Lawrence, MA Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

28, Meetings, Assemblies and Parades in Public Places, defines "activity" as a parade or public meeting or assembly; "parade" as a march or procession of any kind; and "public meeting or assembly" as a planned or organized gathering, or any ceremony, show, exhibition or pageant reasonably expected to draw a crowd, upon a public street, park or other public grounds. 020 makes it unlawful to hold, manage, conduct, aid, participate in, form, start or carry on such an activity without a permit obtained under the chapter.

030 exempts funeral processions, governmental agencies acting within their function, and school-sanctioned student activities under school authority supervision. 040 requires a written application filed with the chief of police at least five days beforehand, listing the organizer's contact information, the person in charge, the purpose, date, time and route, expected participants and any vehicles, equipment or animals, an assembly-and-dispersal plan, whether the parade will use the whole street, and whether a permit was sought from any other city along the route. 050 requires the chief to issue the permit once findings are met: no substantial traffic interruption, no undue interference with fire, police or ambulance service, no interference with emergency equipment, no likely injury to persons or property, and the activity is not held solely to advertise a business. 090). 130 bars unreasonably obstructing a permitted activity and lets the chief restrict parking along the route.