Hammond, IN Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit trigger
- 200+ people or 50+ vehicles
- Permit issuer
- Chief of Police
- Route authority
- Chief of Police or Board of Works
- Exempt groups
- military, militia, Police, Fire
- Maximum fine
- $2,500 under § 10.99
- Repeat offense fine
- up to $7,500
Summary
In the City of Hammond, Indiana, any parade or procession of 200 or more people or 50 or more vehicles needs a permit from the Chief of Police before it can march or drive down a public street. The Board of Public Works and Safety or the Chief of Police sets the approved route, and the military, state militia, and city Police and Fire Departments are the only groups exempt from the permit under Hammond Code of Ordinances § 101.006.
(A) No procession or parade containing 200 or more persons or 50 or more vehicles, except the forces of the United States Army or Navy or the military forces of the state and the forces of the Police and Fire Departments, shall occupy, march or proceed along any street except and in accordance with a permit issued by the Chief of Police and any other regulations as are set forth herein which apply. (B) Permission for all parades must be obtained from the Chief of Police or the Board of Public Works and Safety, and these officials may designate the routes of the parade.
Full Breakdown
006 of its Code of Ordinances, part of Chapter 101's street and sidewalk regulations. The rule applies only once a procession reaches a size threshold: 200 or more marchers or 50 or more vehicles. 016. 006 threshold, the Chief of Police issues the permit and, together with the Board of Public Works and Safety, has authority to fix the parade's route through the city. The ordinance carves out only four categories that never need a permit regardless of size: United States Army units, United States Navy units, the state's military forces, and the city's own Police and Fire Departments.
002, and any police officer who finds an unpermitted procession blocking a street is directed to work to clear it. 99 rather than a parade-specific dollar figure.
Violations & Fines
Hammond has no parade-specific fine written into § 101.006, so a violation defaults to the Chapter 101 general penalty at § 10.99: a fine of up to $2,500, with every day the violation continues counted as a separate offense. A second conviction under the same provision raises the maximum to $7,500. The Chief of Police and the Code Enforcement Commissioner are charged with enforcing the chapter, and officers who encounter an unpermitted procession are directed to work toward clearing the obstruction it creates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every parade in Hammond need a city permit?
Who issues a Hammond parade permit?
Are any groups exempt from Hammond's parade permit rule?
What happens if a large parade proceeds without a Hammond permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hammond
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