Johnson County, KS Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

Sec. 50-114 requires a permit before conducting any parade or public demonstration on a public road or right-of-way in the unincorporated county. Sec. 50-116 sets the standards: applicants must file a map of the designated route or demonstration area with start and finish times, and obtain authorization from the office of the county sheriff. The sheriff issues that authorization only after determining the parade will not substantially interrupt the safe and orderly flow of traffic, that alternate routes can safely absorb displaced traffic, and that the event can be conducted safely from start to finish.

A parade or demonstration cannot exceed four hours, and it cannot be held solely for private profit or to promote or advertise specific products, goods or services. Sec. 50-117 sets conduct rules once a permit issues: the event must run only during daylight hours, stay on public roadways and rights-of-way without crossing onto private property, proceed in an orderly and timely manner, and use traffic-control and warning signs as the sheriff requires. The permit holder must clean up all rubbish and trash generated by the event, and no cereal malt or alcoholic beverages may be sold, served or consumed as part of it.

Sec. 50-118 lets the sheriff require an alternate route or location at any time for public health, safety or welfare, and Sec. 50-115 exempts funerals, school-sponsored parades and government-sponsored parades from the entire division.