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Imperial County, CA Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

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

Key Facts

Governing permit
Encroachment permit, Ch. 12.12
Fee waiver
Nonprofits, on request
Waiver grantor
Public works director
Applies to
Unincorporated county roads only

Summary

Parades, walk-a-thons and bicycle races on Imperial County roads run through the same encroachment permit as any other right-of-way use, though nonprofits can get the fee waived.

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

Upon presentation of nonprofit status the director of public works or designee may exempt the nonprofit organization from the encroachment permit fee for such activities as parades, walk-a-thons, bicycle races, or similar events.B.Any city, county service area or the Imperial irrigation district may be exempted by the public works director or designee from paying any applicable encroachment fee if that agency grants a similar exemption to county in granting of encroachment permits. (Ord. 1370 § 2 (part), 2003)

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 62 - 9-25).

Full Breakdown

The county has no standalone parade ordinance; a parade, walk-a-thon or bicycle race using a public road falls under the § 12.12.010 encroachment permit requirement for placing or using the right-of-way. Section 12.12.040 lets the public works director or a designee waive the encroachment permit fee for a nonprofit organization running such an event, and can also waive fees for cities, county service areas or the Imperial Irrigation District that grant the county a reciprocal exemption.

Violations & Fines

Holding a parade or similar road event without the underlying encroachment permit is treated the same as any unpermitted right-of-way use: an infraction/misdemeanor under § 1.16.010, with unpermitted work billed at double fees under § 12.12.030(F).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a nonprofit walk-a-thon need to pay the encroachment fee on county roads?
Not necessarily. Imperial County Code § 12.12.040 lets the public works director exempt a nonprofit from the fee, though the underlying permit is still required.
Does this cover a parade route through downtown El Centro?
No: that's inside the City of El Centro's own jurisdiction; this county rule only applies to unincorporated roads.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Imperial County

Noise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsPark Event PermitsSome RestrictionsSidewalk Dining & CafésSignificant RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSignificant Restrictions

All Imperial County rules

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