Jackson, MS Special Events & Permits: Block Party Permits (2026)

The City of Jackson Code of Ordinances, Chapter 14, Article IV (the "City of Jackson Special Events Ordinance"), defines a block party as "a gathering of neighbors or businesses for the purpose of fellowship, the beautification of an area, or the exposure of the residents to the arts or music, that may or may not require the blocking of any city street," including barbeques, picnics, music, games and dances (Sec. 14-178). Under Sec. 14-180, anyone wanting to conduct or sponsor a block party (along with parades, athletic events or festivals) must first obtain a special event permit from the special events coordinator, a Jackson Police Department representative; the only exemptions are city-sponsored events and funeral processions.

Applications go to the special events coordinator on a city form and, per Sec. 14-181, must be filed not less than 15 and no more than 30 days before the event, though late filings can be accepted for good cause. The coordinator, per Sec. 14-183, must act within four working days on non-route events. Permits are classified by expected personnel hours and attendance under Sec. 14-190: a Class D permit, covering events of 200 people or fewer needing no city services, carries no application, permit or sanitation fee, while a Class C permit (under 500 attendees) runs a $10 application fee, $30 permit fee and $20 sanitation fee.

Applicants must sign an indemnification agreement (Sec. 14-188) and, unless waived for Class D events, carry liability insurance (Sec. 14-189). Sec. 14-191 requires cleanup of the site within 12 hours of the event's end, backed by a cleanup deposit tied to the permit class.