Special Events Impacting Streets

Closings, Street Use & Special Events

Sometimes the City must close street lanes or all access to certain roads. This may be necessary for maintenance and repair work, winter weather or other hazardous conditions, or improvements to the infrastructure. Parades, festivals, and other special events may also affect street closings. When closures are necessary, CDOT makes every effort to coordinate work to minimize impact to motorists, pedestrians, and area businesses and close for the least amount of time. Notices are sent to the media and public as requested and also published on this website.​

Application for Special Events, Parades and Festivals 

Street Use and Event Notice (SUN)​

Icon for document typesRace Sign Specifications

Beer and Wine Permits

A permit from the Charlotte Department of Transportation is required to temporarily close a street, or a portion thereof for a community sponsored event at which beer and wine is to be sold, distributed or consumed on the streets, sidewalks and public areas. Due to sizable insurance requirements most applications are for major events.

If your plans include alcoholic beverages, view the City Beer-Wine Permit Application or call CDOT at 704.336.5531.

If an Alcohol Permit is needed for a private event such as a wedding reception, please call the Alcohol Beverage Commission in Raleigh, NC at 919.779.0700 or visit ABC General Permit Information Website. 

Neighborhoods

​Citizens may petition for a temporary street/block closing for community functions such as block parties or neighborhood festivals. The City welcomes such activities and CDOT is prepared to assist.

If interested, take the following steps:

  1. Plan your activity in advance. Street closings require a completed petition at least 30 DAYS prior to an event.

  2. Read the Icon for document typesNeighborhood Block Closing Regulations

  3. Print the Icon for document typesNeighborhood Block Party Request

  4. Complete the petition form by acquiring signatures from 75% of the residents on the affected portion of the street being closed and return it to CDOT using the information below.

  5. The Engineering Field Investigator will contact you when your permit is approved and will help guide you as to where to close your street and what equipment to use. The City does not provide barricades to block streets. Residents are required to provide their own barricades.

  6. Remember that streets must be closed from block (cross street) to block (cross street). For instance, you cannot block off a portion of a street in front of only a few homes.

Charlotte Department of Transportation
Engineering & Operations
600 E. Fourth Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
704.336.4119
CharlotteDOT@charlottenc.gov
Fax: 704-632-8140

The City of Charlotte implemented a Decorative Sign (Banner) Ordinance in July 2011.  To display a decorative sign, please do the following:

If interested in displaying a decorative sign in the Uptown area, Charlotte Center City Partners coordinates this effort.  Apply here.

Decorative sign means a pictorial representation, including illustrations, words, numbers, or decorations; emblem; flag; banner; pennant, that promotes or celebrates the city, its neighborhoods, civic institutions, or public activities and events in the city.  Decorative signs may either be designed and displayed by the City directly or donated to the City on a permanent basis or for a limited period of time. 

Citizens may request that the names of streets within the Charlotte City Limits be changed. A petition of 75% of the property owners on the street will be required for non-agency/departmental requests.

The petition form will be sent to the citizen making the request as soon as the recommended name is reviewed to make sure it is not a duplication or a prohibited name.

Guidelines for Street Names

  • Name plus two-letter type (Rd, St, Ln, etc) cannot exceed 21 letters

  • Name should include a roadway type

  • No directional prefixes or suffixes (N, S, E W)

  • No duplication. For example, Parsons Dr., when there is already a Parsons Rd., is not permissible, but Parsons Hill Rd would be acceptable.

  • Street names involving a full name of an individual are discouraged where the individual's last name only is an available name

  • A full continuous street name along the length of a street is encouraged. This discourages the Morehead-Queens- Providence situation.

  • Possibly offensive names are not permitted

  • No business names

  • No punctuation


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