The purpose of this chapter is to establish a clear, safe, and efficient process for permitting residential block parties on public streets, while ensuring public safety, emergency access, and risk mitigation.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Burlington 5-19-2026 by Ord. No. 12-2026. Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
A resident of the affected block, at least 18 years of age, who submits the application.
A designated area within the public streets that shall be closed for a neighborhood party or event.
A neighborhood block party, celebration, festival or event, but shall not include a garage sale, yard sale, bazaar, rummage sale, or other similar activity having the principal purpose of fundraising for an individual or organization, nor shall it include a political meeting or rally, carnival or theatrical or musical performance such as rock concerts or similar events.
A City street, highway, or road.
A.
No person or organization shall use any public street, sidewalk, or public right-of-way for a block party in the City without a permit.
B.
C.
Application. The Director of Public Safety shall be authorized to issue an application for the temporary blocking of a street for the purpose of holding a party. At least 30 days before the commencement of such party, an application for such permit shall be filed with the Director of Public Safety by a bona fide resident (who is over the age of 18) of the street to be blocked, and such application shall include an application fee of $25 and contain at least the following information:
(1)
A letter to all affected residents in the neighborhood that provides notification of the planned event.
(2)
A petition to hold a block party that will be signed by as many residents as possible who reside in the affected area.
(3)
The date and hours the block party will be held, to include a rain date if applicable.
(4)
Submission of a map showing the street locations and surrounding cross streets to be temporarily barricaded.
(5)
Written assurance that accessibility to the area for emergency vehicles will be provided.
A.
The Public Safety Director and the Chief of Police will approve an application once the event's location has been determined suitable. The application shall be denied if the Director of Public Safety or Chief of Police finds that blocking the street or portion thereof on the date requested in the application will unduly interfere with the flow of vehicular traffic or upon determination that the party is not authorized for other reasons to be disclosed. The City Clerk shall advise the applicant in writing of the approval or denial of the application.
B.
Any applicant whose permit is denied may appeal in writing to the Business Administrator within 10 days of denial. The decision of the Business Administrator shall be final.
C.
Public Works shall be notified with a copy of the approved application at least 72 hours prior to the event to drop off barricades based on availability. The Department of Public Works shall be responsible for retrieving the barricades on the next business day.
A permit issued pursuant to this chapter shall be valid only for the date and the hours specified thereon, which shall not be before 10:00 a.m. or after sunset.
The applicant(s) shall be responsible for the removal of litter, debris and other materials from the street or portion thereof used for the party, which is attributable to or caused by the party. Failure may result in the issuance of an ordinance violation for littering.
A street or portion thereof blocked off for a party shall not be obstructed by obstacles which cannot be readily moved to allow emergency vehicles to enter it in response to an emergency.
No more than two permits shall be granted by the City in any calendar year for the same block or blocks.
The person(s), organization(s) or association(s) to whom the permit is issued shall be liable for all losses, damages or injuries sustained by any person, whether a participant or spectator at the block party or recreational event, whether or not said losses, damages or injuries arise by reason of the negligence of the person(s), or organization(s) to whom such permit shall have been issued. The Business Administrator and Director of Public Safety shall require the applicant(s) to enter into a hold harmless agreement, which shall provide that the applicant(s) agrees to save and hold the City of Burlington harmless for any and all obligations and liabilities which may arise from the temporary street closing which represents the subject matter of the application. The applicant(s) shall further agree, as part of these provisions, to hold harmless the City of Burlington and to defend at his/her own cost and expense any claims or lawsuits instituted by third parties as a result of the event. The Business Administrator and Director of Public Safety shall further have the option to require that, prior to the issuance of a permit or commencement of the temporary street closing, the applicant(s) submit evidence of liability insurance in a minimum amount of $1,000,000 in general liability insurance, naming the City as an additional insured, to cover damages to property and injuries to members of the general public arising out of the temporary street closing in such amounts as may be determined by the Business Administrator and Director of Public Safety.
The permit may be suspended or revoked by the Chief of Police or Director of Public Safety if conditions of the permit are violated or if continuation of the event presents a threat to public safety.
Open flames, grills, or cooking equipment must comply with applicable fire codes and may be restricted by the Fire Official.
Alcoholic beverages shall not be possessed, served, or consumed within the permitted block party area unless specifically authorized by permit and in compliance with all applicable state and local laws.
Any person(s), firm(s) or corporation(s) who or which shall violate any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction, be subject to a penalty of not more than $1,000, or imprisonment for a term not to exceed 10 days, or both. Each day or event of violation shall constitute a separate offense.