Special Events & Permits in Annapolis, MD (2026)
6 verified special events & permits rules for Annapolis, Maryland, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Block Party Permits
Annapolis exempts block parties from its special event permit requirement, but only if the gathering closes no more than two blocks or one cul-de-sac and serves no alcohol on public property.
Annapolis Block Party Permit Exemption
Few RestrictionsAnnapolis City Code §§ 14.18.020.D, 14.18.050.L
"Block party" means a social gathering for neighbors living on a block, alley, or street, which requires the closure of no more than two city blocks or a single cul-de-sac, and does not involve the consumption of alcoholic beverages on any public property. ... The following special events are exempt from the requirements of this chapter: ... L. Block parties.
Park Event Permits
Events held in parks the City of Annapolis owns or administers do not need a Chapter 14.18 special event permit, except events held in Susan Campbell Park, which still require one.
Annapolis Park Event Permit Exemption
Few RestrictionsAnnapolis City Code § 14.18.050(H)
H.Special events held in parks that the City of Annapolis owns or administers, with the exception of Susan Campbell Park.I.Athletic events held exclusively on City waters.J.Athletic events taking place entirely at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium or the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium parking lot.K.Marches of the United States Naval Academy Midshipmen.L.Block parties.M.City events. (Ord. No. O...
Parade Permits
Annapolis requires a special event permit from the Special Events Coordinator before any parade, assembly, show, or exhibition uses public streets, alleys, rights-of-way, or City waters, unless it fits a narrow exemption like lawful picketing.
Annapolis Parade and Special Event Permits
Significant RestrictionsAnnapolis City Code § 11.12.050
No person or entity may hold or participate in any parade, assembly, show, meeting, or exhibition upon any of the public streets, alleys, rights-of-way, City waters, or other public property without first obtaining a permit in accordance with Chapter 14.18 of the City Code, unless as elsewhere provided in this Code. A violation of any provision of this section shall constitute a municipal infra...
Street Fair Rules
Any street fair, festival, or gathering of more than twenty-five people on Annapolis streets, alleys, or other public property needs a special event permit from the Special Events Coordinator before it can be held.
Annapolis Street Fair & Festival Permits
Significant RestrictionsAnnapolis City Code § 14.18.040
An applicant may not conduct or hold a special event without first obtaining a special event permit from the Special Events Coordinator, unless the event is exempt from the permit requirements pursuant to Section 14.18.050.B.The issuance of a special event permit does not relieve the applicant from the obligation to obtain any other applicable necessary permit(s) or license(s) as required by la...
Parklets
Annapolis lets restaurants convert City-owned on-street parking spaces into outdoor dining under a Department of Public Works street café permit, valid up to nine months a year and limited to the restaurant's own building frontage.
Annapolis Street Café Parking Permits
Significant RestrictionsAnnapolis City Code § 7.35.070
Where authorized, a restaurant may provide additional seating on City-owned street parking spaces in front of the restaurant for street café dining... A street café permit shall be valid for up to nine months from January 31 to December 13... The area of the street cafés shall not extend beyond the frontage area of the licensed premises of the licensee.
Sidewalk Dining & Cafés
Annapolis requires a City permit or lease for all outdoor dining, sidewalk cafés, street cafés, and seasonal parking lot dining, under the permanent Chapter 7.35 ordinance adopted in 2025 to replace the earlier pandemic-era pilot program.
Annapolis Outdoor Dining Program
Significant RestrictionsAnnapolis City Code § 7.35.030(B)(1)(a)-(b)
A person shall not construct, maintain, use or operate outdoor dining without first obtaining a permit or lease, as provided in this chapter. Outdoor dining shall operate only as authorized under this chapter.
Looking for Anne Arundel County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Annapolis city rules.
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