Waukegan, IL Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)

A street fair or festival counts as a special event whenever it is conducted primarily outdoors, interferes with pedestrian or vehicular traffic, or requires special city services such as street closures, barricades, garbage collection, parking arrangements, or added police presence (Sec. 15-176). The permit application under Sec. 15-180 must include a full site plan showing the location, size and number of stages, seating, tents, canopies, food service booths, first aid stations, portable restrooms and other temporary structures, plus the size and content of signage, the location of loudspeakers, controlled entrances and exits, and an emergency evacuation plan.

Organizers must submit a master vendor list no later than 15 business days before the event, and every vendor's registration and fee must be filed on the same 15-day timeline. If food or beverages will be served, the application must include copies of the vendors' licenses or permits, and Sec. 15-190 requires food and beverage service to comply with the city's food and food establishment ordinances and applicable food and beverage taxes. Tents, canopies and other temporary structures must also meet the fire code and building code under Sec.

15-189, though a separate building permit is not required once the special event permit issues, and the fire chief can order immediate revocation of the permit for noncompliance. Portable sanitary facilities must be shown on the site plan when the mayor or public works director determines they are needed (Sec. 15-191).