A “Neighborhood Block Party” is an activity of a recreational or civic nature sponsored by the residents of a neighborhood, for which the residents seek to close a block of their street and for which there is no admission or entrance fee. Other requests for street closure may be made via a Special Events Permit Application.
Submitting an Application
Please submit Block Party Permit applications via the Transportation Online Permitting System (TOPS) a minimum of 30 business days before a planned block party. Applications are subject to required review by several District agency stakeholders before final approval.
Criteria
The following conditions govern street closures for Neighborhood Block Parties:
- The applicant/sponsor must be an adult District resident (21 years or older) residing on the block to be closed.
- The applicant/sponsor must provide government-issued identification with an address within the block listed on the application.
- Businesses, churches, and organizations that have headquarters, offices, or a meeting place in the District and have been in existence for more than sixty (60) days may submit an application. The application must be submitted by an authorized officer of the organization and three adult co-sponsors who satisfy the above residency requirement.
- The applicant/sponsor must obtain the consent of 51 percent of households on the block.
- The area is limited to one block and may not exceed two intersecting streets.
- Block parties may not be held in front of an alley or in an alleyway. Alleys may not be obstructed.
- The street must be reopened no later than 10 pm.
- Accessibility for emergency equipment via an unobstructed 20-foot emergency access lane must be maintained during the block party.
- Street closure/no parking signs must be posted at least 72 hours prior to the block party date.
- The block party may not include rental equipment, including, but not limited to, dunking booths, moon bounces, stages, tents, etc.
- Vending and vendors are prohibited, whether accepting payment or not.
- No donations, fees, or sales shall be solicited or accepted at the event.
- Sponsorship and/or advertising, whether direct or indirect, is prohibited.
Required Documents
- Online application submitted through the Transportation Online Permitting System (TOPS).
- Upload the following:
- Copy of applicant/sponsor government-issued identification.
- Copy of completed petition, signed and dated by the applicant/sponsor.
- Block Party Application Traffic Control Plan (TCP). This may be hand-drawn using a DDOT-provided template. Please contact the Occupancy Permits team for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DDOT the only Block Party Application approver? No, Block Party applications are subject to required review by several District stakeholder safety and other agencies. DDOT may only issue Block Party Permits after approval from required stakeholder agencies. Any reviewing agency may object to the application.
Why does it take up to 30 days to approve a Block Party application? Block Party applications are subject to required review by several District stakeholder agencies. The reviewers are extended a reasonable period to review and comment. The review time may also be extended if the application is submitted without the required documents and returned to the applicant for completion.
May I use signatures by residents from surrounding blocks? No, all signatures must be from residents of the block listed on the application.
What is a Traffic Control Plan? A Traffic Control Plan (TCP) addresses traffic safety and control for any traffic obstruction in the District right of way. It shows modifications in the roadway that affect bicycle, pedestrian, and vehicular traffic patterns and shows safe alternatives and efficient movement of traffic during street closures. The Block Party TCP may be completed on a provided template and will identify the street to be closed, cross streets, fire lane, and traffic control devices used, such as cones. Please request the DDOT Block Party Traffic Control Plan.
How many blocks may be included for a block party? One block is the maximum permitted space for block party usage. A block is considered from the corner of a street to the next corner or nearest alley entrance point. Alley entrances/exits may not be obstructed.
Who is responsible for closing the roadway access to the block? The applicant/sponsor is responsible for using personal vehicles and safety equipment to secure and safely close off the Block Party location.
Who should I contact with Block Party questions? Please contact Public Space Regulation Division (PSRD), Occupancy Permitting Team | Greer A. Hill, Citywide Occupancy Permits Manager [email protected] | Dortensia Bundy, Occupancy Permitting Specialist [email protected].
