Farmington Hills, MI Special Events & Permits: Block Party Permits (2026)

Under § 5-102, Farmington Hills defines "special event" to include block parties, and § 5-121 bars anyone from conducting one without first procuring a license. The city clerk accepts applications under § 5-122(a), which must list the organizer's name and address, the exact location or parcel number, the dates and hours of the party, the maximum number of attendees per day, and whether the applicant owns the property or has the owner's written consent. Section 5-122(c) requires the completed application at least 30 days before the event; the city manager may waive lateness only for "exceptional circumstances" with enough time left for review.

A nonrefundable fee, set by the city, is due once the application is approved. Section 5-125 blocks any license where the location is not a permitted use under the zoning ordinance (chapter 34) unless it qualifies as a general exception or the zoning board of appeals grants approval. Section 5-128 makes a cash cleanup bond and either an indemnification agreement or proof of liability insurance naming the city as additional insured a condition of issuance. Section 5-126(a) lets the city manager approve, condition, or deny license applications for events not open to the public, reporting each approval to city council; a denied applicant may file a written appeal with the city clerk within 21 days.

Other applications go directly to city council under § 5-126(b). Licenses run for a period the city sets and, per § 5-127, are not renewable, so a recurring block party must reapply each time.