Philadelphia Code Section 11-105 requires permits for block parties and street events. Block parties need signatures from 75% of block households; non-block-party events need 90%. Applications must be filed at least 6 weeks in advance.
Philadelphia Code Section 11-105 (Block Parties and Other Special Events) requires a permit from the Streets Department for any event that closes a street to traffic. Applications must be submitted at least 6 weeks before the event through the Streets Department's online portal (stsweb.phila.gov/blockParty/). For a block party, the applicant must submit a petition signed by 75% of households on the block, including condominiums and apartments. For non-block-party events (such as festivals or community fairs), a petition with signatures from 90% of block households is required. If the event includes admission charges, amusement rides, or sale of merchandise, a separate permit from the Department of Licenses and Inspections is required. The Streets Department coordinates barricade placement. Events must maintain emergency vehicle access. Amplified sound must comply with city noise ordinances. Block party permits are free, but the event organizer is responsible for cleanup.
Holding a street event without a permit violates Section 11-105. Events may be shut down by police. Failure to clean up within the required timeframe results in fines.
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