Nicholasville, KY Special Events & Permits: Block Party Permits (2026)

Nicholasville does not print a stand-alone block party ordinance. Street closures for neighborhood events run through Chapter 4, Sec. 4-3 (Ord. No. 051-2021, 8-23-21), which treats a street closure as one form of special event. Sec. 4-3.1 defines a special event as any activity on private or public property that will affect, or is likely to affect, the ordinary use of public property, public streets, rights-of-way, on street parking, or sidewalks, and it names street closures in that list. Sec. 4-3.2(a) bars anyone from engaging in, participating in, aiding, forming or starting a special event without a permit from the Director of General Government.

The fee schedule in Sec. 4-3.3(e) is $100 for a special event permit and $50 for a special event permit/barricaded street closure (for side streets/alleys only), payable at filing to the City of Nicholasville Finance Department. A series of events needs a separate fee for each requested event. The application goes to the Director of General Government not less than thirty (30) days before the event. A later filing incurs a nonrefundable $500 late fee (excluding first-time events) and needs special permission. The applicant must show picture identification proving he or she is at least eighteen (18) years of age, and the required site plan must show blocked streets, proposed parking, and the fire lane.

Sec. 4-3.6 sets conditions for issuance. They include proof of comprehensive liability insurance with limits of no less than $1,000,000, public notice no less than fourteen (14) days before the event by newspaper, radio, television, social media and/or flyers delivered to properties along the route, and a requirement that the special event be open to the public. If the event requires restricting parking, the city installs the "No Parking" signs twenty-four (24) hours in advance and the permit holder returns the signs to the Nicholasville Police Department. Sec. 4-3.7(d) requires a $250 damage deposit for any event, refunded when city staff find no damage and no clean-up needed. Under Sec. 4-3.9(a), the Director must act on the application within thirty (30) days, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays excepted.