Special Events Permitting & Street Vending Licenses
The Baltimore City Department of Transportation (BCDOT) is excited to announce that Special Events and Temporary Right of Way Permits will now be submitted through the OpenGov Permitting System. The new submittal process is designed to enhance efficiency, improve the user experience, and streamline the permitting process.
Key features include:
- Single Public Portal Interface for users
- Complete application and submit required documentation in a single location
- Track progress of required approvals
- Communicate directly within the Special Events and Right of Way Permitting Teams though the portal
- Supports online payments
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
Permitting OpenGov Quick Guide
Event Permit
Where will your event take place?
Event on a Block/Street
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
Learn How to 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
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
Will this event need parking on city streets?
Event Parking and Footway Application.
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
All events in the Inner Harbor require a Special Event Permit.
Learn how to apply for a Special Event permit
Event on Private Property
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 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
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
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 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
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