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

Chapter 94, Article VIII sets out Bessemer's parade permitting scheme in a short run of sections. Section 94-238 bars publicly soliciting people together for a parade, procession or public demonstration on the streets unless a permit has already been secured. Section 94-239 lays out the mechanics: the parade must follow a written permit issued by the police department, the application goes to the chief of police in writing and must state the route, the starting time, the name of the person in charge, and the purpose of the parade, and the chief investigates the applicant and the truth of the stated purpose before deciding.

The chief issues the permit if satisfied the parade will not tend toward a breach of the peace and will not unnecessarily interfere with the public's use of the streets or the peace and quiet of residents, language giving the department real discretion to deny an application, not a rubber-stamp process. Once a permit issues, sections 94-240 through 94-243 add operational rules: every parade must have a traffic-trained escort, made up of off-duty police officers or persons specially commissioned by the chief; the parade must move in a column with the escort at the head or at points of intersection danger; every vehicle must keep its headlights on or carry a distinguishing marker, and marked, escorted vehicles may lawfully cross against a red signal; and no automobile may cut into or between an escorted, marked parade.