Berkeley, CA Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

Section 13.44.010(A) makes it unlawful to conduct, participate in, or allow a street-closing event without a permit from the City Manager or a designee; park events under Chapter 6.46 and filming under Chapter 9.78 are excluded. Applications for high-impact events, events using pyrotechnics, Certified Farmers' Markets, or use of the Downtown Berkeley BART Plaza are due at least 30 business days ahead under Section 13.44.040(B); every other street event needs only 10 business days' notice under Section 13.44.040(C). The application must list organizers with photo ID, the event's route and length if it is a parade, crowd and equipment estimates, sanitation and medical arrangements, and any proposed rules on skates or wheeled vehicles for participant safety.

Section 13.44.060 requires the City Manager to issue a permit unless the application is incomplete or false, a conflicting event is already booked for the same time and place, the event would unduly block a freeway, transit stop or major arterial, it would interfere with fire or police protection, or the applicant substantially violated an earlier permit's terms. A denial must give written reasons and, where the problem is timing, route or site, propose an acceptable alternative under Section 13.44.060(D). Section 13.44.070 lets a denied applicant appeal to the City Manager, whose decision is final.

Events with a crowd over 1,000, closure of a major arterial, a two-intersection closure with AC Transit rerouting, or use of the BART Plaza must carry $1,000,000 in liability insurance naming the City as additional insured under Section 13.44.110.