Chelan County, WA Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit trigger
- 25 or more participants requires a permit
- Parade permit exemption
- Military, police, fire parades (application still required)
- Misdemeanor penalty
- Up to $1,000 fine, 90 days jail
- Civil penalty
- Up to $5,000 per day
- Appeal window
- 14 days to appeal denial/revocation
Summary
Chelan County requires a right-of-way activity permit for parades and other events on county roads under Chelan County Code § 9.26.030, but exempts military and public-safety parades from permit approval, and enforces violations with fines up to $1,000 per day.
§ 9.26.030. Right-of-way activity permits required. Except as authorized by a county-issued right-of-way activity permit, the following activities or events on a public right-of-way in Chelan County are unlawful: (1) Activities or events likely to or substantially obstructing or interfering with the public use of public rights-of-way; or ... (4) Activities or events involving twenty-five or more participants; or ... § 9.26.040. Exemptions from permit requirement. ... Parades of the armed forces of the United States, military forces of this state, and forces of police and fire departments are exempt from permit approval; provided, that an application form identifying the group, providing contact information, and, as necessary, including an approved traffic control plan, is submitted to the sheriff’s office. ... § 9.26.060. Violations and penalties. ... Any person violating or failing to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be punished by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars and imprisonment in jail for a period not to exceed ninety days, or both such fine and imprisonment. Each day’s violation constitutes a separate offense.
Full Breakdown
030. armed forces, state military forces, and police or fire departments are exempt from permit approval, provided the organizing group still submits an application form to the Sheriff's Office identifying the group, giving contact information, and, where necessary, an approved traffic control plan. 070 require permittees to carry liability insurance naming the county as an additional insured, provide adequate parking and cleanup, and comply with recycling requirements for beverage containers sold at the event. Appeals of a permit denial or revocation go to the Board of County Commissioners within fourteen days, with a hearing held within thirty days of the appeal.
Violations & Fines
Organizing or participating in an unpermitted right-of-way activity, or interfering with a permitted one, is a misdemeanor under § 9.26.060 punishable by a fine of up to one thousand dollars and up to ninety days in jail, with each day of violation a separate offense; the county may also impose a civil penalty of up to five thousand dollars per day in addition to criminal penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a parade in unincorporated Chelan County need a permit?
Are military or first-responder parades exempt from the permit?
What happens if someone holds a parade without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chelan County
Compare Chelan County to another location·View the Washington special events & permits overview
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