Olympia, WA Special Events & Permits: Block Party Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- Olympia Municipal Code §§ 10.64.010 to 10.64.050
- Who can close the street
- Chief of police or acting chief of police
- Who must request it
- The sponsor of the public event
- Takes effect only after
- Affected streets are posted with signs
- Reporting duty
- Chief reports street closures to the city council
- Enforcement
- Infraction under OMC Chapter 10.24 and RCW 46.63; impoundment possible
Summary
In the City of Olympia, Washington, the chief of police can close a street to vehicle travel or restrict parking for a public event, but only on a request from the event's sponsor and only after the affected streets are posted with signs. Violating the posted closure is an infraction, and the vehicle can be impounded.
For purposes of this chapter, a "public event" shall include any festival, celebration, fair, rally, sporting event or similar occurrence which is open to the public and is conducted, at least in part, on city streets or other city-owned property. ... A. The chief of police or acting chief of police, may close to vehicle travel and/or restrict parking on any street or portion thereof within the city to accommodate activities of a public event. Such closure shall be done upon a request therefor from the sponsor of a public event. The chief shall report to the city council street closures administered pursuant to this section. B. In addition, no such closure or parking restriction shall become effective until the affected streets are posted with signs in a manner to reasonably inform the public of such closure or parking restrictions.
Full Breakdown
Olympia Municipal Code Chapter 10.64 is the City's street closure rule for events held on city streets. Block parties are not listed by name. The definition in § 10.64.010 reaches any festival, celebration, fair, rally, sporting event or similar occurrence which is open to the public and is conducted, at least in part, on city streets or other city-owned property, so whether a given neighborhood gathering qualifies turns on that wording.
Under § 10.64.020, the chief of police or acting chief of police can close to vehicle travel and/or restrict parking on any street or portion of a street within the City of Olympia to accommodate the activities of a public event. The closure happens upon a request from the sponsor of the public event, so the sponsor starts the process. The chief must report to the city council the street closures administered under the section. Chapter 10.64 as printed sets no application form or fee; the decision rests with the chief.
A closure is not effective on request alone. No closure or parking restriction becomes effective until the affected streets are posted with signs in a manner to reasonably inform the public of the closure or parking restrictions. Sponsors planning an event should treat the signage as the step that makes the closure enforceable.
Once the notice is posted, § 10.64.030 makes it unlawful to violate its terms, either by parking a vehicle in a place or during the time proscribed in it or by driving or parking a vehicle upon a street that is closed. Under § 10.64.040, violating any provision of a street closure is an infraction enforced as provided in Chapter 10.24 of the Olympia Municipal Code and RCW 46.63. Section 10.64.050 adds that a police officer can order the impoundment or removal to a place of safety of any vehicle in violation of a closure, in addition to a notice of infraction. A place of safety includes the business location of a registered towing operator, and notice of the removal or impoundment must be given in accord with RCW 46.52.190.
Violations & Fines
Parking in a place or during a time restricted by the posted notice, or driving or parking on a closed street, violates OMC § 10.64.030. Under § 10.64.040 it is an infraction enforced under Chapter 10.24 of the Olympia Municipal Code and RCW 46.63. Under § 10.64.050 a police officer can also order the vehicle impounded or removed to a place of safety, including a registered towing operator's business location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who approves a street closure for an event in the City of Olympia?
Who has to ask for the closure?
When does an Olympia street closure actually take effect?
Can a car be towed from a closed street in Olympia?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Olympia
Compare Olympia to another location·View the Washington special events & permits overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.