Highland, CA Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

Section 16.08.130 of the Highland Municipal Code creates the special event permit for the short-term placement of activities on privately or publicly owned property in the City of Highland, San Bernardino County. Its stated purpose is to make sure those activities are compatible with the surrounding areas.

Authority sits with the community development director. The exception is scale: a public hearing at city council along with city council approval is required for any event anticipated to accommodate 2,500 or more persons at any given time. No permit is required for events held in theaters, meeting halls, or other permanent public assembly facilities, and an event can still need additional permits, other city department approvals, licenses, and inspections.

The director weighs four criteria: the event will not jeopardize or endanger public health, safety, or general welfare; the site is adequate in size and shape without material detriment to adjacent properties; the streets or highways serving the site have sufficient width and improvements for the expected traffic; and adequate temporary parking will be available on-site or at alternate locations the director accepts.

Table 16.08.130.A sets numeric limits. Noncommercial tent meetings are allowed in all districts for 10 days and 1 occurrence per calendar year. A circus with tent gets 7 days and 1 occurrence in commercial and industrial districts. Commercial and noncommercial carnivals, fairs, concerts, exhibits, and festivals each get 7 days and 2 occurrences, with the noncommercial version open to sites with active conditional use permits, public schools, public parks, and commercial and industrial districts. Holiday sales get 30 days and 2 occurrences in all zones, outdoor merchandise sales get 14 days and 4 occurrences in commercial districts, and food truck events get 18 days and 6 occurrences in nonresidential districts under HMC § 16.44.290. The table does not name parades, so a parade organizer should confirm with Community Development how the permit applies.

The director can attach conditions covering temporary parking, nuisance factors, sanitary and medical facilities, solid waste collection, security, signs, operating hours, and a performance bond or other surety device for removal of temporary structures.