Decatur, GA Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

Article VI of Chapter 86, the Code of Ordinances for the City of Decatur, DeKalb County, Georgia, defines a 'special event' broadly in Section 86-151 as any parade, march, ceremony, demonstration, show, exhibition, pageant, athletic event or procession, or similar display, on a street, sidewalk, park or other public property, that interferes with the normal flow of traffic or public use of the property; the section adds that movement from one point to another is not required, so a stationary rally counts too. Section 86-152 makes it unlawful to engage in, participate in, aid, form or start a special event without a permit issued by the office of the director of public safety.

Section 86-154 requires the written application to be filed not less than 14 days nor more than 60 days before the event, though Section 86-156 lets the director accept a late application for good cause. Section 86-155 lists 18 required disclosures, including the route, assembly points, expected crowd size, hours, sound equipment and any temporary structures. Section 86-157 directs the director to issue the permit unless the event would substantially disrupt traffic, drain police protection from the rest of the city, endanger fire or ambulance access, provoke disorder, or contain false information; the director must act within five working days and give written reasons for any denial.

Section 86-153 exempts funeral processions, school-supervised activities, government-run public events, permitted city block parties, and peaceful labor picketing from the permit requirement entirely. 00, up to six months in jail, or both.