Salisbury Street Performers Initiative supports live artistic performance in designated public spaces throughout the city. These guidelines help ensure performances are accessible, safe, and enjoyable for performers, residents, and visitors.
Where to Perform
Street performances may take place in public spaces throughout the City of Salisbury, including:
- Downtown Salisbury sidewalks and pedestrian areas
- City Park and other City-owned parks, plazas, and public spaces
- The Riverwalk and designated pedestrian corridors
- Other public spaces owned, maintained, or controlled by the City that are open and accessible to the public
Street performances are permitted unless otherwise restricted by law, public safety regulations, or an approved special event.
Performers must always ensure public spaces remain accessible and safe for everyone.
At all times, performers must:
- Maintain a minimum of six (6) feet of unobstructed sidewalk space for pedestrian passage
- Keep sidewalks, pedestrian pathways, and public areas accessible
- Maintain access to building entrances, exits, driveways, and public facilities
- Avoid blocking ADA-accessible ramps, crosswalks, fire lanes, or loading zones
- Position performances so they do not interfere with vehicle traffic or pedestrian movement
- Follow any additional restrictions or requirements during festivals, parades, or City-sanctioned special events
Performance Areas, Duration, and Spacing
To ensure a positive experience for performers, businesses, residents, and visitors:
Performance Locations
Performers may occupy a single performance area for no more than: 120 consecutive minutes
After completing a performance, performers must relocate to another location:
At least 100 feet away from the previous performance area
Performers may return to a previously used location later in the same day if they again comply with the time and distance requirements.
Spacing Between Performers
Active performers or performance groups must maintain: A minimum distance of 100 feet from another active performer or performance group
This requirement helps:
- Maintain pedestrian access
- Reduce excessive noise overlap
- Provide performers with a reasonable opportunity to be heard and seen
Performers may collaborate or perform together by mutual agreement.
What Is Allowed
Salisbury Street Performers welcomes a variety of live artistic expression and public entertainment, including:
- Live music and acoustic performances
- Singing and vocal performances
- Dance and movement-based performances
- Magic, illusion, and street performance arts
- Juggling and circus-style acts
- Mime and theatrical performances
- Poetry, spoken word, and similar creative expressions
- Other forms of live entertainment that comply with City safety and conduct requirements
Additional Permitted Elements
Performers may:
- Accept voluntary tips and donations from the public
- Use an open instrument case, hat, or similar receptacle for donations
- Display small, unobtrusive signs related to their performance
- Display QR codes or electronic payment information, provided there is no verbal solicitation
- Participate as a youth performer when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
Tips and Donations
Performers may accept voluntary tips or donations.
To maintain a welcoming public environment:
- Donations must be offered freely by the public
- Performers may not verbally or physically solicit donations
- Performers may not obstruct, pressure, harass, or interfere with pedestrians
- Open instrument cases, hats, or similar receptacles are permitted for passive solicitation
- Small and unobtrusive signs may accompany donation receptacles
The sale of merchandise, recordings, or other goods is not permitted unless separately authorized through an applicable vendor permit.
Amplification and Noise
Amplification is permitted; however:
- Sound levels must comply with the City’s noise regulations
- Performances may not unreasonably disturb nearby businesses, residents, or public activities
- The City may require a reduction in volume or cessation of amplified sound if it creates a disturbance
What Is Not Allowed
To maintain safe, accessible, and welcoming public spaces, the following are prohibited:
Safety-Related Restrictions
- Fire, flame effects, fireworks, or pyrotechnics
- Weapons, knives, or sharp-object acts
- Hazardous materials or dangerous stunts
- Use of live animals in performances
- Any performance activity that creates an unsafe environment for the public
Public Space Use Requirements
Performers may not:
- Block sidewalks, entrances, exits, ADA ramps, crosswalks, driveways, loading zones, or fire lanes
- Obstruct pedestrian or vehicle movement
- Occupy a performance location longer than the permitted 120-minute limit
- Return to a previous location without meeting spacing and time requirements
- Perform within the footprint of an active City-sanctioned festival, parade, or special event unless authorized
Conduct and Content Standards
Performers must not engage in:
- Harassment, intimidation, or interference with pedestrians
- Excessive noise or amplification that violates City standards
- Explicit, obscene, sexually inappropriate, or unsuitable public performances, including nudity, simulated sexual acts, or pornographic imagery
- Conduct that creates a safety concern or disrupts public use of City spaces
Hours of Operation
Street performances are permitted: Daily from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Exceptions may be approved for City-sanctioned festivals, parades, or special events.
Youth Performers
Youth performers are welcome to participate.
Any performer 16 years of age or younger must be accompanied on-site by a parent or legal guardian.
Youth performers must follow all applicable safety, accessibility, and conduct requirements.
Special Events and Festivals
City-sanctioned festivals, parades, and special events may have additional requirements or temporary exceptions related to:
- Performance locations
- Hours of operation
- Amplification
- Safety requirements
- Participation authorization
Performers participating in special events must comply with any written conditions established by the City.
Community Expectations
Salisbury Street Performers is designed to support a vibrant, welcoming, and shared public experience.
Performers are responsible for:
- Keeping their performance area clean and free of trash, props, or materials
- Respecting nearby businesses, residents, visitors, and other performers
- Maintaining safe and accessible public spaces throughout the day
- Following City regulations and working cooperatively with City staff and public safety officials
The City’s goal is to encourage artistic expression while ensuring public spaces remain safe, accessible, and enjoyable for everyone.
Complaints and Enforcement
Questions or concerns regarding street performances may be directed to the Salisbury Police Department.
When possible, the City will prioritize education and communication to encourage compliance. Violations may be addressed through the enforcement procedures and penalties established by the City of Salisbury.