Special Events & Permits in Minnesota (2026)
28 rules on the books across Minnesota, 11 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Block Party Permits
How to get a permit to close your street for a block party, including application timelines, neighbor consent requirements, and insurance needs.
Minneapolis
Significant RestrictionsMinneapolis requires a block event permit from the city operations officer before any street or alley can be blockaded…
Read full rule →Rochester
Significant RestrictionsClosing a Rochester street or sidewalk for the benefit of event attendees, the classic block party, makes the gathering…
Read full rule →Stearns County
Significant RestrictionsStearns County requires a permit from the County Highway Department before closing any part of a county right-of-way…
Read full rule →Anoka County
Some RestrictionsAnoka County requires a Special Event Permit before anyone closes a traffic lane, turn lane or shoulder, directs…
Read full rule →Saint Paul
Some RestrictionsSaint Paul requires a police-issued permit before closing any public street, sidewalk, or alley for a block party or…
Read full rule →Park Event Permits
Permits required for organized events in public parks, including group size thresholds, amplified sound rules, and reservation procedures.
Dakota County
Significant RestrictionsDakota County requires a Special Use Permit for any exclusive or special use of park grounds, greenways, trails, or…
Read full rule →Rochester
Significant RestrictionsRochester's park board can grant permits for the exclusive use of a picnic shelter or park area on a specified date and…
Read full rule →Saint Paul
Significant RestrictionsWant to hold a parade, festival, rally or other public gathering in a Saint Paul park? Section 170.10(j) requires…
Read full rule →Stearns County
Significant RestrictionsAny group of 50 or more people using a Stearns County park needs a permit first. Ordinance No. 696 § 18 lets the…
Read full rule →Anoka County
Some RestrictionsAnoka County requires a permit before anyone can reserve a park building, trail, or area for exclusive use, or hold a…
Read full rule →Carver County
Some RestrictionsCarver County requires a use permit for exclusive or large-group use of county park facilities, and specifically for…
Read full rule →Maple Grove
Some RestrictionsPublic events in Maple Grove parks that involve alcohol, or are open to the public, require a permit from the park…
Read full rule →Washington County
Some RestrictionsWashington County requires a Use Permit from the Parks Division for any commercial, cultural, educational, political or…
Read full rule →Woodbury
Some RestrictionsWoodbury requires a parks and recreation department permit for exclusive use of park buildings, fields or facilities…
Read full rule →Parade Permits
How parades and processions are permitted, including route approval, traffic-control requirements, insurance, and First Amendment carve-outs for political marches.
Anoka County
Significant RestrictionsAnoka County requires a Special Event Permit before anyone can close a traffic lane, direct traffic, obstruct a road…
Read full rule →Carver County
Significant RestrictionsCarver County requires a use permit or prior Board or Director authorization before anyone holds a parade…
Read full rule →Dakota County
Significant RestrictionsAny public assembly of 50 or more people in a Dakota County park, including a parade, worship service, demonstration…
Read full rule →Maple Grove
Significant RestrictionsMaple Grove requires a city council permit before anyone holds, sponsors, or leads a parade on public streets, with…
Read full rule →Rochester
Significant RestrictionsNo one may conduct, sponsor or knowingly take part in a parade on Rochester's streets or sidewalks without a permit…
Read full rule →Saint Paul
Significant RestrictionsAnyone staging a parade, race, or public assembly of more than 25 people in Saint Paul needs a police-issued permit…
Read full rule →St Louis County
Significant RestrictionsOn the Mesabi Trail Corridor, St. Louis County Ordinance No. 56 requires a written permit from a Ranger before anyone…
Read full rule →Minneapolis
Some RestrictionsMinneapolis requires a permit from the city operations officer before any parade or race, with a 30-day filing deadline…
Read full rule →Woodbury
Some RestrictionsNo one may organize or take part in a parade in Woodbury without a permit from the chief of police. Applications go in…
Read full rule →Street Fair Rules
Permits and operating standards for street fairs and farmers markets, including vendor sourcing, alcohol handling, and street closure procedures.
Minneapolis
Significant RestrictionsMinneapolis requires a block event permit from the city operations officer before closing any street or alley for a…
Read full rule →Saint Paul
Some RestrictionsSaint Paul restricts food vendors from muscling in on a permitted block party or community festival. Legislative Code §…
Read full rule →Sidewalk Dining & Cafés
Permits for tables and seating in the public right-of-way, café and al-fresco programs, clearance widths, barriers, and the operating conditions attached to a sidewalk-dining permit.
Minneapolis
Significant RestrictionsMinneapolis restaurants, bars, and liquor licensees need a special council permit before serving customers in a…
Read full rule →Rochester
Significant RestrictionsA Rochester restaurant or bar licensed by the county health department to sell food on-site can apply through the city…
Read full rule →Saint Paul
Significant RestrictionsA Saint Paul restaurant already licensed under Legislative Code Chapter 331A can apply to the Department of Safety and…
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