A block party consists of a temporary closure of a public street to allow surrounding residents to hold informal neighborhood gatherings. The City is committed to supporting such activities among its residents, provided certain guidelines are observed to ensure the safety of participants and to preserve the City’s ability to protect its residents and assets. The following guidelines are established to achieve these goals:

1. Block party application must be submitted no less than 10 business days prior and no more than 60 days before the desired event date. No application will be accepted outside of that window. Halloween application submission begins September 1.
2. A maximum period of four (4) hours will be allowed for any block party road closure.
3. No road closures are permitted before 6pm on weekdays (except holidays). No road closure may extend past 8pm on any day.
4. Block parties are not permitted on roads designated as collectors or arterials. Other locations on residential streets will not be approved for closure if determined to be unsafe by the City, at its sole discretion. Locations at the end of cul-de-sacs are recommended.
5. A block party may not occupy more than one city block.
6. No more than one block party may occur on a block during the same day.
7. The City will only approve three (3) block parties per day due to availability of City resources and projected transportation impacts.
8. Commercial entrances/exits may not be blocked without prior written authorization from the commercial tenants affected.
9. Fliers/notices/invitations shall be distributed by the applicant to all impacted residents at least seven (7) days in advance of the road closure.
10. A responsible adult must attend the barricaded section at each end of the road closure at all times and be prepared and able to move the barricades during an emergency.
11. All noise ordinance restrictions must be adhered to within the designated timeframe and within responsible volumes.
12. Trash and recycling management is the responsibility of the applicant. All trash and recycling must be promptly removed from public right-of-way at the conclusion of the event.
13. A clearance of 15 feet on each side of fire hydrants along the street is required. In addition, a three foot clearance completely around all fire hydrants is required.
14. Tables, stages, or other equipment or structures may not be set up in the middle of a street. A 20 feet minimum width clearance shall be maintained along the center of the street.
15. The Superintendent of Public Works, Director of Public Works, Police or Fire Officer can cancel the block party for any emergency or public safety need at any time.
16. The following are not allowed on public streets: open flames, bounce houses, or open containers of alcohol.
17. Event participants are responsible for maintaining a safe environment and agree to hold harmless the City and its representatives in case of an incident during or associated with a block party.