Alexandria, VA Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

Chapter 4 of Title 6 makes it unlawful for any person, company, society, association, organization, lodge, club, gathering or group to parade, march, hold a procession or motorcade, or stage a special event in or upon any city street without first obtaining a permit under Sec. 6-4-1. Sec. 6-4-2 routes the application to the city manager or a designee, and both the application process and the approval criteria run through the city's Special Events Policies and Procedures, or whatever equivalent policy is current at the time of filing, rather than fixed numeric standards written into the code itself.

Sec. 6-4-3 requires the applicant to pay whatever permit fee that policy sets at the time of approval. Once a permit issues, Sec. 6-4-4 gives the city manager, the police department and other city departments authority to take any lawful action needed to keep the parade or event orderly, keep traffic flowing and prevent riots or disorder, including hiring special police and other personnel. Sec. 6-4-5 requires every parade or event to break ranks and let emergency vehicles through when one approaches, and Sec. 6-4-6 requires compliance with all federal, state and city law plus the specific conditions written into the permit.

Sec. 6-4-7 bars holding a parade or event where participants litter the streets, sidewalks or public property unless the organizer guarantees the mess is cleaned up immediately after the event ends.