Special Events & Permits, Arlington Heights

If you live in Arlington Heights or are thinking about moving there, special events & permits are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Arlington Heights has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of special events & permits, and some of them might surprise you.

Block Party Permits

Arlington Heights, Illinois only allows a street to be closed to traffic when a special event is sponsored or approved by the Village. Section 18-314 makes it unlawful to drive a vehicle or bicycle inside a right-of-way closed for such an event, with an exception only for Village personnel and officer-directed traffic.

Key details: Governing section: § 18-314. Adopted: Ord. No. 2023-47, Aug. 7, 2023. Who can close a street: Village-sponsored or approved events only. Exempt persons: Village staff, officer-directed traffic. Advisory body: Special Events Commission, § 6-510.

Driving a vehicle or bicycle into a right-of-way closed for a Village-sponsored or Village-approved special event is a violation of Section 18-314, enforceable through the parking and traffic Article's general ticketing process, apart from Village personnel and persons directed by authorized Police Department officers, who are expressly exempt.

Sidewalk Dining & Cafés

Restaurants in Arlington Heights' B-5 Downtown District can place café tables on the public sidewalk, but only as an add-on to a licensed restaurant and only through a Special Use Waiver under Municipal Code Section 28-5.1-24. The Village requires a right-of-way lease, $1,000,000 in general liability coverage plus $300,000 in dram shop coverage, and limits service to 6:00 a.m. through 11:00 p.m.

Key details: Eligible district: B-5 Downtown District (public sidewalk cafés). Approval process: Special Use Waiver, § 28-8.7. Sidewalk clearance: Minimum 5 feet, obstruction-free. Insurance: $1,000,000 liability + $300,000 dram shop, "A"-rated. Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m..

Section 28-5.1-24.c bars the Village from issuing a public sidewalk café permit at all until the operator has executed the right-of-way lease, hold-harmless agreement, and required insurance. Once operating, Section 28-5.1-24.e allows the Village to revoke any outdoor café permit "at any time on 30 days' notice," independent of the required annual review, meaning noncompliance can end sidewalk seating mid-season rather than only at renewal.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Arlington Heights actively enforces its sidewalk dining & cafés requirements.

The Bottom Line

Arlington Heights's special events & permits rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Arlington Heights is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Arlington Heights can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.