Auburn, AL Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

Article IV of Chapter 21 defines a parade broadly as any parade, march or procession upon any street, exempting only funeral processions, students traveling under school supervision, and government agencies acting within their functions. Section 21-113 requires a parade permit issued by the chief of police before anyone may engage in, participate in, aid, form or start a parade. Section 21-114 sets the application window at not less than seven days nor more than sixty days before the proposed parade date, filed with the city clerk, and requires detailed information: organizer contact information, the parade chairman, the date, route, starting and termination points, estimated number of people, animals and vehicles, start and end times, whether the parade will occupy the full street width, and assembly area locations and timing.

The chief may waive the seven-day minimum for good cause. Section 21-115 lists the standards for issuance, centered on whether the parade will substantially interrupt traffic, overextend police or ambulance coverage, interfere with firefighting response, or is designed solely to advertise a product or for private profit. If denied, Section 21-116 requires the clerk to mail notice within three days, and Section 21-117 lets the chief offer an alternate date, time or route, which the applicant must accept in writing within five days. Section 21-118 requires the permit itself to state starting time, minimum and maximum speed, spacing between units, streets covered, and maximum parade length, and Section 21-119 requires the parade chairman to carry the permit during the event. Section 21-120 allows revocation after a due-process hearing if the issuance standards are no longer met.