Monterey, CA Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

Section 32-4(b)(4) defines a 'special event' to include any organized parade, march, procession, demonstration, run, motorcade or promenade that will not comply with applicable traffic regulations or will interfere with free use of a public way, plus any activity on city-owned or controlled property involving 150 or more persons; the code lists concerts, parades, fairs, festivals, ticketed events, block parties and running events as examples. Anyone conducting, managing or participating in such an event on a city street, sidewalk, alley, park, wharf or other public property needs a permit under § 32-4(c), unless the activity is run by a government agency acting within its authority, is an expressive activity under 150 people, or is a camping or day-use activity governed separately under § 23-9.

Parade-type events and larger expressive events must apply in writing at least two days in advance; other special events such as competitions, ticketed events and sales or trade shows must apply at least 90 business days ahead. Permit fees are set by City Council resolution and are based on the City's actual costs, including fire safety, traffic and pedestrian control, street closures, and personnel overtime, but the code bars charging a permittee for police protection against hostile counter-demonstrators, and the fee is waived entirely for an indigent applicant or an organization whose members are majority indigent, upon proof under § 32-4(d)(3).

The permit process sits within Article 1 of Chapter 32, which also governs sidewalk obstruction and encroachments, so a parade organizer coordinating street closures may also need to satisfy the encroachment and obstruction rules elsewhere in the same chapter.