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Honolulu County, HI Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Permit required
Before any parade or street closure
Issuing agency
Dept. of Transportation Services director
Exemptions
Funeral processions, military and police marches
Max penalty
$200 fine plus up to 30 days jail
Alcohol service
Requires separate liquor commission license

Summary

A permit from the director of transportation services is required before any parade, march, or other activity that closes an Oahu street, with limited exceptions for military and public-safety processions.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Honolulu County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Except for funeral processions, parades, marches, or other processions by members of the United States Armed Forces, State of Hawaii Armed Forces, and city police and fire departments, a person may not conduct a street activity on streets or highways without first obtaining a permit from the director pursuant to this section.

(c)   Application. An applicant desiring a street activity permit shall file with the department a permit application on a form prescribed by the director. Information to be submitted on the application form must at a minimum include:

(1)   The type of street activity, and the date the street activity will be held;

(2)   The starting time and estimated duration of the street activity;

(3)   The route or location of the street activity;

(4)   Whether the street activity is a First Amendment street activity; and

(5)   For a street activity that is not a First Amendment street activity, the public purpose to be served by the street activity.

(d)   Requirements prior to the issuance of a street activity permit.

(1)   Public purpose. All street activities must serve a public purpose. The director shall determine whether the street activity serves a public purpose.

(A)   For purposes of this section, a First Amendment street activity is deemed to serve a public purpose.

(B)   The director may determine that a non-First Amendment street activity serves a public purpose so long as any private benefit arising out of the

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-10: Supplement 10, 12-2025 Ordinance No. 25-40 through Ordinance No. 25-56).

Full Breakdown

Anyone planning a parade, march, or other procession that requires exclusive use of an Oahu street must apply to the Department of Transportation Services for a street activity permit before the event, under Revised Ordinances of Honolulu § 15-24.20. Funeral processions and marches by the U.S. Armed Forces, Hawaii Armed Forces, and city police and fire departments are exempt. The director can impose conditions addressing public safety, traffic, and emergency-vehicle access, and applicants serving alcohol must also hold a Honolulu Liquor Commission license. The requirement applies island-wide, not just in Waikiki.

Violations & Fines

Operating without a permit, urging others to participate without one, or disobeying a police officer's public-safety order is a violation punishable by up to a $200 fine, 30 days' imprisonment, or both, per § 15-24.20(h).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit for a small neighborhood parade on Oahu?
Yes. ROH § 15-24.20 requires a street activity permit from the Department of Transportation Services for any parade, march, or activity needing exclusive use of a street, with narrow exemptions.
Are First Amendment marches exempt from Honolulu's parade permit rule?
No, but they're treated differently: a First Amendment street activity is automatically deemed to serve a public purpose, and an application not denied within three working days is deemed granted.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Honolulu County

All Honolulu County rules

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