Warrick County, IN Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)

Chapter 137 of the Warrick County Code, adopted under I.C. Title 16 (including I.C. 16-20-1-25 through -27), authorizes the Warrick County Health Department to permit, inspect, and enforce covered special events. Section 137.02 defines a SPECIAL EVENT as an event or gathering, including a farmers' market, involving the sale or distribution of food or beverages by more than one food vendor on streets, sidewalks, alleys, or other public places or property, which captures multi-vendor street fairs and festivals. Section 137.03 bars a person from conducting or allowing a special event without a current, valid permit from the Health Officer, requires a separate permit for each event unless the department approves otherwise in writing, and makes permits non-transferable.

Under Section 137.04, the event organizer must submit an application with event, vendor, and site information within the department's required timeframe and update it on request. Fees are set under Section 41.02 and the Health Department fee schedule adopted under I.C. 16-20-1-27 (Section 137.05). The organizer must give the department reasonable site access, keep the event sanitary, relay department notices to vendors, and name an on-site contact (Section 137.06). The Health Officer may inspect the site at reasonable times (Section 137.07), issue a written notice of violation or correction order (Section 137.08), or, on finding an imminent health hazard, suspend the permit or close the event or a vendor without a prior hearing (Section 137.09).

Permits can be denied, suspended, or revoked for false statements, uncorrected violations, or interference with enforcement (Section 137.10), and an aggrieved organizer may appeal in writing to the Board of Health within ten business days (Section 137.11).