Learn About Permits Required for Certain Sales and Services on City Streets

All events and personal services on University Hill and Pearl Street require permits.

Activity Permit Overview

Permit Information

Important Rules for the Pearl Street Mall and City Property

  • Selling merchandise, art, crafts, or other goods is not allowed on the Pearl Street Mall or any other city-owned property.
  • Soliciting donations for merchandise is also prohibited.

Street Performers / Musicians

  • Acoustic performances (vocal or instrumental) are allowed without a permit.
  • Amplified sound is not allowed on the Pearl Street Mall.
  • If your performance lasts longer than 30 minutes, please move to a different block after each 30-minute set.

Planning an Event in Boulder's Commercial Districts?

If you're planning any type of event in the following areas:

  • University Hill General Improvement District (UHGID)
  • Central Area General Improvement District (CAGID)
  • Business Improvement District (BID)

Please contact Special Events by emailing specialevents@bouldercolorado.gov.

You can view a map of these districts on the Commercial Districts page.

Ambulatory Vending Permit

When is it needed?

Ambulatory vendors are individuals who provide mobile services or sales on the Pearl Street Mall. This includes:

  • Caricature, portrait, or landscape artists (using non-airborne mediums)
  • Balloon and balloon sculpture sellers
  • Flower vendors
  • Shoe shine services

Important Guidelines

  • These vendors must be mobile — staying in one fixed location is not permitted.
  • Spray paint, airbrush, or other airborne mediums are not allowed.
  • These permits apply only to the types of services listed above.
  • There is no limit to the number of permits issued.
  • A City of Boulder and State of Colorado sales tax license is required.

Submit the application

Café Seating Permit

What is it for?

Temporary outdoor seating in front of an established café or coffee shop in the downtown BID or University Hill commercial area. Characterized by no liquor license, no table service, and all seating is removed each night.

  • General liability certificate of insurance is required, naming the City of Boulder its officials and employees as the certificate holder. Coverage minimums are 1M per occurrence and 2M aggregate.

Learn More and Apply

Free Speech Advocacy Gathering Request

Things to know

  • An Advocacy Reservation Request is a way for advocacy groups to notify the City of Boulder in advance when planning a public visibility event on city property or within the public right-of-way.
  • This process is not intended to restrict any group's First Amendment right to free speech - it simply helps coordinate public space use.
  • If you are a nonprofit advocacy group planning outreach or fundraising on the Pearl Street Mall, please use the Pearl Street Mall Advocacy Outreach permit.

Fill and submit the online form

Pearl Street Mall Advocacy Outreach

Who is it for?

Nonprofits seeking donations or promoting political or social causes on the Pearl Street Mall.

  • There are 22 spaces for Advocacy Permits on the Pearl Street Mall and a specific space is assigned.
  • This permit has no fee.

Get the form

Personal Service Permit

Who is it for?

Personal services are permitted in assigned locations on the Pearl Street Mall and include:

  • Psychic or tarot readings
  • Massage
  • Face painting
  • Henna application

Note: These permits are for services only. Goods may not be displayed, exchanged, or sold.

Permit Details

  • A total of eight permits are available each month
  • Permits are valid for one calendar month
  • Locations are assigned through a lottery system
  • Permits cannot be used during special events that require paid vendor booth space

Submit the application

Special Entertainment Permit

Things to know

These permits apply to performance-based acts that involve specialized equipment or high-risk elements, such as:

  • Stilts
  • Fire performance
  • Juggling
  • Slacklines
  • Unicycles
  • Knives
  • Hula hoops
  • Whips
  • Any equipment taller than 6 feet

Permit Requirements

  • Permits are issued for one calendar month
  • A General Liability insurance certificate is required
  • Must name the City of Boulder, its officials, and employees as additional insured
  • The certificate holder must be:
    City of Boulder
    1500 Pearl Street, Suite 302
    Boulder, CO 80302
  • A sales tax license is not required

Submit the application

Permit Applications

Other Activity Permits

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