Memphis, TN Special Events & Permits: Block Party Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit
- Temporary Road/Alley Closure Permit
- Base fee
- $50.00 flat
- Daily fee
- $50.00 per day closed
- Advance notice required
- 10 calendar days
- Issuing office
- Division of Engineering
- Violation penalty
- Class C misdemeanor, $50/day
Summary
Memphis residents who want to close a residential street or alley for a block party must get a Temporary Road/Alley Closure Permit from the Division of Engineering, costing $50 flat plus $50 per day the road stays closed. Applications need at least ten calendar days' advance notice, and closing a street without the permit is a Class C misdemeanor.
e.Temporary Road/Alley Closure Permit Fee .....$50.00 (plus $50.00 per day the Road/Alley is closed) ... C.Engineering permit fees:1.The division of engineering shall establish all rules, regulations, and permit requirements associated with the above referenced engineering permit fees. Applicants will be required to give the division of engineering at least ten calendar days of advance notice on all permit requests unless the request is associated with a natural disaster or public emergency. ... 3.Penalty of violation: It shall be a violation of this chapter for any individual to block a portion of the public right-of-way or commence activity that requires a permit without first obtaining the required permit from the division of engineering. Anyone found in violation of this chapter commits a Class C misdemeanor and shall be subject to a $50.00 fine for each day that the violation remains in effect. Violators will also be required to retroactively pay all associated permit fees.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 32 | Charter: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
The City of Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-22-7 sets the permit and fee structure the Division of Engineering uses for any temporary blockage of a public right-of-way, including the Temporary Road/Alley Closure Permit that covers neighborhood block parties. 00 per day if the party also blocks a sidewalk. Applicants must give the division at least ten calendar days' advance notice on all permit requests unless the request stems from a natural disaster or public emergency (§ 2-22-7(C)(1)), and the division sets the specific rules, regulations, and permit requirements for how the closure is administered.
Fees can be waived under § 2-22-7(C)(2) for city crews or contractors doing roadway/sidewalk work, for federal, state, or county infrastructure projects, for Memphis Police Department investigation closures, or for closures the Police Department or the city's Permits office approves for special events and public-safety needs: a private block party does not qualify for those waivers and pays the standard fee. Fees are paid to the city engineer when the permit is ready to be executed, except the plans review fee, which is paid in advance (§ 2-22-7(B)). This fee schedule was last amended by Ordinance No. 5766, § 1, effective 1-5-2021.
Violations & Fines
Blocking any part of a public right-of-way, or starting an activity that requires a permit, without first getting the Division of Engineering permit is a violation of Chapter 2-22 and a Class C misdemeanor under § 2-22-7(C)(3). Violators face a $50.00 fine for every day the violation continues and must retroactively pay all the permit fees that would have applied, in addition to the fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a permit to close my street for a block party in Memphis?
How much does a temporary street closure permit cost in Memphis?
What happens if I close a street without a permit in Memphis?
Can the street closure fee be waived for a Memphis block party?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Memphis
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