Coconut Creek, FL Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit fee
- $50 nonrefundable; waived on attestation of indigence, charity or nonprofit status
- Advance filing
- 72 hours (pickets, demonstrations); two weeks (parades, block parties)
- Decision deadline
- 12 hours after filing
- Permitted hours
- 7:00 a.m. to sunset; block parties exempt from the window
- Picket limits
- 10 pickets per sidewalk per block; signs 2 ft by 2 ft
- Denial appeal
- Hearing before the City Commission
Summary
In the City of Coconut Creek, Florida, no parade, picket line, group demonstration or block party can take place on public streets, sidewalks, rights-of-way, alleys or parks until a permit is secured. The application costs a nonrefundable $50, is due 72 hours ahead for pickets and demonstrations and two weeks ahead for parades and block parties, and gets a decision within 12 hours.
No parade, picket line, group demonstration or block party shall be conducted in or upon the public streets, sidewalks, rights-of-way, alleys, parks or other public grounds or places in the city until a permit therefor has been secured. ... (a)A person seeking issuance of a parade, picketing, group demonstration or block party permit shall file an application in writing with the director of development services. All applications for permits shall be filed with the director of development services during normal business hours and not less than seventy-two (72) hours in advance of the date on which the picket line, or group demonstration and two (2) weeks in advance of the date on which the parade or block party is to be held.(b)A nonrefundable fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) shall accompany the permit application unless the applicant signs a form attesting to the fact that the applicant is indigent or is a charity or non-profit organization.
Full Breakdown
Article II of Chapter 17 of the Coconut Creek Code covers picketing, parades, demonstrations and block parties. Section 17-51 bars all four activities on public streets, sidewalks, rights-of-way, alleys, parks and other public grounds until a permit has been secured, and section 17-22 makes it unlawful to run one except under the article and the permit issued for it. Two categories are exempt under section 17-23: funeral processions and official functions of the City government.
The application goes in writing to the director of development services during normal business hours. It lists the date, hour, duration, location and route, plus the number of anticipated pedestrians or vehicles. The sponsor or participant in charge signs it and carries the permit at all times during the activity. Section 17-53 adds a hold harmless and indemnification statement that the applicant executes on filing. The director of sustainable development issues the permit after approval by the chief of police, and the director and chief act on the application within 12 hours of filing. Section 17-52(e) shortens the notice period to 72 hours when they find that safe movement, traffic and police protection can be arranged in that time.
The permit does not lift the operating limits. Under section 17-24, parades, picket lines and group demonstrations run only between 7:00 a.m. and sunset, while block parties are exempt from that window but cannot become a nuisance or disturbance to residents. Marchers stay within ten feet of one another, and a parade keeps moving at two miles per hour or faster (17-25). Picketing is confined to sidewalks, capped at ten pickets per sidewalk within a block, and signs stay at two feet by two feet or smaller with no sticks or clubs (17-26). Carrying a knife, blackjack, nightstick or other weapon is unlawful (17-27). Under 17-29, demonstrations about private personal issues are kept out of the Government Center, city parks and city buildings, and nonlocal issues are kept out of the Government Center.
Violations & Fines
Section 17-30 sends a violation to the code enforcement board or a court of competent jurisdiction, which imposes a fine under section 1-8 plus any added penalties. The Chapter 17 schedule in section 1-8 is $50 for a first offense, $75 for a second, $100 for a third and $100 to $500 for a fourth. The director of sustainable development and the chief of police must revoke a permit when the activity is not run as the article and the permit require (17-55).
Frequently Asked Questions
How far ahead must I apply for a parade or block party in Coconut Creek?
What does the permit cost?
What happens if my Coconut Creek permit is denied?
Can a demonstration be held at the Coconut Creek Government Center or a city park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Coconut Creek
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Parade Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Broward County handle parade permits.