Carrollton, TX Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Application window
- 20-60 business days before the parade
- Permit decision timeframe
- Normally within 10 business days
- Max fine
- $500 per offense
- Restricted route hours
- 7-9 a.m., noon-1 p.m., 4:30-6:30 p.m. weekdays
- Revocation trigger
- Parade not started within 30 minutes
Summary
Organizing or joining a parade on a Carrollton street without a permit from the City Manager is a criminal offense. Applications must be filed 20 to 60 business days ahead, and sponsors typically pay for the police officers the route requires.
(A) A person commits an offense if he/she knowingly organizes, engages in, participates in, aids or commences a parade upon the streets of the city without making written application for and receiving a parade permit from the City Manager or designee. (B) Application for parade permits shall be made not less than 20 business days nor more than 60 business days prior to the date and time of the commencement of the parade. (C) No parade permit shall be required for the following: (1) The Armed Forces of the United States of America, the military forces of the state and the forces of the Police and Fire Departments acting within the scope of their duties. (2) Funeral processions proceeding by vehicle by the most reasonable route from a funeral home, church or residence of a deceased to the place of service or place of interment.
Full Breakdown
22 makes it an offense to knowingly organize, engage in, participate in, aid or commence a parade on city streets without first applying for and receiving a parade permit from the City Manager or a designee; the application window runs from 20 to 60 business days before the parade's start. Military units, police and fire units acting in their official duties, funeral processions, and sidewalk processions that obey traffic devices are exempt. 23 must name the sponsor, the exact route with staging and disassembly areas, the estimated participant count, and signed statements that children under 11 will not walk or ride in the parade on arterial streets and that only one stationary performance per marching unit will occur; it comes with a nonrefundable permit fee plus the city's actual costs for police, fire and public works support.
25, including a conflicting parade already permitted for the same time and place or an applicant's refusal to sign the required safety statements. ). 29 requires the applicant to indemnify the city against injury or property claims arising from the parade.
Violations & Fines
Holding or joining an unpermitted parade is a criminal offense under § 117.22, and Chapter 117 sits in the code's general penalty tier carrying a fine of up to $500 per offense under § 10.99(A)(1)(k). Beyond the fine, sponsors of parades over 100 participants or 25 units must supply a final headcount 7 to 10 days ahead or risk revocation, and sponsors are billed directly for required police overtime, due no later than two business days before the event; unpaid police costs are themselves grounds for permit denial.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far ahead do I need to apply for a Carrollton parade permit?
Does a small neighborhood procession need a police escort?
Who is exempt from Carrollton's parade permit requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Carrollton
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Carrollton to another location·View the Texas special events & permits overview
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Parade Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Dallas County handle parade permits.