Special Events & Permits in Saint Paul, MN (2026)
5 verified special events & permits rules for Saint Paul, Minnesota, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Block Party Permits
Saint Paul requires a police-issued permit before closing any public street, sidewalk, or alley for a block party or community festival. Legislative Code § 366.04 requires the application at least 60 days ahead, written consent from 60% of adjacent property owners, and liability insurance. Fees run $50 for the first block and $25 per additional block, capped at $200, under § 366.03.
Saint Paul Block Party Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsSaint Paul Legislative Code §§ 366.01(a), 366.03(a), 366.04(a) (Permits, Fees, Requirements for a Permit)
(a)Permit required. No person or organization shall use any public street, sidewalk or alley for a block party or community festivals in the city without a permit. [Sec. 366.01(a)] ... The fee for a permit shall be fifty dollars ($50.00) for events not more than one (1) city block in length and twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for each additional block included within the area of the block party or...
Park Event Permits
Want to hold a parade, festival, rally or other public gathering in a Saint Paul park? Section 170.10(j) requires written permission from the parks director first -- 'no processions, parades, pageants, ceremonies, exhibitions, celebrations, training exercises, speeches, entertainment or other public gatherings' may take place in a park without it, and Section 170.04(a) separately covers exclusive-use picnic and playground permits.
Saint Paul Park Event & Gathering Permits
Significant RestrictionsSaint Paul Legislative Code § 170.10(j), § 170.04(a)
(j)Parades, entertainment, public meetings. No processions, parades, pageants, ceremonies, exhibitions, celebrations, training exercises, speeches, entertainment or other public gatherings shall be allowed to pass through or take place within any park except with the written permission of the director. ... (a)Games, sports, picnics; permits for exclusive use. Athletic games, sports, picnics and...
Parade Permits
Anyone staging a parade, race, or public assembly of more than 25 people in Saint Paul needs a police-issued permit under Legislative Code Sec. 366A.01. Applications carry a nonrefundable ten-dollar fee, must be filed 5 to 20 business days ahead depending on size, and no permit is granted for hours between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Saint Paul Parade And Assembly Permits
Significant RestrictionsSaint Paul Legislative Code §§ 366A.01, 366A.05, 366A.06
(a)No person shall engage in or conduct any parade, race or public assembly without a permit issued by the chief of police. ... (a)A nonrefundable fee of ten dollars ($10.00) to cover administrative costs of processing the permit shall be paid to the city by the applicant when the application is filed. ... (b)No permit shall be granted that allows a parade, race or public assembly to occur betw...
Street Fair Rules
Saint Paul restricts food vendors from muscling in on a permitted block party or community festival. Legislative Code § 366.07 bars anyone licensed under Chapter 331A for mobile food carts, food trucks, or temporary/special-event food sales, or licensed as a peddler under Chapter 345, from operating within 2,000 feet of a permitted event area without the organizers' written permission.
Saint Paul Street Fair Vendor Rules
Some RestrictionsSaint Paul Legislative Code § 366.07 (Licensed Vendors; Restrictions)
No person who is licensed under Chapter 331A with the following licenses: Customer appreciation—Food sales, Food give-away, Mobile food cart, Mobile food vehicle, Mobile food cart/vehicle nonprofit, Retail food establishment—Temporary, Special event food sales—one (1) to three (3) days, Special event food sales—four (4) to fourteen (14) days, Special event food sales—Annual, Special event food ...
Sidewalk Dining & Cafés
A Saint Paul restaurant already licensed under Legislative Code Chapter 331A can apply to the Department of Safety and Inspections for a sidewalk café license plus a separate right-of-way obstruction permit under § 106.01(b), letting it expand seating onto the sidewalk directly abutting its own premises. The city can add conditions or pull approval anytime without a hearing if health, safety or nuisance concerns arise.
Saint Paul Sidewalk Café License Rules
Significant RestrictionsSaint Paul Legislative Code § 106.01(b)
Any restaurant that is licensed under Chapter 331A of the Legislative Code, may apply to the department of safety and inspections for a sidewalk café license and a right-of-way obstruction permit to expand the operation of that restaurant onto a part, and only that part, of the public sidewalk directly abutting the property under the control of the licensed premises (hereafter referred to as si...
Looking for Ramsey County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Saint Paul city rules.
Special Events & Permits in Ramsey County →