Tempe, AZ Special Events & Permits: Block Party Permits (2026)

Section 5-2 of the general code, in Chapter 5 (Amusements), requires a permit for any outdoor public gathering or celebration involving the use of City-owned properties that includes entertainment, amusements, festivals, parades, walks, runs or bicycle rides, amplified sound, a participation fee, sale of merchandise, food or alcohol, or any activity that is open to the public, which is the provision that covers a neighborhood block party held on a City street. Subsection (b) separately routes any parade, run, walk or bicycle ride that will use or impact City streets or rights-of-way to comply with Section 19-43 on top of the special event permit itself.

The promoter or sponsoring organization must apply to the City Manager or a designee at least 60 days before the event and pay a non-refundable application fee, plus a per-day permit fee once approved; late applications carry an additional fee. The City Manager circulates the application to other departments, which can condition issuance on stipulations such as hiring public safety or security staff, erecting security fencing, providing sanitary facilities, replacing any accessible parking spaces the event displaces, or posting a performance bond. A permit can be denied if the event would be detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of the public or nearby residents, or would place an undue burden on City services, though a denied applicant has 14 days to request reconsideration from the Community Services Director.

Nonprofit charitable, educational or civic sponsors can get the fee refunded if net proceeds go to a qualifying charitable purpose and the allocation is completed within 60 days of the event.