Mobile, AL Special Events & Permits: Block Party Permits (2026)

"Block party" is defined broadly as "any gathering, assembly or group celebration of any kind, in or upon any street, park or other public place in the city," which means casual neighborhood gatherings that spill onto a public street trigger the same permit process as a formal event. Only a governmental agency acting within its normal functions is exempt. The organizer files with the police chief 15 to 30 days ahead (the mayor can accept a late filing, down to 10 days out, for good cause), naming the organizer, the block party chairman responsible for the event, the date, location, expected number of attendees and entertainment, start and end times, and whether the party will use the whole street or only part of it; a $5 fee is due at filing and is not tied to event size.

The police department weighs the same public-safety factors used for parades: traffic disruption, how many officers or ambulances the event would divert, fire equipment access, injury or disorder risk, and whether the gathering is really commercial advertising rather than a genuine celebration. A decision is due within 10 days of filing; a denial is mailed within 11 days with the department's reasons, and the department can offer an alternate date, time, or location instead, which the applicant has three days to accept in writing. Once issued, the city clerk, city attorney, fire chief, and any affected transit operator are notified, and the permit itself states the start time and which streets the party may occupy. The police chief can revoke the permit if the block party stops meeting the standards that got it approved.