*NOTE: This section includes amendments by temporary legislation that will expire on October 17, 2026. To view the text of this section after the expiration of all emergency and temporary legislation, click this link: Past Permanent Version.*

1. (a) It is the policy of the District to approve block parties, including porchfests.

2. (b) A block party application or expedited block party application shall not be denied unless:

   1. (1) It fails to meet the requirements of this chapter;
   2. (2) The event would create a significant public safety concern;
   3. (3) The event would create a significant traffic problem; or
   4. (4) There is substantial neighborhood opposition to the block party.

3. (c) An application for a block party preauthorization shall not be denied unless the Department determines that:

   1. (1) The application fails to meet the requirements of § 9-632.01;
   2. (2) Frequent closures of the block would create significant public safety concerns or traffic problems; or
   3. (3) There is substantial neighborhood opposition to the application.

History

Oct. 23, 2012, D.C. Law 19-190, § 5, 59 DCR 10163

Mar. 21, 2025, D.C. Law 25-312, § 4(e)

Mar. 6, 2026, D.C. Law 26-99, § 2(c)

Applicability

Applicability of D.C. Law 25-312: § 7 of D.C. Law 25-312 provided that the amendment to this section by § 4(e) of D.C. Law 25-312 is subject to the inclusion of the law’s fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan. Therefore that amendment has not been implemented.

Section 7195 of D.C. Act 26-146 amended Section 7 of D.C. Law 25-312, thus removing the applicability limitation. Therefore the amendments to this section by §4(e) of D.C. Law 25-312 have been implemented.

Section 7195 of D.C. Act 26-210 amended Section 7 of D.C. Law 25-312, thus removing the applicability limitation. Therefore the amendments to this section by §4(e) of D.C. Law 25-312 have been implemented.

Section 7195 of D.C. Law 26-55 amended Section 7 of D.C. Law 25-312, thus removing the applicability limitation. Therefore the amendments to this section by §4(e) of D.C. Law 25-312 have been implemented.

Emergency Legislation

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 7195(a) of Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2025 (D.C. Act 26-146, Sept. 3, 2025, 72 DCR 9623).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 7195(a) of Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2025 (D.C. Act 26-210, Nov. 24, 2025, 72 DCR 13514).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2(c) of Porchfest Permitting Emergency Amendment Act of 2025 (D.C. Act 26-236, Dec. 30, 2025, 73 DCR 66).

Temporary Legislation

For temporary (225 days) amendment of this section, see § 2(c) of Porchfest Permitting Temporary Amendment Act of 2025 (D.C. Law 26-99, Mar. 6, 2026, 73 DCR 448).