Special Events Permitting & Street Vending Licenses

Special Events Permitting & Street Vending (AKA, the Party Planning People)

Do you want to host an event or sell food in a public space in Baltimore City? You may need a permit.

The permitting process aims to ensure good communication between the city and residents.  With a permit, residents can have events in the city that are safe, affordable, and successful.

Why apply for an event permit?
  • Permits are required by city code for certain events held in public spaces, but the permitting process is valuable for residents and the city to collaborate on using shared spaces. 
  • We ensure your event doesn’t conflict with scheduled construction or utility work in the right-of-way or other major events already scheduled. 
  • We liaise with other departments for the services needed for your event, such as police for public safety, housing for inspections, temporary structures to ensure safety, requests for road barriers and stages, etc.

Select the type of event you would like to host to access the online application.

The Special Events team can help with many types of permit applications, including Block Parties, Park Events, Event Parking, Farmer's Markets, or Street and Mobile Vending. The location, number of guests, openness to the public, and sound level all determine the required event permit type. For other permit types, the requirements depend on location, timing, and merchandise.

Questions?

Schedule a call with the Special Events team 


 

Event Permit

Where will your event take place?

 

Event on a Block/Street

a purple background with text and icons. Text reads Block Party: Shut down a street for your event

Are you planning a block party? You can use the Block Party Application if

  • your party is a private party with less than 200 people who are
  • the residents of one block and their guests
  • On a local residential street that is free of bus routes and intersection
  • Without SALES of food or alcohol
  • and ends by 9pm

Apply for a Block Party Permit

Any other event

If your event does not meet these criteria, you can still have it!

Learn how to apply for a Special Event permit


 

Event in a Park

Park Event: Make use of our fabulous city parks. a purple background with text and icons

Are you having a private event with less than 250 guests and no amplified sound?

You can apply through the Department of Recreation and Parks.

Learn about Park Event Permits

Event Parking: Come from far and wide. a purple background with text and icons

Will this event need parking on city streets?

 Event Parking and Footway Application.

Park Rally: Make your voice heard. a purple background with text and icons

Park Demonstration

Are you having a demonstration with more than 30 people?

Use the Park Demonstration Permit Application

Any other event

For any other event in a park, the Special Events team at the Department of Transportation can help you.

Learn how to apply for a Special Event permit


 

Event at the Inner Harbor

Special Event: Planning big? Let's go all out. a purple background with text and icons

All events in the Inner Harbor require a Special Event Permit.

Learn how to apply for a Special Event permit


 

Event on Private Property

Private Event: Special and just for you! a purple background with text and icons

Dances, Festivals, Sporting Events, Movies, and other assemblies on private property can require a permit through the Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development.

DHCD Guide to Temporary Special events

Will this event need parking on city streets?

Event Parking and Footway Application


 

Special Event

Special Event: Planning big? Let's go all out. a purple background with text and icons

Special Events are all public events in a City park, foot-races, parades, processions, festivals, block parties over 200 participants, and Inner Harbor Events.

Learn more about Special Events


 

Farmer's Market

Farmer's Market: Feed the City! a purple background with text and icons

The City of Baltimore defines a farmer’s market as “a recurring event on designated dates and times consisting primarily of agricultural producers selling their products directly to the public. At least 50% of vendors must sell agricultural or food products as designated by the State of Maryland’s definition for farmer’s market.”

Download the Application for a Farmer’s Market


 

Event Parking and Footway Application

Event Parking: Come from far and wide! a purple background with text and icons

This is required for curbed lane closures, and reserved parking for events where no Special Events Permit has been issued.

Please note that this application must be submitted no later than 7 days prior to the event.

Download Event Parking and Footway Application


 

Street and Mobile Vending

Street Vending: Sell your wares in the streets! a purple background with text and icons

Street Vendors are any person that sells, distributes, or offers to sell or distribute food products, other merchandise of any kind, or services from a motor vehicle, animal-drawn wagon, bikes, handcart, pushcart, or other vehicles on City right-of-ways.

Applying for or renewing a Street and Mobile Vending Permit?

Visit the Street and Mobile Vending page


Contact Us

Email the Special Events team

Schedule a call with the Special Events team 

Phone: 410-396-1916

Address: 401 E. Fayette Ave Baltimore, Maryland 21202

Office hours: Monday-Wednesday & Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, Thursday – Closed