Parade permits in Dallas County are issued by the city where the route runs. For unincorporated routes, Dallas County Sheriff coordinates road closures and traffic control. Major parades like St. Patrick's Day are city-permitted.
Most Dallas County parades occur within incorporated cities and require permits from that city's special events office. City of Dallas Park and Recreation and Office of Special Events permit downtown parades; Garland, Irving, Mesquite, and Richardson follow similar processes. Applications generally require 30 to 90 days advance notice, route maps, traffic control plans, insurance, and fees scaled by event size. For parade routes in unincorporated Dallas County, organizers contact Dallas County Public Works and the Sheriff for road closures. The Sheriff provides traffic control and security under county authority. Cross-jurisdictional parades require permits from each affected entity.
Unpermitted parade is criminal trespass on streets or obstructing highway under Texas Penal Code 42.03, Class B misdemeanor up to 180 days jail and $2,000 fine.
See how Dallas County's parade permits rules stack up against other locations.
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