Special Events & Permits in Richmond, VA (2026)
7 verified special events & permits rules for Richmond, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Block Party Permits
The Chief of Police can approve a temporary street closure in Richmond for a private purpose like a block party, closing connecting alleys too, as long as no advertising is displayed and the organizer carries $1,000,000.00 in liability insurance naming the City. A $50.00 application fee applies per street closed for a special event.
Richmond Temporary Street Closure Permits
Some RestrictionsRichmond City Code § 24-336
(a)The Chief of Police may permit the temporary use of streets within the corporate limits of the City for other than public purposes and may close such streets and alleys connected therewith for public use and travel during the period of such temporary use; provided no matter advertising any thing or business is displayed in or on the street in connection with such temporary use, and the perso...
Park Event Permits
Exclusive use of any Richmond City park, park house, playground, recreation center or public open space requires a written permit from the Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities under City Code § 8-372. Applications are first-come, first-served and generally must be filed at least 30 days ahead, and the Director can deny or revoke a permit for safety, nuisance or scheduling conflicts.
Richmond Park Reservation and Event Permits
Significant RestrictionsRichmond City Code § 8-372(a)
The Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities is authorized to issue permits for the exclusive use of any City park or portion thereof, any park house or park facility, any playground, any recreation center, or any public open space, subject to the following general terms and conditions...(3)Permit applications shall be granted on a first-come, first-served basis, and applications ...
Parade Permits
Richmond requires a written permit from the Chief of Police for any parade, public assembly of more than ten people, or marathon on public streets or property, applied for at least 15 days ahead. The $100 permit fee and content-neutral review criteria are set by ordinance.
Richmond Parade and Public Assembly Permits
Significant RestrictionsRichmond City Code § 27-417
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to conduct or participate in a marathon and walking or physical endurance contest or exhibition, public assembly, demonstration or parade on the public streets, sidewalks, or other public property of the City in a place open to the general public for which a written permit has not been issued in accordance with the provisions of this article.
Street Fair Rules
Richmond charges tiered hourly fees for street fairs and festivals held on City grounds under Richmond City Code § 8-279(c). A small gathering under 100 people with no vendors costs $50.00 per hour, but adding food or merchandise vendors, alcohol, amplified music, or 300-plus attendees pushes an event into the $100.00 or $150.00 per hour tiers.
Richmond Street Fair and Festival Ground Fees
Some RestrictionsRichmond City Code § 8-279(c)
(a)Each person shall, for the privilege of renting the public grounds and indoor facilities of park houses, recreation centers, and Reedy Creek Nature Center, be charged a user's fee as set forth in this subsection... (c)Additional fees shall be imposed as follows: Grounds fees (2)Category 2: Events that meet one or more of the following criteria $100.00 per hour with a four-hour minimum a.101—...
Commercial Filming on Public Right-of-Way
Commercial film shoots and drone filming on Richmond park property are not covered by a stand-alone film permit: they run through the same special-event permit and fee schedule as picnics and festivals. City Code § 8-279(c) sets a $125.00 drone filming permit fee tied to an FAA license and a $100.00 daily staff-cost fee per location for on-site film productions, layered onto the standard park-use permit process.
Richmond Film and Drone Permit Fees in Parks
Some RestrictionsRichmond City Code § 8-279(c)(10)-(11)
(10) Drone filming permit fee (Federal Aviation Administration license required) $125.00 (11) Staff cost for on-site film productions daily fee per location $100.00 (Code 1993, § 8-217; Code 2004, § 26-396; Code 2015, § 8-279; Code 2020, § 8-279; Ord. No. 2005-98-106, § 1, 5-31-2005; Ord. No. 2006-86-151, § 1, 5-30-2006; Ord. No. 2007-51-119, § 1, 5-29-2007; Ord. No. 2017-057, § 1, 5-15-...
Parklets
Turning a Richmond parking space into a parklet or bike corral requires a Director of Public Works permit plus Planning Commission approval of its location, character, and extent. Applicants pay a $300.00 fee, submit an engineer-stamped plan, and get written sign-off from every abutting property owner before installation.
Richmond Parklet and Pedestrian Enhancement Permits
Significant RestrictionsRichmond City Code § 24-242
(a)Permit required; enforcement. Subject to the provisions of this division, a pedestrian enhancement may be located within a portion of the right-of-way only upon approval of a pedestrian enhancement permit by the Director. No person shall establish a pedestrian enhancement unless such person has obtained a pedestrian enhancement permit, and no other use of the area devoted to the pedestrian e...
Sidewalk Dining & Cafés
Restaurants that want tables on a Richmond public sidewalk need an approved sidewalk cafe permit from the Directors of Planning and Development Review and Public Works. Applications cost $150.00, run April 1 through March 31, and require a five-foot pedestrian passageway plus liability insurance before service can start.
Richmond Sidewalk Cafe Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsRichmond City Code § 24-220
(a)Permit required; enforcement. Subject to the provisions of this division, a sidewalk cafe may be operated within a portion of the public sidewalk only upon approval of a sidewalk cafe permit as provided for in this section. No other use of the area devoted to the sidewalk cafe shall be permitted, except normal use as a public sidewalk during the hours that the sidewalk cafe is not operated.....