Marietta, GA Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

Chapter 9-8 of the Marietta Code of Ordinances governs any parade, march, ceremony, demonstration, show, pageant, road race or walk on a city street, sidewalk, park or other public place. Section 9-8-020 requires a parade permit from the office of the city manager before anyone may engage in, participate in, aid, form or start such an event; Section 9-8-030 exempts funeral processions (with the police department notified of time and route), school-sponsored activities under staff supervision, and government agencies acting within their functions. Section 9-8-040 sets filing deadlines that vary by event type: a road race or walk needs 60 to 365 days' notice, a parade or march requiring road closures needs 30 to 365 days, and a demonstration or ceremony without road closures needs only three business days to 30 days.

Applications must use a route from the police department's preapproved list, name a 24-hour contact, and include an approved hold-harmless agreement. No non-city sponsored events run on Memorial Day, July 2 through 6, September 11, December 22 through 27, weekdays during nonholiday work days, or on Sundays downtown, and only two parades (excluding road races) may run per day, capped at two per month. Section 9-8-050 lets the city manager issue a permit only after finding the event will not substantially interrupt traffic, overtax police or ambulance coverage, or unreasonably delay firefighting response, and is not held purely to advertise a product for private profit.

Under Section 9-8-060 a denial must be mailed within five business days stating reasons; Section 9-8-070 lets an aggrieved applicant appeal to the city council within two business days. Section 9-8-100 sets road race/walk fees on the city's chart of fees, due at registration, plus a per-officer policing fee due the day of the event. Section 9-8-130 lets the city manager revoke an issued permit for the same reasons that would justify a denial.