Religious Events - CECM

Citywide Event Coordination and Management


Permit Types

Permit Types
Permit Deadlines
Permit Process

Permit Types

Permit Deadlines

Permit Process


Religious Events

Religious events that take place on streets or sidewalks require a permit. If your religious organization is holding an act of public worship to serve a benefit to the community on streets or sidewalks, then you are required to obtain a permit. Religious events are categorized into three event types: Sukkot, Mobile Unit, or Ceremony. Read below for more information or apply here.

When hosting a religious event, keep in mind the following:

Applications must be submitted 60 days prior to the event

Applicants must be a member of a religious organization with an indigenous relationship to the block or the community and given permission by their neighbors

Nonprofit applicants must provide nonprofit status documentation with their application

The event is limited to one day and one block

Rain dates are not permitted

Applicants must select the religious event type: Ceremony, Mobile Unit, or Sukkot

No fundraising, or sale of goods or services can take place at the religious event

If you would like to sell food or other items at your event, read more about hosting a single block festival

Valid for an act of worship only

If you would like to have rides and inflatable such as bounce houses at your event, read more about hosting a block party

You may require additional permits, such as:

All amplified sound, such as background music, musical performances or speaking programs, requires a permit from the New York Police Department

Generators require a certificate from the New York Fire Department. When generators are over 40kw they also require a certificate from the New York Department of Environmental Protection

Apply for a Religious Event Permit

Permit Types

A community sponsored event requiring the closure of a single block for a single day

A limited, 4-hour street closure event held for the purpose of neighborhood improvement/beautification

A nonprofit sponsored open air market on a sidewalk for the sale of local farm fresh products

A community sponsored event where health vendors provide in-kind services and require closing one block or a portion of a street for one day.

The staging of a vehicle(s) for religious purposes while serving a benefit to the community

An activity held within a pedestrian plaza that interferes or obstructs regular use of plazas. Application deadlines vary by each plaza level.

A public convening for media and press held on street or pedestrian plaza with minimal impact on the area for one day.

Activities without branding that occur on a sidewalk or curb lane. The activities may include pick-up or drop-off and set up or break down of events with no impact for pedestrians or vehicles.

A public convening held on street or pedestrian plaza with minimal impact on the area for one day.

An act of public worship serving a benefit to the community for a single day

An activity held on a public street, curb lane or sidewalk that interferes or obstructs the locations uses by pedestrians or vehicles. Event size determines its application deadline.

Nonprofit sponsored festival with vendors requiring closing one block or more for multiple days

Nonprofit sponsored community festival with vendors requiring closing one block for one day