Special Events & Permits in Birmingham, AL (2026)
4 verified special events & permits rules for Birmingham, Alabama, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Block Party Permits
Birmingham has no separate "block party permit" form: closing a public street for an event runs through the city council's general authority to shut down a public way for safety or health reasons. Police, fire and the city engineer can also close a street on their own in an emergency or during construction.
Birmingham Street Closures Need Council OK
Significant RestrictionsBirmingham Code of Ordinances § 4-5-14
The council may, whenever it deems necessary for the protection of health, or for the safety of persons or property, temporarily close any public way or portion thereof against entry or passage of persons and vehicles thereon, and, in case of an emergency of fire or other calamity, the chief of police or chief of the fire department may temporarily close any public way or portion thereof agains...
Parade Permits
Birmingham requires a permit from the city traffic engineer before any parade, demonstration, race, or special event uses city streets, sidewalks, or city-owned property. Nonprofit demonstrations cost $25 with three working days' notice; for-profit events run up to $1,500 for an eight-hour block. Public-safety officials can deny or reroute permits.
Birmingham Parade and Special Event Permits
Some RestrictionsBirmingham Code of Ordinances § 12-5-22(a)
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to organize or hold, assist in organizing or holding or to take part or participate in any nonprofit or charitable demonstration, special event or race on:(1)The streets or other public ways of the city used for vehicular traffic unless a permit therefor has been obtained from the city traffic engineer or his or her designated representative;(2)City-owned ...
Street Fair Rules
Birmingham lets vendors sell at a permitted sidewalk or street sale inside the downtown study area and neighborhood retail districts under § 12-14-4, but only if a nonprofit or merchants association runs the event, the mayor issues a permit, and every vendor holds a current city business license. Each event tops out at seven days, twice a year per district.
Birmingham Street Fair Vendor Rules
Some RestrictionsBirmingham Code of Ordinances § 12-14-4(3)-(4)
(3)Paintings, sculpture, artwork, handicrafts, antiques, precious and semi-precious stones and rocks, geological artifacts, vegetables and farm products, food and beverages, and other special merchandise or products when sold as a part of a special sidewalk or street sale operated by a nonprofit organization or merchants association for a limited number of days not to exceed seven, provided tha...
Sidewalk Dining & Cafés
A Birmingham restaurant that wants to serve customers on the sidewalk needs an outdoor cafe permit from the city engineer, not just a business license. The permit requires the design review committee's sign-off, a minimum five feet of clear pedestrian space, and a $25.00 nonrefundable application fee.
Birmingham Outdoor Cafe Sidewalk Permit
Significant RestrictionsBirmingham Code of Ordinances § 4-5-193
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to create, establish, operate, maintain or otherwise be engaged in the business of running an outdoor cafe upon the sidewalks in the city unless he or she shall hold a currently valid permit issued under the terms of this article; and no permit shall be issued hereunder unless the applicant can demonstrate that a minimum of five feet of unobstructed, paved...
Looking for Jefferson County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Birmingham city rules.
Special Events & Permits in Jefferson County →