San Bernardino's Special Events & Permits: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles special events & permits a little differently. In San Bernardino, California, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Parade Permits

No parade or procession may occupy or march along a San Bernardino street without a permit issued by the Chief of Police under SBMC § 10.24.140. Funeral processions and the military and city police/fire forces are exempted; the old standalone parades chapter was repealed in 2015.

Key details: Governing section: SBMC § 10.24.140. Permit issuer: Chief of Police. Exempt groups: Funeral, military, city police/fire. Old chapter repealed: Ch. 12.56, by Ord. MC-1414, 2015.

Marching or driving a procession or parade along a city street without the Chief of Police's permit is an infraction, punishable under the citywide schedule in SBMC § 1.12.010: up to $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second within a year and $500 for a third, with a fourth violation in 12 months charged as a misdemeanor.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. San Bernardino actively enforces its parade permits requirements.

Park Event Permits

San Bernardino Municipal Code § 12.80.040 lets groups under 25 use a public park permit-free, requires a written Director permit for a picnic, celebration, parade or exercise expecting more than 25, and requires a special event permit under § 19.70.036 once expected attendance tops 100.

Key details: No permit needed: Groups under 25 people. Director permit required: Groups over 25 (§ 12.80.040(B)). Special event permit required: Groups over 100 (§ 19.70.036). Fee-based classes: Written Director permit (§ 12.80.050). Penalty: Misdemeanor under § 1.12.010.

Holding an unpermitted picnic, celebration, parade or park facility use above the 25-person threshold, or above 100 without the special event permit, violates § 12.80.040 and is a misdemeanor under § 12.80.140, punishable in accordance with § 1.12.010.

The Bottom Line

San Bernardino's special events & permits rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming San Bernardino is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects San Bernardino's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.