Block Party Rules & Conditions        

SECTION 1: General Requirements

• The closure of a street for block parties should pertain only to local residential streets.
• No Street shall be closed for a Block Party more than once in a three-month period.
• Signatures from 80% of all households within the party area indicating their consent must be submitted with the application (use attached Page 5 Signature Authorization Form – make additional copies as needed).

SECTION 2: Barricades and Emergency Access Requirements

• Professionally manufactured A-frame barricades that comply with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) shall be placed at all access points to prevent vehicular access to the Block Party venue during all times of operation including set-up and clean-up. Barricades shall be removed only after all pedestrians have exited the street and clean-up has been completed. All barricades and any other safety equipment used to support a Block Party in which environmental factors limit the ability of the equipment used to be seen such as when the Block Party takes place in partial or complete darkness shall use retro-reflective materials or flashing amber caution lights. You may not use vehicles, picnic benches, chairs or anything other than A-frame barricades to prevent vehicular access to the Block Party venue. Please contact a barricade rental company to secure the equipment needed for your event. Examples of rental companies are Bj’s Rentals and United Rentals.
• The closure point of intersections and cul-de-sacs must be kept clear of tables or anything other than the barricades in order to allow easy access for emergency vehicles, if necessary.
• The placement of any furniture, activities or equipment on a street(s) shall be such that a twenty foot (20’) unobstructed lane or clear path of travel sufficient for access by an emergency vehicle is maintained throughout the entire Block Party venue.

SECTION 3: Operational Requirements

• Adult supervision must be provided at all times.
• Alcoholic beverages shall not be consumed on City public property, including streets and sidewalks. The use of alcoholic beverages on private property shall comply with all applicable laws.
• All activities and games are to be conducted at your own risk
• Upon a complaint by any reasonable person, the applicant must ensure any sound is turned down to a more acceptable level or eliminated altogether.
• Applicants and all event participants must comply with all applicable city, county, state and federal regulations.

SECTION 4: Trash/Recycling/Event Clean-up Requirements

• The City of Chula Vista recommends the use of recycling receptacles for cans/bottles, paper and cardboard to be paired with trash containers around the event venue. Include where you will be placing these receptacles on your block party map.
• Clean-up shall be the responsibility of the applicant.
• The Block Party venue shall be clean, free of equipment and restored to public access immediately upon conclusion of the Block Party.

SECTION 5: Technical Requirements
Create a computer generated or hand-drawn scaled site plan depicting:

• Name and location of street(s) to be closed
• Location of furniture, activities or equipment. Any inflatable/play equipment shall be specifically identified.
• Location of safety equipment such as barricades to close street(s)
• Location of a twenty foot (20’) unobstructed lane or clear path of travel sufficient for access by an emergency vehicle throughout the entire Block Party venue.

SECTION 6: Application Process Requirements
Applicant shall submit a completed Block Party application with the site plan and all required signatures to the Office of Communications, ATTN: Special Events

• Applications must be submitted at least 15 working days prior to the event.
• Incomplete or improperly completed applications will not be processed.
• Approval will be subject to all other City ordinances and governmental restrictions.
• Please keep a copy of this application for your records.

 If you are planning a large party, inform your neighbors and the police in advance; include your phone number so they may call you with any concerns.  Have fun, be safe, and be a good neighbor!

Know How to Party Responsibly

•  Underage drinking is associated with the leading causes of death for teens and young adults, including homicide, suicide, and motor vehicle crashes.
• It is the duty of any person who hosts, permits, or allows a gathering to take steps to ensure that guests under the age of 21 do not have access to alcohol.

You Must:

• Control access to alcoholic beverages at the gathering,
• Control the quantity of alcoholic beverages present at the gathering,
• Verify the age of persons attending the gathering by inspecting a driver's license or other government-issued identification, and
• Supervise the activities of persons under 21 years of age.

You should also:

• Limit the number of guests. Keep it to people you know.
• Control the noise level. Take the party inside after 11 p.m.
• Plan for parking. Be sure that you and your guests are following local parking and traffic laws.
• Control your guests. If your party gets out of hand, ask people to leave.
• Alert the police if there are early signs that a party is getting out of control.

It Is Illegal to:

• Possess, consume, or purchase any alcoholic beverage if you are under the age of 21.
• Knowingly host, permit, or allow a gathering where at least one person under the age of 21 consumes an alcoholic beverage.
• Sell alcohol without a license.
• Furnish alcohol to anyone under the age of 21.
• Operate radios, musical instruments, TVs, machines, loud speakers, or similar equipment in residential areas between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m. that is plainly audible fifty (50) feet from the building or vehicle in which it is located.

Know What Can Happen
If law enforcement officers determine that a party or event is in violation of laws, the following individuals may be held responsible and face penalties:

• The person(s) who hosts, organizes or allows the event.
• The person(s) responsible for the residential or commercial property where the problem occurs.
• Violators can receive up to 6 months in jail and/or be fined up to $1,000 per incident.
• Repeated violations can result in additional fines and/or penalties.
• The police can also seize as evidence any device making the noise that violates the noise ordinance.

Applicable Laws
Chula Vista Municipal Code

• Loud Parties:  § 17.24.040 through §17.24.060
• Social Host:  § 9.14.010 through §9.14.070

California Business and Professions Code

• Sell alcohol to person under 21: § 23300
• Furnish alcohol to person under 21: § 25658
• Possess alcohol by person under 21: § 25662(a)

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