Burlington, NC Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

Chapter 25, Article II governs parades, defined in Section 25-1 as a march, procession or similar activity of persons, animals, vehicles or things that disrupts the normal flow of traffic on a public street, expressly excluding funeral processions. Section 25-5 requires anyone who wants to engage in, participate in, aid, form or start a parade to first obtain a permit from the chief of police, and requires separate city council approval whenever the parade will require closing a street. Section 25-6 exempts funeral processions, students traveling to or from school under staff supervision, and government agencies acting within their functions.

Section 25-7 requires an applicant to file with the chief of police between ten and fifteen days before the event, listing the organizer's contact information, the sponsoring organization if any, the parade chairman, the date, route, starting and ending points, the approximate number of people, animals and vehicles involved, start and end times, whether the full street width will be used, assembly locations and times, and spacing between units; Section 25-8 lets the chief accept a late application for good cause. Section 25-9 requires the chief to issue the permit once satisfied on eight points, including that the parade will not substantially disrupt traffic, will not divert so many police officers or ambulances as to leave the rest of the city underprotected, will not interfere with firefighting, is not likely to cause injury or provoke disorder, will move promptly from start to finish, and is not held solely to advertise a product or for private profit.

Section 25-10 requires the chief to act within two days and to give written reasons for any denial, with the chief's permit fixing the parade's start time, minimum and maximum speed, spacing, route and length.