Ask The Town: Do I Need A Permit for a Block Party in Vienna?

After a brief hiatus, it's back: "Ask the Town" is a weekly series that features Vienna Public Information Officer Kirstyn Barr answering reader questions about anything and everything Vienna. Have a question? Leave it in the comments below; we'll answer it next week.

Today’s beautiful spring weather gets me excited for the fun activities that spring and summer have to offer like barbeques, days at the pool, local festivals – well, pretty much anything outdoors!  One of the things that is great about Vienna is that so many local residents take advantage of the warmer months and organize block parties in their neighborhoods to mingle with neighbors, discover shared interests and just have fun!

If you’re thinking about organizing a block party this spring or summer, and you plan on closing a street, you will need to get a permit at least 21 days in advance of your event.  Here’s some helpful information to keep in mind as you’re planning your block party:

• If you’re applying for the block party, you have to live on the block being closed.
• All block party applications must include a petition signed by 100% of residents on the block; no exceptions.
• Be sure to include a list of affected addresses in numerical order by house number.
• Make sure you specify streets and cross streets where barricades are to be delivered and picked-up.
• If your application isn’t complete, it won’t be accepted or processed.

You can print a block party application from the Town’s website at www.viennava.gov, simply select “I Want To…” and select “Apply For A Block Party” or you can pick one up in the Town Manager’s Office in Town Hall, 127 Center Street S, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 

When you’ve completed the application, you can drop it off in the Town Manager’s office or email it to nngo@viennava.gov. 

Once your block party is approved and the day of the event has finally arrived, keep in mind the following to ensure a successful and interruption-free block party:

• You’re responsible for the proper disposal of any trash and recycling generated by the event.
• If you do not adhere to the noise restrictions or do not conclude the event by the permitted time of 11 pm, you won’t be granted any future block party permits and you could face some penalties as defined by the Town Code.
• If you’re going to have alcohol, note that alcohol is to only be consumed on private property and many not be sold during the block party.
• Use only removable barricades provided by the Department of Public Works to block the street.  Don’t use cars, lawn chairs, ropes or any other items to block the road.
• Do not obstruct public sidewalks or rights-of-way with barricades, ropes or other objects.

Neighborhood block parties are one of the things that make Vienna unique and we want them to be safe and enjoyable for all participants.  If you have any questions regarding obtaining a block party permit, contact the Town Manager’s Office at (703) 255-6370.

Have a question? Leave it below, and we'll get it answered next week.