Washoe County, NV Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Festival threshold
- 1,000 or more persons on any one day
- Festival application fee
- $1,000.00, nonrefundable
- Filing deadline
- 90 days before the event
- Community event threshold
- 300 to 1,000 persons
- Community event fee
- $50.00 application fee
Summary
An outdoor festival drawing 1,000 or more people needs a $1,000 license application filed 90 days ahead and a public hearing before the Board of County Commissioners, while a smaller outdoor community event of 300 to 1,000 needs only a $50 license plus an administrative permit. Both require a detailed security, sanitation, and cleanup plan.
An outdoor festival including, without limitation, an outdoor circus, carnival, or other outdoor entertainment event for 1,000 or more persons on any one day of the event for which an outdoor festival license is required pursuant to sections 110.310.15 and 110.310.20 inclusive. ... An outdoor community event. The license is in addition to any administrative permit granted pursuant to section 110.310.15. ... A nonrefundable application fee of $1,000.00 for a license required pursuant to subsection 1 of section 25.265, ... The license division must receive a complete application at least 90 days prior to commencement of the event.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 20 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
265 requires a license for any outdoor festival, defined as 1,000 or more persons on any one day, and for any outdoor community event, before the event can be held in the unincorporated county, other than on Parks Department, state, tribal, or federal land. 00, and a full history of similar events the applicant has run. 275 requires 15 copies of an event plan covering security, fire protection, water supply, sanitation, medical services, parking, and traffic control, plus, for overnight events, lighting and camping arrangements, a cleanup cost estimate, and a site plan.
276 requires a sheriff's background check of the applicant and a review of the applicant's history running similar events. 279. 281 lets the board, board of adjustment, or director of community development deny an application for zoning or safety noncompliance, false statements, a history of nuisance events, or disqualifying convictions such as obscenity, lewd conduct, or violence within the past ten years.
Violations & Fines
Conducting, operating, or selling tickets to an outdoor festival or community event without the WCC 25.265 license, or continuing an event after the license is suspended or revoked, is unlawful under WCC 25.271, along with allowing disorderly conduct, illegal liquor sales, or drug possession at a licensed event. A license issued under WCC 25.283 can be suspended or revoked for these violations, cutting the event short.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far ahead do I need to apply for an outdoor festival permit in Washoe County?
What's the difference between an outdoor festival and an outdoor community event?
Can Washoe County deny a festival permit application?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Washoe County
Compare Washoe County to another location·View the Nevada special events & permits overview
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