The Streets Department will begin accepting permit applications for Street Events (Block Party and Other events) on April 15^th, 2021. However, events will only be reviewed from date May 21^st, 2021 and forward. Street Festivals (Special Events) are currently begin accepting for review. The Department will work to review and approve applications on a rolling basis as expeditiously as possible.

All permitted events are subject to the Department of Public Health’s guidance in effect on the date of the event, including crowd size limits. Depending on the size and type of event, Block Captains, Applicate and Organizers will now be required to either certify they will follow all local COVID-19 public health guidance or (Festival Events) submit a COVID-19 safety plan for approval.

Approvals will be determined based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to: compliance with COVID-19 public health guidance, availability of the requested space on the proposed date, the number of other Street Events scheduled for the proposed date, and the type and amount of City services required.

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The Block Party Application Process has been streamlined for residents applying for block party permits. It has been modified to improve the integrity and efficiency of the program.

• Applicants no longer need to contact their local Police District for approval to close the street prior to submitting their application. The Streets and Police Departments will now manage this step of the process internally, saving residents extra time and added process.
• Applicants are now informed in advance if their block is approved to be closed to traffic by the Police Department prior to providing payment for the permit and booking ancillary items such as food, music and other party-related activities. While local Police Districts have historically approved the closure of a street to traffic, prior to August 1, 2018 this procedure took place after the block party application was processed and the permit was approved by the Streets Department.

Applicants may apply:

Online - Applications submitted through the online process are sent directly to the local Police Districts for approval. Once approved by Police, the system sends the applicant an email requesting payment and awaits Streets Department approval.

Paper applications - (in-person or by mail) may be submitted with or without a Police Pre-Approval Form. Applications without the Police pre-approval form will be entered into the system by the Streets Department and Police will be notified automatically. Applicants will be notified within five days of submitting an application of its outcome and can select to be notified by email or mail.

Early submission of applications enables the Streets Department to quickly process forms and to notify SEPTA, Fire and Police Departments of all block party street closures in their districts. The Streets Department has made it easier for residents to schedule their block parties by making the application available online! To apply online, visit: https://stsweb.phila.gov/blockparty/.

One application may contain multiple event dates. One check or money order for all dates is acceptable. (Note: When submitting multiple dates on one application, ensure that the appropriate fee is included.)

Street events will only be approved for five (5) dates a year, per block.

If the street being closed for an event is the only entrance/exit to another street (a "T" street), a petition to close that "T" street is also required.

Religious Events

Submit a completed Street Event Application to the Streets Department for a non-block party event.

Special Events

For events planned on main streets in business corridors, contact the Managing Director's Office: 215-686-3488. 

Arterial Streets

Block party permits are intended for residential streets, where a street closing can be made safely without police provided traffic control or significant impacts on those who rely on SEPTA to get work and home. Arterial streets cannot be closed for street events. These are streets with multiple bus routes, trolley routes and trackless trolley routes.  Arterial streets are typically two way streets that carry 800 or more cars an hour and serve as the go-to streets for first responders racing to emergencies or hospitals. Closing of arterial/high volume roads causes difficulty for the motoring public and could affect  our emergency responders when called upon. These roads carry volumes up to 800 vehicles an hour. Pushing this amount of traffic into smaller residential streets, which are not designed for these volumes, can have a detrimental effect on the quality of life for these blocks.

Approved Holidays for Block Parties

• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day

An Important Reminder

Block parties are great fun and an excellent way to promote community spirit. In planning your block party, remember to make provisions to recycle all of the materials normally collected by the City. When it's time to clean up, remind the participants and organizers to set aside recyclables and properly bag trash until their regularly scheduled recycling/trash collection day.

If the trash and recyclables are not properly secured and stored until the regularly scheduled collection day, a violation can be issued to the applicant of the block party.