Amending Title 11 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Streets," by adding a new Section establishing requirements for block parties and non-block party events, providing for permit fee refunds under specified circumstances and adding definitions, all under certain terms and conditions.

THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:

SECTION 1. Title 11 of The Philadelphia Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

TITLE 11. STREETS.

CHAPTER 11-100. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

§ 11-101. Definitions.

(1) Block Party. A neighborhood celebration or event, sponsored by the residents of a block, that requires the temporary closure of the street of the block, or a portion thereof.

[(1)]

[(4)]

§ 11-105.

Block Parties and Other Special Events.

(1) Permit Requirement. No block party or non-block party event shall take place on any street without a permit issued by the Department.

(2) Application. No permit shall be issued to close a street for a block party or non-block party event unless the applicant submits a written application no less than six weeks prior to the event, on a form approved by the Department, accompanied by a petition of support.

(a) For a street to be closed for a block party event, the petition of support shall be signed by seventy-five (75) percent of the households, located on the block, including any condominiums and apartments.

(b) For a street to be closed for a non-block party event, the petition of support shall be signed by ninety (90) percent of the households, located on the block, including any condominiums and apartments.

(c) Where the street to be closed is theonly entrance to or exit from another street, such as a “T” street, a petition to close the “T” street, signed in accordance with subsections a or b, as applicable, shall also be required.

(c) Only one signature per household shall be accepted, and any person signing the petition must be at least 18 years of age and reside on the block.

(d) If any businesses are located on the block, the applicant shall notify the Right-of-Way Unit to ensure that the closing of the block does not affect the businesses.

(3) Application Fee. The fee for an application for a block party or non-block party event shall be established by regulation of the Department. If a permit is issued for such an event, and subsequently revoked through no fault of the applicant, the applicant shall be entitled to a refund. No permit shall be revoked within fourteen (14) days of the block party or non-block party event, except in the case of an emergency. For purposes of this subsection, an emergency shall include but not be limited to a natural gas leak, water main break, fire, downed electrical wires, loss of electricity or similar occurrence.

(4) Permitted and Prohibited Activities.

(a) Yellow caution tape may be used to block access to the street for a permitted block party or non-block party event, but vehicles shall not be used for that purpose.

(b) The following shall be permitted access to the closed street: commercial vehicles for the purpose of making deliveries on the block; and vehicles of persons, including those with a physical disability, who must gain access to the street to conduct normal daily activities.

(c) Organized gaming devices and gaming tables and the sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.

(d) Noise and music levels shall not violate any City Codes.

(e) A permit shall be required from the Department of Licenses and Inspections if there will be a charge for admission to the block party or non-block party event, if there will be amusement rides or a carnival, or if the sale of merchandise or services will take place.

(f) The holder of the permit shall be responsible for directing residents of the block in the proper disposal of all trash and recycling at the conclusion of the event, and the street must be clean and open to traffic by 8:30 PM.

(5) Regulations. The appropriate departments are authorized to promulgate such regulations as are necessary to implement the provisions of this Section.

[§ 11-105]

§ 11-106

.

SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately.

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Explanation:

[Brackets] indicate matter deleted.

Italics

indicate matter added.

End