B 26-0501 Legislature · 26th Council Period (2025-2026)

Porchfest Permitting Emergency Amendment Act of 2025

This bill amends the Block Party Act to specifically allow residents hosting Porchfest events - a neighborhood music festival where performers play on porches or yards - to apply for block party permits. It requires musical activities to occur solely on personal property (not streets) and prohibits any fees for participants or attendees. The amendment ensures the Department of Public Works cannot deny permits for Porchfest events held on the same date as other block parties. It directly affects District residents organizing or participating in these community music gatherings.

Bill status signed all 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Dec 2025

Committee Review

Council Passage

Dec 2025

Signed into Law

Dec 2025

Introduced Dec 1, 2025 Signed Dec 30, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduction → Enrollment · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill was converted from a draft introduction to an enrolled version, meaning it has passed both legislative chambers and is ready for the Mayor's signature. The substantive policy changes expand Porchfest regulations to allow street closures for events and clarify that Porchfests can occur on public property adjacent to private residences. The definition of Porchfest was broadened to include performances on abutting public property, and new requirements were added allowing residents to request street closures for their events.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include street closures for Porchfest events and clarified that performances may occur on abutting public property, not just private property.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'Porchfest' was expanded from performances on residents' porches or yards to include performances on a resident's private property, such as their porch or yard, or any abutting public property.

Modified the fee requirement language to clearly state that no fee is charged to participants or attendees as part of the Porchfest definition.

REQUIREMENT

Added new subsection allowing District residents to submit block party permit applications requesting street closures specifically for Porchfest events.

ENFORCEMENT

Added policy language requiring the Department not to deny block party applications because they are part of a Porchfest or other distributed neighborhood festival occurring on the same date.

TECHNICAL

Converted document from draft introduction format to enrolled original format with proper signatures and certification lines for the Council Chairman and Mayor.

Floor votes · Council Dec 2, 2025

How they voted

12–1

Passed

Total votes 13

Dec 2, 2025

D Democratic11

11 Yea

100% Yea

I Independent2

1 Yea 1 Nay

50% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Dec 2, 2025

Council · Passed

Council Vote: pass (12-1)

council

Dec 2, 2025

Introduced

Amendment (CM Allen)

legislature

Dec 1, 2025

Introduced

B26-0501 Introduced by Councilmember Lewis George at Office of the Secretary

legislature

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors