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Maricopa County, AZ Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

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

Key Facts

Permit required
Right-of-Way Permit from MCDOT before event
Plan review fee
$100 per sheet (Exhibit A)
Scope
Unincorporated Maricopa County only
Enforcing agency
Maricopa County Department of Transportation
Penalty
Up to class 2 misdemeanor fine per day

Summary

Block parties, parades, fairs and other special events that use unincorporated Maricopa County road right-of-way need a Right-of-Way Permit from MCDOT before the event, with a $100-per-sheet special event plan review fee.

City-specific rules exist: Phoenix, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Surprise, Goodyear, Peoria, Chandler, and Glendale have their own parade permits rules that differ from Maricopa County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

Special Events: One-time occupation such as neighborhood block parties, holiday celebrations, fairs, festivals, promotional events, sporting events, and other similar types of events, approved to occur in Maricopa County Right-of-Way.

Source: Maricopa County CodeView official code

Full Breakdown

Maricopa County Ordinance P-36 defines a "Special Event" as a one-time occupation of county right-of-way, block parties, holiday celebrations, fairs, festivals, promotional events, sporting events and similar, that must be approved before it happens. Holding an event on a county road counts as "Work," so Article IV's rule applies: no occupation of a Right-of-Way is allowed until the Department of Transportation issues a Permit. Organizers submit plans to MCDOT, pay a Special Event Plan Review fee of $100 per sheet under Exhibit A, and follow the MCDOT Traffic Control Manual for event traffic control. This applies only in unincorporated Maricopa County, Phoenix, Mesa and other cities issue their own event permits.

Violations & Fines

Occupying county right-of-way for an event without a Permit is a violation; MCDOT can issue a Cease Work Order and pursue a civil penalty up to the maximum class 2 misdemeanor fine per day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit for a parade or block party in Maricopa County?
Yes: if it uses unincorporated county road right-of-way, Ordinance P-36 requires a Right-of-Way Permit from MCDOT before the event, including a Special Event Plan Review at $100 per sheet.
Does this apply inside Phoenix, Mesa or Scottsdale?
No. Ordinance P-36 governs only unincorporated Maricopa County right-of-way; incorporated cities like Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale and Chandler issue their own special-event and parade permits.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Maricopa County

Street Fair RulesSome RestrictionsBlock Party PermitsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Pet Groomer RulesSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/NeuterFew RestrictionsFire Regulations: FireworksSignificant RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: CompostingSome RestrictionsZoning Overlays & Bonuses: Specific Plans OverviewSome Restrictions

All Maricopa County rules

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Parade Permits in Cities Across Maricopa County

Phoenix, AZMesa, AZScottsdale, AZChandler, AZGilbert, AZGlendale, AZTempe, AZPeoria, AZSurprise, AZGoodyear, AZ