De Pere, WI Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

Chapter 138 of the De Pere Code of Ordinances requires a permit from the chief of police before any person may participate in or form a parade, defined broadly to cover any march, ceremony, show, exhibition, pageant, procession or similar display in a street, park or other public place in the city. Funeral processions, students moving to and from school activities under staff supervision, and government agencies acting within their own functions are exempt.

An applicant files with the chief of police not less than 30 nor more than 45 days before the parade date, though the chief may accept a late application for good cause. The application must list the organizer's contact information, the parade route with starting and ending points, the number of people, animals and vehicles involved, start and end times, assembly locations and spacing between units, among other details. Section 138-2(c)(4) sets the fee at zero.

The chief of police must act on an application within three days of filing. A denial must state its reasons in writing and be mailed to the applicant within five days of the filing date. An applicant who is turned down can appeal to the common council at its next regular meeting, where both the applicant and the police chief get a chance to be heard. Once issued, a permit sets the parade's minimum and maximum speed, spacing between units, streets that may be occupied, and maximum length, and the parade chair must carry the permit while the parade is underway.