Block party permits, street closure permits, and community event regulations.
Special Events & Permits rules vary widely between U.S. cities and counties. What is permitted in one jurisdiction may carry fines or require permits in another. These differences matter whether you are a homeowner, renter, landlord, or business owner.
We research each city's municipal code, official department guidelines, and council records to summarize the rules that affect daily life. Every entry links to the original source so you can verify the details yourself. Browse the topics below to explore specific special events & permits regulations by city.
How to get a permit to close your street for a block party, including application timelines, neighbor consent requirements, and insurance needs.
Permits required for organized events in public parks, including group size thresholds, amplified sound rules, and reservation procedures.
Licensing and space requirements for restaurants using sidewalk space for outdoor dining, including ADA clearance, furniture standards, and seasonal rules.
How parades and processions are permitted, including route approval, traffic-control requirements, insurance, and First Amendment carve-outs for political marches.
Permits and operating standards for street fairs and farmers markets, including vendor sourcing, alcohol handling, and street closure procedures.
How filming permits intersect with special-event permits when productions take over streets or parks, including FilmLA coordination and resident notification.
LA's permanent outdoor-dining program (post-COVID), including permit fees, design standards, and the difference between sidewalk, parking-lane, and parklet placements.
Curbside parklets converting parking spaces into outdoor dining or public seating, including LADOT People St guidelines, ADA, and seasonal-removal rules.
Use of sidewalk space for non-cafe dining (food halls, pop-ups), including encroachment permits and ADA-clearance standards beyond the standard sidewalk-cafe permit.
Permit and propane-storage requirements for outdoor patio heaters at restaurants and bars, including LAFC §61 propane limits and CARB emissions rules.