Pasadena, CA Special Events & Permits: Block Party Permits (2026)

Block party fees sit in Chapter 12.24 of the Pasadena Municipal Code, the excavation chapter of Title 12 (Streets and Sidewalks). The code does not print a dollar figure. Section 12.24.120 says fees are established by resolution adopted by the board of directors, so the amount comes from the adopted fee schedule, and no permit is issued or valid until the applicant has paid every fee to the city.

Two charges apply. Subsection A imposes a basic nonrefundable permit fee in addition to any other fees. Subsection B then adds a second fee, collected before the permit issues, for a list of work and service items. Item 14 is "block party and related street uses," and the code adds that the board's fee schedule can set a reduced charge for nonprofit corporations, organizations or associations. The same list includes item 10, sidewalk, parkway or roadway occupation, which shows that Pasadena prices any occupation of the public right of way as a fee-bearing permit activity.

Subsection C fixes the term: permits under this section are valid for 7 days only. Public utilities and city departments get 30 days, and only a longer period granted in advance of commencement changes that. A block party permit therefore covers a single week, including setup and takedown.

The issuing officer is the "engineer," defined in § 12.24.020(A) as the director of public works. Applications go on a form furnished by the engineer (§ 12.24.070). Under § 12.24.060(A)(5), no person may construct, leave, place or maintain any obstruction in a street without a written application and a permit, and § 12.24.020(H) defines "street" to include a public street, lane, alley, court, easement, right-of-way or other public place. Under § 12.24.090 the engineer approves the application unless the setup would unreasonably interfere with travel, with city plans for the street, or with personal property lawfully in the street, and the engineer refuses any permit that would be detrimental to the public welfare.