Acworth, GA Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

Acworth Code of Ordinances § 82-151 defines "parade" broadly as any parade, march, ceremony, demonstration, show, exhibition, pageant or procession of any kind by three or more people on a city street, sidewalk, park or other public place. Section 82-152 exempts funeral processions (if police are notified of the time and route), students moving between classes under school supervision, and government agencies acting within their function. Section 82-171 makes a permit mandatory for anyone who engages in, participates in, aids, forms or starts a parade.

Under § 82-172, the application goes to the office of the city manager on city forms and must be filed not less than ten and not more than 30 days before the parade date; it must list the organizer's contact information, the parade leader, the date, route, starting and assembly points, the approximate number of people, animals and vehicles, start and end times, and the space to be maintained between units. The city manager can accept late applications for good cause. Section 82-173 sets the standards for issuance, refusing a permit that would substantially interrupt traffic, divert too many police officers or ambulances from normal service, interfere with fire equipment, or that is scheduled purely to advertise a product or for private profit; animals in the parade must be kept from fouling the streets.

Section 82-174 requires the city manager's office to act within seven days and mail a denial with reasons. Section 82-175 gives a denied applicant two days to appeal to the board of aldermen, which decides at its next regular meeting. Section 82-178 sets what the permit itself must state, including start time, minimum and maximum speed, spacing, streets covered and maximum parade length.