Fulton County, GA Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Right-of-way parades
- need Police Dept approval
- Under 250 attendees
- administrative permit
- 250+ attendees
- use permit required
- Governing section
- Zoning Resolution § 3.3.19
Summary
In unincorporated Fulton County, any parade, foot race, bikeathon or fundraising walk that uses the public right-of-way needs sign-off from the Fulton County Police Department before it can happen, under the Zoning Resolution's special-event definition.
Events which will occur in the public right-of-way, such as roadway foot races, fundraising walks, bikeathons, parades, etc. are subject to the approval of the Fulton County Police Department. For special events local in nature and marketed only to the local community which anticipate less than 250 attendees at any one time, see administrative permit (Article 19.3.3. Event, Special Indoor/Outdoor). See use permit (Article 19.4.19. Festivals or Events, Outdoor/Indoor) for special events marketed to populations outside the local community where organizer anticipates 250 attendees or more at any one time. The director shall make the final determination of the appropriate category. (Added 4-5-06; 16-0363, pt. 3, 5-4-16)
Specified Anatomical Areas. Less than completely and opaquely covered human genitals, pubic regions, buttocks, or female breasts below a point immediately above the top of the areola; and human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state, even if completely and opaquely covered. (Added 6-5-96)
Specified Sexual Activities. Human genitals in a state of sexual stimulation or arousal; acts of human masturbation, sexual intercourse or sodomy; fondling or other erotic touching of human genitals, pubic regions, buttocks or female breasts. (Added 6-5-96)
Spill Light. The light that illuminates surfaces beyond the intended area of illumination caused by the uncontrolled direct light component from the luminaires. (Added 2-1-06)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 57).
Full Breakdown
Zoning Resolution § 3.3.19 defines a 'Special Event' to include parades, roadway foot races, fundraising walks and bikeathons, and states plainly that events occurring in the public right-of-way are subject to the approval of the Fulton County Police Department. Smaller local events expecting under 250 attendees at once instead go through an administrative permit (Article 19.3.3, Event, Special Indoor/Outdoor); larger events marketed beyond the local community, with 250 or more attendees expected at a time, need a use permit under Article 19.4.19. The Director of Environment and Community Development makes the final call on which category an event falls into.
Violations & Fines
The resolution doesn't spell out a specific fine for holding an unapproved parade; enforcement runs through the permit process itself. Police Department approval, or an administrative or use permit, is a precondition to holding the event at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a small neighborhood parade in Fulton County?
Which county office decides what kind of permit my event needs?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fulton County
Compare Fulton County to another location·View the Georgia special events & permits overview
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