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Block Parties are a free, fun, and easy way to build community and get to know your neighbors. Gather your neighbors to hold a Block Party in your street or turn the street over to the kids for play. With this free permit, you can host your event on your neighborhood street!
Overview
Block Parties are a free, fun, and easy way to build community and get to know your neighbors. Whether you're planning a potluck, birthday celebration, or hosting games in the street, a Block Party permit allows you to close your neighborhood street so your community can gather safely. The permit is free, and the application takes 10-15 minutes to complete.
Benefits of obtaining a Block Party permit include:
- Coordination with city services. Ensure city services are aware of your street closure request.
- Reservation for your date and location. Your permit helps prevent multiple events from being scheduled on the same street, at the same time.
- Guidance for street closure. PBOT will help you understand what is required to safely close your street, especially in cases where your street is close to a high-traffic area.
Does my event qualify for a Block Party permit?
Block Party permits are intended for small, neighborhood-scale gatherings primarily on residential streets.
- Must be free and open to the public (no ticketed or private events).
- Hosted on a Local Service Traffic street (low-traffic residential streets, not on a transit route).
- Fewer than 100 attendees at any given time.
- Take place between the hours of 9am-9pm.*
- Duration of up to 8 hours within one week (including time for setup and cleanup).*
- A street closure of 1 or 2 blocks.*
*Exceptions exist for street painting projects and Block Parties hosted by schools:
- Street painting events may close 4 blocks, for up to 16 hours in a single week.
- Schools may host Block Parties starting as early as 7am.
Your party cannot be permitted as a Block Party if it includes any of the following:
- The event is associated with a business.
- Vendors are participating in the event (other than one permitted food vendor).
- Attendance is expected to exceed 100 people at any point in time.
- Event includes alcohol sales and/or consumption on the street.
- Street closure is more than 2 blocks (except for street painting events).
- Closure request is on an arterial (high-traffic) street or on a public transit route.
If your event does not qualify for a Block Party permit, check out our Community Event application process to explore permitting options. A Community Event permit is generally appropriate for public fundraisers, farmers markets, street fairs, cultural events, and more.
Who can apply for a Block Party permit?
Residents who live on the block being closed may apply for a Block Party permit. Applicants must coordinate with neighbors regarding party details.
2026 Update: PBOT now allows community-focused organizations to apply for Block Party permits. This includes:
- Schools
- Neighborhood associations
- Faith-based organizations
- Community organizations
If an organization is applying, the applicant must ensure that:
- The event meets all Block Party program rules and requirements outlined on this web page.
- The event is open and accessible to neighbors living on the affected street.
- A local person is designated to serve as the contact for the application and permit. This person must be available and accessible for contact and coordination.
Before you apply
You must apply at least 15 days before your event. If your application is received with less than 15 day's notice, we cannot guarantee that you will receive a permit in time for your party.
To prepare for your Block Party application:
1. Check your street location
To host a block party on your street, your street must be designated as "Local Service Traffic." In general, this means that the street is a low-traffic residential street without transit routes.
To check your street designation, search your address using PBOT's Transportation System Plan street classification map:
- Under the "Settings" menu on the left, select 2 boxes: "Transit classifications" and "Traffic classifications."
- Enter your address into the search bar.
- Click your street.
If your street shows a red/orange/blue line, then you cannot close your street.
If your street is gray, then you're okay!
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- If your street is not a Local Service Traffic street: Check with neighbors on nearby blocks! Someone in your neighborhood may be open to hosting the party on their Local Service Traffic street.
- If your block intersects with a non-Local Service Traffic street, or your party spans more than one block: You will need to rent Type 3 traffic barricades. We recommend familiarizing yourself with barrier and signage requirements. As a party host, you are responsible for obtaining and placing the required barricades and signage for closing your street.
2. Talk with your neighbors
We encourage applicants to talk with their neighbors before applying for a Block Party permit.
Early conversations help build agreement on party details, avoid scheduling conflicts, and ensure everyone knows what to expect during the event. We ask that you provide accommodations to neighbors, especially those with mobility needs, so they can freely enter or exit the closure if necessary.
Applicants are required to notify all residents on the affected block(s) at least 3 days before their Block Party permit starts.
Before applying, create and distribute a flyer that includes:
- Event date(s) (Review Block Party requirements)
- Start and end times (when the street will be closed to traffic; the time you are requesting for your permit)
- Location (Example format: N Alberta St, between N Gay Ave and N Denver Ave)
- Planned activities
- Name and contact information of the Block Party permit applicant (or another designated party co-host)
You can use this Block Party notification flyer template to share information with your neighbors, or create your own flyer that includes the required information listed above. Include your notification flyer in your Block Party application.
What happens after I apply?
- PBOT staff will review your application details. We will contact you if we need additional information, or if there are other issues with moving forward with your application.
- We prepare your traffic control plan (TCP). Every permit includes a required traffic control plan with directions on how you can safely close your street. If the location of your street closure requires a custom traffic control plan, it may take us more time to process your application and issue your permit.
- Permit approval and issuance: If your application is approved, we will issue your Block Party permit!
- Once you receive your permit: Carefully review the details, to ensure you are prepared for your event (see information below).
How do I use my Block Party permit?
Once you receive your permit, carefully review the information provided. If you have any questions or concerns, we are happy to help!
Your Block Party permit includes the following:
- Details from your application, including the date, time, and location of your street closure.
- Your traffic control plan (TCP) – This is a map showing you where to place traffic control devices for a safe street closure. It also includes a list ("Manifest") of required barricades and signage, and how many of each item you will need. PBOT does not provide traffic control devices.
- Requirements for setup, reopening your street, barricades, and signage (also outlined on the page below).
- Other terms and conditions associated with your Block Party permit.
Please contact the PBOT Block Party team if you have any questions at pbotblockparty@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-4003.
Barricades and signs
Pictures show examples of a household item with reflective tape used for a daylight street closure (left) and a Type 2 barricade with flashing light used for an after dusk closure (right).
As a Block Party host, you are responsible for obtaining and setting up the required barricades and signs to safely close your street. PBOT does not provide traffic control devices. When you receive your permit, review your traffic control plan for information about required barricades, signage, and where to place them.
Visit our Basic Traffic Control Devices and Vendors page for visual examples, descriptions, and a list of local vendors.
Review detailed barrier/sign requirements below:
General requirements
- If your street closure is more than one block, or your block is adjacent to an arterial (high-traffic) street: You must use Type 3 barricades.
- If your block is not adjacent to an arterial (high-traffic) street: You may use approved household items as barricades or Type 2 barricades.
- Barricades must be placed 3-6 feet apart.
- Keep all barricades out of all marked and unmarked crosswalks (by state law, every corner is a crosswalk unless otherwise indicated).
- You must leave a 12-foot wide fire lane open at all times for the length of your street closure.
- If your permit extends into dusk or evening hours, you must use approved Type 2 or Type 3 barricades with flashing lights.
- If you are using household items as barricades, your street must be fully reopened by dusk.
Household items as barricades
If you are hosting your party on a block surrounded by Local Service Traffic streets, you will likely receive a standard traffic control plan. A standard traffic control plan allows you to close your street using city trash cans or other large household objects:
- Items must be at least 3 feet tall and 18 inches wide.
- Items must be marked with retroreflective tape:
- Apply at least two 4-inch retroreflective bands around all sides of the item.
- The first band of tape must be placed 2 inches from the top.
- The second band should be placed 2-6 inches below the first band.
- Tape should not be covered by the "Street Closed" sign and must remain visible.
- Place a minimum of 2 household items at each end of the closure.
- Items must be placed 3-6 feet apart (same requirement for other barricades).
- Household items may be used during daylight hours only.
- Household items must be stable, properly weighted, and monitored throughout the event so that they don't fall over or move.
- Do not use vehicles to block the street, as it can create safety issues!
Additional information on the use of household items as alternative traffic control devices can be found here:
Street closure signs
Signs must be clearly visible to people driving, walking, and biking.
Street closure signs must be:
- At least 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide.
- Placed at least 20 inches above the roadway surface.
- Not covering any retroreflective tape or lights.
- Placed on the household item or barricade at the center of the street closure.
- Located at both ends of the street closure.
You can print this PDF version of a "STREET CLOSED" sign yourself, or at a print shop. Handmade (painted/drawn) signs are not allowed. Visit Adobe's website for helpful instructions for printing posters and banners.
Setup and reopen your street
Your permit includes instructions for setting up your street closure, as well as when your street closure begins and ends. Your traffic control plan includes a map of where to place barricades and signs.
Keep in mind:
- Your permitted hours include set-up and takedown time.
- Do not begin setting up your closure until the time listed on your permit.
- Before your permit ends: Remove all barricades, signs, household items, and debris to fully open the street for normal use.
- If your Block Party ends early, reopen the street for normal use.
Additional permits
Block Party permits are issued to close the public right-of-way (street). Depending on your event, you may need additional permits.
- Having amplified sound or live music? Visit the Bureau of Development Service's Apply for a Noise Code Variance page for instructions.
- Installing a street painting? Visit Learn about Street and Structure Paintings to review guidelines for design and installation. When you apply for a Block Party permit, there is an option to include a street painting activity with your event.
- Serving food at your event? Any time food is prepared and served to the public, a permit from Multnomah County is required. Review guidelines for temporary food events.
Optional insurance
Insurance is optional for a Block Party permit, except for specific cases where there may be increased risks of injury or property damage such as:
- Inflatable equipment such as bounce houses or slides.
- Mobile food vendors or professionally prepared meals (*Block Parties only allow for 1 permitted food vendor).
- Rented equipment (e.g., stages, tents, generators).
- Animal attractions (e.g., petting zoos, pony rides).
You may want to insure your Block Party permit through a homeowner's policy, a special rider, or a special event policy many insurance agencies put together. The city also makes liability insurance available through a Tenant Users Liability Policy (TULIP). Learn more about TULIP here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more about Block Party permits.
Ready to apply?
The Block Party permit application takes 10-15 minutes to complete.
Please ensure that the information in your application is complete and accurate before submitting!
Incomplete applications may take longer for our team to review and approve.
Contact us
If you have questions, please contact the Block Party team! We are happy to help.
pbotblockparty@portlandoregon.gov
503-823-4003*
*If leaving a phone message, please include your name, contact information, and a brief description of your question.
Share photos and spread the joy!
Have photos from your Block Party that you want to share? Feel free to tag us so more people can learn about the program. We're @PBOTInfo on all social media!
To keep up to date on program changes: Subscribe to our Block Parties newsletter!