San Diego County, CA Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- Road Commissioner
- Filing window
- 30-180 days ahead
- Street closure over 24 hrs
- Needs Board approval
- Max misdemeanor fine
- $1,000 / 6 months jail
- Appeal path
- Board of Supervisors
Summary
Unincorporated San Diego County requires a written Road Commissioner permit before any parade or special event uses a street.
No person shall conduct or manage a parade or special event without a written permit from the Road Commissioner or the Board of Supervisors.
(c) Issuance of Permit.
(1) The Road Commissioner may issue permits in accordance with this section.
(2) Upon appeal from a decision of the Road Commissioner the Board of Supervisors may issue a permit in accordance with this section.
(3) Any such permit may be issued subject to such reasonable conditions as the Road Commissioner or the Board of Supervisors may prescribe.
(4) The Road Commissioner shall not, without the approval of the Board of Supervisors, issue a permit for a parade or a special event which requires the temporary closing of a portion of a street for more than 24 hours.
(5) Security Deposit - Prior to issuance of a permit, a security deposit may be required of the applicant or sponsoring organization, to assure the return of County barricades and signs, which must be used for traffic control around the parade or special event. If the applicant has properly placed, removed, and returned the barricades and signs in the same condition as received and no corrective action by County crews was necessary, the deposit will be refunded in full.
(6) Insurance - Liability insurance covering the parade or special event participants and the County of San Diego will be required for all events. The coverage amount to be determined by the Road Commissioner.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-141: Administrative: Current through Ord. No. 11007 (N.S.), effective 7-10-26 | Regulatory: Current through Ord. No. 11008 (N.S.), effective 7-24-26).
Full Breakdown
County Code Sec. 72.249.5 bars conducting or managing a parade or special event in unincorporated San Diego County without a written permit from the Road Commissioner or Board of Supervisors. Applications go in 30 to 180 days ahead, and the Road Commissioner can require a security deposit for barricades/signs plus liability insurance before signing off.
Violations & Fines
Violating Sec. 72.249.5 is a misdemeanor under Sec. 11.116, punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, up to six months in County Jail, or both; prosecutors may reduce a charge to an infraction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues parade permits in unincorporated San Diego County?
Are any events exempt from the permit requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Diego County to another location·View the California special events & permits overview
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