Chapter 923 BLOCK PARTIES

(A) “Block party” means the closing of one (1) or more public streets between one (1) or more intersections for the common purpose of the residents of the public street, or for the common purpose of the community at large, other than for a parade or commercial activity.
(B) “Commercial activity” means the ordinary activities of trade and commerce where the profit motive is the primary purpose of the block party. This terminology does not apply to sales of materials which are intended to convey information and ideas, or which espouse causes or beliefs protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, whether in the form of books, pamphlets, buttons, bumper stickers or t-shirts.
(C) “Parade” shall have the same definition as set forth in Section 2111.01 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, as amended. (Ord. 524-88.)

(A) No person shall use any public street to conduct a block party, as defined in Section 923.01, without first obtaining a block party permit.
(B) No person shall use any public street to conduct a block party, as defined in Section 923.01, without first closing the public street by the use of barricades meeting the standards set forth by the transportation administrator.
(C) No permit shall be issued for a block party requiring the closing of a public thoroughfare as set forth in the City of Columbus thoroughfare plan without first obtaining the documented approval of the Columbus division of police, the Columbus division of fire and the Columbus division of transportation.
(D) No street shall be closed for more than five (5) consecutive days without the documented permission from the Director of Recreation and Parks.
(E) No block party activity shall be conducted between the hours of 12:01 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. without the documented permission from the Director of Recreation and Parks.
(F) Application for a block party permit shall be made at the office of the department of recreation and parks upon the forms provided. The application shall be filed not less than seven (7) work days before the date of the block party.
(G) The department of recreation and parks shall issue a block party permit if the following requirements are met:
(1) The applicant has met the requirements of the block party application and paid the required fees;
(2) The applicant has submitted a petition bearing the signatures of eighty (80) percent of the property owners or tenants, or building managers whose property adjoins the public street being closed. A petition with less than the required signatures may be accepted provided the applicant has demonstrated a good faith effort in attempting to contact the property owners or tenants or building managers who did not sign the petition;
(3) The applicant has executed the indemnity agreement required under Section 923.04.
(H) The Recreation and Parks Department will only approve festival or event block parties between the hours of 12:01 am and 8:00 am to accommodate event set-up, clean-up, and when it is determined that the proposed activities do not adversely affect the citizens of Columbus. Residential block parties must end by midnight. (Ord. 1524-96; Ord. 1909-01 § 1 (part): Ord. 0435-2007 § 1.)

The applicant shall agree in writing to hold the city of Columbus, its employees, agents, servants, boards and commissions harmless from liability arising from the issuance of the block party permit and from the conduct of the participants of the block party.
The applicant shall agree in writing to indemnify the city of Columbus, its employees, agents, servants, boards and commissions against all claims of injury or damage to persons or property caused by the negligent acts of the applicant. (Ord. 524-88.)

The applicant shall provide for the collection and removal of all trash, garbage, and litter caused by or arising out of the block party. The city may impose a service fee for any clean-up costs incurred by the city as a result of the block party.
A city department or division shall post and publish in the City Bulletin a schedule of fees applicable to block parties for at least sixty (60) days before imposing any service fees. A city department or division imposing service fees shall do so in a uniform manner for all block parties. (Ord. 524-88.)