Mountain View, CA Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

The Parade Ordinance, adopted in 1965 and codified at Chapter 22, Article I of the Mountain View City Code, makes it unlawful to engage in, participate in, aid, form, or start any parade, march, ceremony, show, exhibition, pageant, or procession on a city street, park, or other public place without a parade permit from the chief of police (Sec. 3). Applicants must file with the chief of police, or a designee, between 90 days and one year before the parade date (Sec. 4). Parades exercising free speech or religious expression should apply as soon as practicable, but at least five days ahead unless good cause excuses the delay.

Applications must list the organizer, route, start and end points, hours, number of participants, animals and vehicles, and assembly points. The chief of police has seven days to act; a denial must be mailed within that period with the reasons stated (Sec. 5). An applicant may appeal a denial to the city council within five days of receiving the denial notice (Sec. 6), or accept an alternative date, time, or route the chief offers instead (Sec. 7). Approved permits set the starting time, minimum and maximum speed, maximum spacing between units, streets to be traversed, and maximum parade length (Sec.

8). Permit holders must carry the permit during the parade and follow all conditions (Sec. 9). The chief of police may prohibit or restrict parking along the route and post signs to that effect; ignoring posted restrictions is a separate violation (Sec. 10). The chief may revoke a permit if the standards for issuance under Sec. 4 are no longer met (Sec. 11). Funeral processions, supervised school activities, and government agencies acting within their functions are the only categorical exemptions from the permit requirement.