Lakewood, WA Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

LMC 12.06.060(A) frames the chapter around free speech and assembly rights, stating the section's time, place and manner restrictions on Lakewood's streets must be broadly interpreted to protect those rights. Subsection B requires a permit for any individual or organization planning an event that will or may disrupt normal traffic flow or use of a public street, highway, sidewalk, alley or publicly owned parking lot; peaceful assembly on private or public property that does not interfere with traffic or building access needs no permit, though notice to the City is still requested. The permitting official may suspend any requirement of the chapter, including fees or insurance, where enforcing it would inhibit constitutional rights.

Subsection C requires the sponsor to provide a certificate of insurance for public liability and property damage, in amounts the City Manager sets as a minimum, naming the City of Lakewood as an additional insured with at least 10 days' notice before cancellation. Decisions on permit approvals or conditions must be made without regard to the message, purpose or content of the speech at the event under subsection E, and a permit can be conditioned, amended or denied only on written findings such as unsafe disruption of traffic, an excessive law-enforcement diversion, a conflict with an already-permitted event, or unacceptable impact on arterial streets. A denied or conditioned applicant may appeal to the City Clerk within five days.