Albany, OR Special Events & Permits: Block Party Permits (2026)

The Albany Municipal Code has no section titled block party. The provision closest to a neighborhood street closure is § 13.32.010, Play streets, in Chapter 13.32 (Parades, Processions, Play Streets). It says the City Manager can designate specific locations on public streets and sidewalks as play streets, designating the hours when certain streets can be used as such. On a play street no person shall drive a vehicle upon the street or portion of it, except drivers of vehicles having business or whose residences are within the closed area. Those drivers must exercise the greatest care in driving upon the street.

The same power appears in the City Manager's list of powers at § 13.12.020(5)(d): designating and causing to be placed or maintained appropriate signs, marks or lines for play streets, or the hours when certain streets can be used as such. A closure in the City of Albany, Oregon therefore comes from a City Manager designation.

A block party that puts tables, food, a stage or a crowd into the roadway raises a separate question under Chapter 13.33, Temporary Right-of-Way Use Permit. Section 13.33.010 says no person shall obstruct or make use of a public street, sidewalk, or other right-of-way for the purpose of a public or private gathering, parade or processional, display advertising, offering of services, food or other merchandise, or promotional event without first obtaining a special event permit or road closure permit. The application goes on the form provided by the City and gives the name of the person or organization requesting the permit and a description of the intended use, routes, size of display, and, if required, a drawing or site plan (§ 13.33.020). The City Manager reviews each application for disruption of, or hazards to safe vehicle and pedestrian movement, and an applicant whose application is denied can appeal to the City Council (§ 13.33.030).

Two other rules apply to any gathering on a street. Section 7.68.010(1) says no person shall, except as otherwise permitted by ordinance, obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic on any sidewalk or street, and § 7.68.010(2) says no person shall fail or refuse to disperse when lawfully ordered to do so by any police officer.