Gulfport, FL Special Events & Permits: Block Party Permits (2026)

Section 17-30, sitting in the parks article of Chapter 17, is a single, broad grant of authority: the city council may, by resolution, authorize the temporary suspension of certain provisions of the Code and authorize city services and accommodations for special events. There is no separate application form, fee schedule or advance-notice deadline written into this section itself; a resident wanting to close a residential street for a block party petitions the council for a resolution under this authority. For larger gatherings, the Code layers on additional requirements outside Chapter 17: Section 10-12 requires a fire marshal permit for any street event, parade, festival, show, carnival or exposition expected to draw more than 600 people at once or 5,000 in a day, and Section 10-13 sets up a separate special event permit tied to fire-safety watch staffing, with the property owner or agent applying at least two weeks before the event, paying a special fee plus a 15 percent administrative charge, a fee the council may waive in whole or in part for nonprofit, charitable applicants.