West New York, NJ Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)

Chapter 117, Article V of the Town of West New York code requires a license, issued by and in the name of the Town, to conduct any show or performance where an entrance fee or other fees are charged. Section 117-45 lists circuses, carnivals, traveling shows, amusement places with roller coasters, scenic railways, merry-go-rounds and Ferris wheels, concerts, plays, motion picture shows, theaters, open-air bathing pools and skating rinks. A second sentence requires a license to conduct or carry on street parades.

Section 117-46 allows no license for a circus, carnival, traveling show or ride-operating amusement place unless a religious, charitable or other nonprofit organization sponsors the event, and exempts events the Town itself sponsors. Under Section 117-47 the applicant files in writing with the Town Clerk at least 10 days before the next regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, describing the event, its location, the owners and the manager in charge. Licenses run to December 31 and are not transferable without the Board's consent. Fees are $50 for each day for circuses, carnivals and ride operations, $5 for each day for concerts, plays or motion picture shows, and $500 per annum for theaters, open-air bathing pools and skating rinks.

Section 117-48 makes the organizer of a transient event responsible for cleaning the area and paying for law enforcement security, with a $250 deposit held by the Town Clerk. Section 117-50 lets the Board waive the license fee for religious, charitable or other nonprofit organizations holding an event for a religious, charitable or community purpose, though they must follow the article in every other respect.

Vendors face separate chapters. Under Chapter 254, Section 254-2(B), mobile food permits are not issued on 60th Street, Kennedy Boulevard or Kennedy Boulevard East except for special events the Mayor and Board of Commissioners approve. The Health Officer then issues the vendor license for $50 per day with a $500 security deposit, and no more than 75 special events licenses are issued at one time. Under Chapter 201, a sale that allocates space to itinerant merchants needs a flea market license, a $2,500 bond, a $250 fee, runs no longer than two consecutive days, and cannot run between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. or during December.