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

Chapter 9.57 requires a permit for any parade, athletic event, block party, or public assembly that obstructs or interferes with normal vehicle or pedestrian traffic on a city street, parking facility, sidewalk, or right-of-way (§ 9.57.010, § 9.57.050(a)). A "parade" is defined as any organized march or procession of animals, vehicles, or persons on a city street or public right-of-way (§ 9.57.020), though a funeral or wedding procession is exempt from the permit requirement (§ 9.57.060). Every event application must include the organizer's contact information, event date and estimated times, location and boundaries, estimated participants, and details on vehicles, signs, sound amplification equipment, and vendors (§ 9.57.130).

Parade applications must additionally state when units will begin to assemble, the proposed assembly point and route, the interval space between units, and the number, type, and size of floats (§ 9.57.140). Applications generally must be filed at least seventy days before the event to preserve appeal rights, or thirty days if the applicant waives a city council appeal (§ 9.57.180). The public works director must act within fifteen business days (§ 9.57.180(b)). A permit can be denied if the parade will not move from origin to termination in three hours or less, if float decorations are not fire-resistive, or if the route would substantially disrupt a hospital or school in session (§ 9.57.220). Fees, including a traffic control fee covering public safety personnel costs, are set by city council resolution (§ 9.57.070).