How to Obtain City Permits for a Block Party

To obtain city permits for a block party, plan in advance and notify the city as soon as your arrangements are set. Pay special attention to holidays or peak times, such as summer, since many cities tighten restrictions and applicants may be served on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Identification
• Proof of address or ownership

Obtain City Permits for a Block Party

1. Apply well in advance of the party date. It can take on average about four weeks to receive your permits from the city.
2. Contact the city government. Permit applications are available online or at your city's government offices.
3. Fill the forms out completely to speed up processing. You'll wait for approval, which varies from city to city. Some cities require several weeks for approval of permits while others are ready in a few days.
4. Get your permits. Arrange to pick them up at the city government offices or select to have them mailed directly to you.
5. First-timers may be asked to provide additional information. For instance, some cities may require you to obtain signatures of consent from affected persons or to distribute informational flyers within the neighborhood.
6. Keep all official documents with you when you visit the city government offices. You may be asked to provide proof of address or ownership, as well as present identification.

Take Extra Measures

7. Note special holidays or summer months. These times are generally popular times for block parties, so you may not be the only applicant.
8. Ask about cost. Many cities will provide you with block party permits for free, but some will carry minimal charges.
9. Read all enclosed materials provided by the city. Your permits will likely come with reading material that you should review carefully to ensure that all city ordinances are being followed.
10. Know that you are responsible for any barricades provided by the city. You can arrange a delivery or pick-up point. Generally, you will return the barricades to that same location.
11. Check your city's official website. Rules, regulations and advisable guidelines are listed and you can print these out and distribute them to neighbors so everyone follows them.

Tips & Warnings

• The designated host of the block party is responsible for placing and removing barricades at the official start and end of the block party.
• The city police may check up on your block party, so be sure to follow all rules to prevent any trouble with the law.

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