Step 1: Submit An Application 

An application must be submitted no later than 2 weeks before your event. This application is to be completed online; click the "Block Party Application" button above to apply for your Block Party. The Organizer of your Block Party is expected to complete the Application and Petition Form, and will be designated as the contact who will assume responsibility for the barricades, legal considerations, and the conduct of the party attendees.  

Step 2: Submit A Completed Petition 

A completed petition must be submitted no later than 2 weeks before your event. Block Party Petitions must have the approving signatures of 90% of the households directly affected by the Block Party's road closure. Click the "Block Party Petition Form" to print the petition and begin receiving signatures. Completed petitions can be submitted in person (at the Hub, located on the first floor of the Government Center, 115 E. Washington Street, Bloomington, IL 61701), scanned and sent via email to cityclerk@cityblm.org, or sent via mail (must be received at least 2 weeks before the event). 

*90% of the households means that only one resident's signature is needed from each household, and that 90% of the households on your block agree to closing the street for your Block Party.  

Step 3: Application Review 

Once both the Block Party Application & Petition Form have been received they will be reviewed by appropriate departments across the City; if you have questions about your application or would like an update on the status of your application, please contact the City Clerk Department.  

Step 4: Pay The Refundable Deposit  

Once your application is approved by the City Clerk, you will receive a letter of approval and invoice to the email provided on your application. You will then need to either visit the Hub, located on the first floor of the Government Center, 115 E. Washington Street, Bloomington, IL 61701 to pay the invoice in person or call the Hub to pay the invoice over the phone at (309) 434-2509 (press “0”)

Block Parties are designed to be held in residential neighborhoods, hosted and agreed upon by the residents of that neighborhood. When planning your Block Party, please be aware of the following rules related to street closures:  

• A street can only be blocked from intersection to intersection to allow vehicles to detour around the Block Party. This means that blocking a portion of the street is not allowed. 
• When completing your application, you will be asked to specify which section of the street you would like to place your barricades. No more than 1 block may be closed for your event to allow for traffic detours. 
• Horseshoe streets must be closed for the entire length of the street. Cul-de-sacs will be considered on an individual basis. 

The following characteristics designate an event as a Special Event, not a Block Party. If your event has any of the following stipulations, please refer to the Economic & Community Development Department's Special Event Application:

• A traffic volume of 500 vehicles a day or greater as indicated by the IDOT’s website, GettingAroundIllinois.com
• Any street segment that is part of the classified system as indicated in the latest City Transportation plan published on IDOT’s website, GettingAroundIllinois.com
• Any section of street with a speed limit of 35 mph and above, and/or any section of street that is on the B/N Public Transit Routes available on Connect-Transit.com.
• Any one-way section of street must apply for a Special Events Permit

Please note, Special Event Applications are required no later than 60 days prior to the event. Applications for Special Events can be found on the City’s website at the Economic & Community Development Department's Website or by calling the Downtown Development office at (309) 434-2295.

• Block Parties may only be scheduled between the hours of 12 p.m. (Noon) and Dusk (the sun beginning to set).
• A petition must be completed in addition to your application. This petition must be signed by 90% of the households on the street that will be closed. 
• A $150 refundable deposit must be paid before your event. This deposit places a hold on the barricades that the City will provide for your event. These barricades will be provided before your event, and will be picked up the Public Works Department after your event. Damages to the City's barricades may result in your deposit being held or only partially refunded. For more information on the $150 refundable deposit, please read "When will I receive my refunded deposit?" below. 

Your Application and Petition Form will be reviewed by the City Clerk Department once both are submitted. Once your application is approved, you will be contacted via email and expected to pay your refundable deposit. As you prepare for your event, please consider the following Block Party procedures and regulations: 

• Once approval by the City Clerk and the required barricade deposit of $150 is received, a letter of approval will be emailed. Barricades will be dropped off with the Organizer prior to event. It will be the Organizer's responsibility to install the barricades at the appropriate places and remove them at the end of the block party (no later than dusk). Barricades will be picked up in the same location that they were dropped off by the Public Works Department. Failure to return the barricades to the appropriate location after your event may result in fees taken from your deposit. 
• Tables, chairs, basketball hoops, etc. shall not be placed in the street prior to the closing of the street on the day of the party. 
• During the Block Party, all tables, chairs, and other items shall be placed on one side of the street in order to leave a 15-foot wide emergency lane open for Fire, Police, or any emergency vehicle.
• The following items are not permitted at City of Bloomington Block Parties:
  • No electronic sound amplification systems shall be permitted.
  • No structures shall be built in public right of way (i.e. huts, sheds, stages, etc.).
  • Consumption of alcohol or possession of alcohol in an open container on a public right of way. Alcohol may only be legally consumed on private properties. 

Note, public right of way includes sidewalk, streets, and parkway areas.

After the block party, the Public Works Department will pick up the barricades from the organizer's property and confirm that no damages were incurred during the event. After confirming that there are no damages, your refund will be initiated by the City Clerk Department. Because refunds must be approved by the City Council, it may take up to 8-10 weeks to successfully complete your refund and received your check in the mail. If you have questions about your refund, please contact the City Clerk Department.