Neighborhood block parties are just that – a party for the neighbors that live in that neighborhood. They are limited to an area no longer than 2 blocks long, take place on a residential street that does not “lock-in” an entrance to the neighborhood, where there are no transit routes, commercial facilities, hospitals, police stations, or fire stations, and without direct access to a public park. Block Parties have less than 300 persons attending who live in the neighborhood, and are “free” to enter. They are not intended to draw attendees from any other area, just the neighbors.
Any other large gathering that is longer than 2 blocks long, OR has more than 300 people, OR that charges a fee to enter, OR has direct access to a public park, OR blocks any kind of public or commercial facility, is considered a festival and will require a festival permit.