Baltimore County, MD Special Events & Permits: Block Party Permits (2026)

' The rule applies to any special event or occasion that lacks regularity and permanence, whether or not admission is charged, but it doesn't reach a house of worship's religious services, a fraternal, political, or civic group's regular meetings, or a gathering in a private residence. A nonprofit person, club, association, or corporation must get a permit from the Director before holding the entertainment, picnic, or gathering, and must file an application on the Director's form for each event. As long as the applicant meets the subtitle's requirements, the Director issues the permit without charging a fee and sets the permit's duration.

The broader event-permitting scheme in § 21-9-106 lets a nonprofit gathering application under § 21-9-104 skip the standard 60-day lead time; it can be filed as late as 14 calendar days before the event and is exempt from the security-plan, prior-events-list, and multi-agency review requirements unless the Director asks for them. Where the permit authorizes closing a public street or highway, § 21-9-108(b) lets the county require the permit holder to keep a clear path at least 10 feet wide open at all times so emergency vehicles can still get through.

The permit holder is also responsible for keeping the street clean during the event, removing all equipment and materials afterward, and reimbursing the county for any damage to public property.