Chesapeake, VA Special Events & Permits: Block Party Permits (2026)

Sec. 74-21 defines a "block party" as "a neighborhood party limited to a specifically stated area within the neighborhood wherein the streets will be blocked off and which is limited to a specifically stated duration." Subsection (b) then folds block parties into the same permit requirement as parades and public assemblies: "No block party, procession, parade, or public assembly shall occupy, march or proceed along any street or highway, except in accordance with a permit issued by the city manager or designee." The permit duty does not apply to the armed forces, state militia, city police or fire units, funeral processions, or "spontaneous events" that arise from news breaking within the prior five days.

Applications go to the city manager's office and must be filed at least 30 days ahead for a small block party (attendance of 499 or fewer, or one that closes only a dead-end street or cul-de-sac), 60 days ahead for 500 to 1,000 attendees or a minor-street closure needing traffic control, or 90 days ahead for anything closing a major intersection or street network. Before the permit issues, the applicant must pay a non-refundable processing fee set by the city manager; anyone who demonstrates in writing they cannot afford it, and that the fee would unreasonably curtail their right to gather, can have it waived. The city manager must act on a complete application within 15 business days, weighing traffic disruption, strain on police, fire and EMS resources, conflicts with other permitted events, and whether the organizer has designated enough monitors to keep the gathering orderly.