 taxes every carnival, street fair, or tent show $300 for each day of operation plus 1% of gross admissions receipts, and adds $150 if the event includes a parade. A business association or charitable/nonprofit fundraiser can instead pay a flat $200 covering two weeks if the city manager approves. Before the commissioner of revenue can issue the daily license, the city manager must first grant an operating permit, and the applicant must deposit $500 in cash with the city treasurer to secure the gross-receipts portion of the tax under § 18-68(a).

Violations & Fines

Operating a carnival, street fair, or tent show without the city manager's permit, or continuing after the gross-receipts tax is assessed but unpaid, is operation without a license: a fine of $100 to $500, with each day a separate offense (§ 18-68(c)).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit for a street fair in Virginia Beach?
Yes. The commissioner of revenue cannot issue the license until the city manager grants an operating permit for the carnival, street fair, or tent show (§ 18-67(e)).
How much does a street fair license cost?
$300 per day plus 1% of gross admissions, or a flat $200 for two weeks if a business association or nonprofit sponsors it for fundraising and the city manager approves (§ 18-67(a),(c)).
What if I don't pay the gross-receipts tax on time?
Continuing to operate before the assessed amount is paid counts as operating without a license, punishable by a $100-$500 fine per day (§ 18-68(c)).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Virginia Beach

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All Virginia Beach rules

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