General Guidelines

General guidelines for applying to SAPO for an event permit include:

• SAPO applications must be completed and submitted online
• Processing fees apply to all permit requests ($25: block party, clean-up, health fair, plaza event (civic), and rally/demonstration; for other permits with vendor participation, different fee schedules apply).
• Amplified sound will require a permit from NYPD; a generator will require a permit from FDNY and DEP; prepared food and/or drink giveaways or sampling will require a permit from DOHMH, use of a hydrant will require a permit from DEP, any structure over 10 feet in height will require a permit from DOB; and a petting zoo will require a permit from DOHMH.
• All events except for Block Parties and Rallies/Demonstrations are required to have liability insurance in the amount of $1 million per occurrence naming the City of New York as an additional insured.
• The relevant Community Board must review all proposals for street events, block parties, farmers markets, clean-ups, and plaza events.
• All block parties and street fairs are required to recycle.
• Applications for rain dates are not accepted.
• Street Fair applicants and community sponsors are limited to one event per application and two events per calendar year.
• All events must maintain 5 feet on each side of a fire hydrant, 5 feet of non-event pedestrian flow on sidewalks, an 8 foot bicycle lane (if bicycle lane exists in permitted area), and a 15 foot emergency vehicle lane (full street closure and pedestrian plaza events).

General guidelines for applying to DOT for participation in an agency program include:

• Review the program website and Request for Proposals closely prior to submitting an application.
• No application fees are associated with the various DOT programs.
• Additional permits may be required from SAPO and the DOT Office of Construction Mitigation and Coordination (OCMC). All SAPO permits and other agency permits required as part of Summer Streets or Car Free Earth Day are handled by DOT.
• Funding is available through the various programs but not guaranteed with selection.
• The relevant Community Board and police precinct must be notified of all proposals in conjunction with the DOT Borough Offices.
• All partners must sign a legal agreement with DOT to participate in the various programs, and may be required to provide commercial general liability insurance in the amount of at least $1 million per occurrence and $3 million aggregate limit naming the City of New York as an additional insured.