Duluth, MN Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

Sec. 45-47(i) defines a parade narrowly as an organized procession of persons or vehicles, other than a funeral procession, proceeding on a street, distinguishing it from a race under Sec. 45-47(k) or a public assembly of pedestrians under Sec. 45-47(j). Sec. 45-50 makes clear that no person or organization may hold any special event, parades included, without first securing a permit from the city, and Sec. 1(c) ties the filing deadline to expected turnout: 30 days ahead for 50 to 500 participants and 90 days ahead for larger parades, filed with the city clerk with a description of the route, sound equipment, and any restrooms the sponsor will provide.

The special events committee evaluates a parade application against the criteria in Sec. 3(a), including whether the route can move from start to end without unreasonable delay, whether enough police can be deployed without harming safety elsewhere in the city, and whether the parade conflicts with another already-permitted event at the same time or place. Sec. m. Once the city issues the permit, Sec. 45-53(a) requires the permittee to notify every occupant and building manager directly abutting the parade route by leaflet, delivered no fewer than 48 hours and no more than seven days before the event, describing the route, restrictions on traffic and parking, and the permittee's contact information. Sec. 45-52 separately requires the permittee to file comprehensive general liability insurance with the city clerk before the permit takes effect.