Las Cruces, NM Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit trigger
- 200+ people or 50+ vehicles
- Who issues it
- Chief of police
- Exempt groups
- Military, police, fire department units
- Fine
- $56.00 penalty assessment
- Marking rule
- Pennant or insignia on each vehicle
Summary
A funeral, procession or parade of 200 or more people or 50 or more vehicles cannot use a Las Cruces street without a permit from the chief of police. Sec. 27-12-6-12.20(D) sets the threshold; smaller processions still must follow the section's rules on following distance, insignia and driving position, and a violation is a $56.00 penalty assessment.
A.No driver of a vehicle shall drive between the vehicles comprising a funeral or other authorized procession while the procession is in motion and when the vehicles in the procession are conspicuously designated as required in this section...D.No funeral, procession or parade containing 200 or more persons or 50 or more vehicles, except the Armed Forces of the United States, the military forces of this state and the forces of the police and fire departments, shall occupy, march or proceed along any street except in accordance with a permit issued by the chief of police and such other regulations as are set forth herein which may apply. (Ord. No. 2121, § VI, 7-19-04)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 33 | Land Development Code: Supplement 28).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 20 of the Las Cruces Code of Ordinances, in force under Ord. No. ' The ordinance carves out federal and state military units and the city's own police and fire departments from the permit requirement regardless of size. Below that 200-person or 50-vehicle threshold, the rest of Sec. 20 still applies to any procession: other drivers may not cut between vehicles in a moving funeral or procession once it is conspicuously marked, each vehicle in the procession must stay as close to the right-hand edge of the street as practicable while following the vehicle ahead, and a funeral procession must display a pennant or other identifying insignia on each vehicle or use another method designated by the traffic division.
None of this requires a permit unless the size threshold is met. A violation of Sec. 20, including holding an unpermitted large parade or breaking into a marked procession, is listed as 'Processions' on the city's flat penalty schedule at Sec. 00 assessment, payable within 30 days before the case is referred to Las Cruces Municipal Court for prosecution.
Violations & Fines
Running a funeral, procession or parade of 200 or more persons or 50 or more vehicles without a police-chief permit, or breaking a driver's duty to stay right and follow closely in a marked procession, is a $56.00 penalty assessment under Sec. 27-12-14-4. Non-payment within 30 days sends the case to Las Cruces Municipal Court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every parade in Las Cruces need a permit?
Who is exempt from the Las Cruces parade permit rule?
What's the penalty for holding an unpermitted parade?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Las Cruces
Compare Las Cruces to another location·View the New Mexico special events & permits overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.