National City, CA Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

Parades in National City fall under Chapter 15.60, Temporary Use Permits, which the City Council adopted so that temporary events can depart from the code's noise, street and traffic, and land use rules under a permit. The code defines a parade as any march, procession or assembly that does not or would not comply with normal and usual traffic regulation or controls, made up of any number of persons, animals or vehicles on a public street, sidewalk or alley. A demonstration is a separate category with no animals, motorized equipment or vehicles. It needs no permit, only notice to the chief of police at least twenty-four hours in advance under Section 15.60.075.

Under Section 15.60.015, a Class A use needs City Council approval, a Class B use is issued by the building official, and a Class C use is subject only to business license regulations. Council policy adopted by resolution decides the class. A parade requiring a Class A permit must be filed at least ten calendar days ahead, against fifteen working days for other Class A uses. The building official starts review of a complete application within eight calendar days, and the Council acts on Class A applications at its next regularly scheduled session. Its decision is final.

Section 15.60.030(E) lets the Council or building official attach conditions such as hours of use, noise mitigation, security, trash collection, lighting, traffic control and insurance. For a parade the list adds starting time, minimum speed, maximum speed, the maximum interval of space between parade units, the portions of the street the parade can occupy, and the maximum length in miles or fractions thereof. Inside the congested traffic area (National City Boulevard from the northern city limits to the southern city limits, Highland Avenue from Division Street to 30th Street, Eighth Street from Harbor Drive to Paradise Valley Road, and Plaza Boulevard from National City Boulevard to Palm Avenue) the permit can be denied if the parade will interrupt safe and orderly traffic, pull too many police officers or ambulances from normal service, or interfere with firefighting equipment en route to a fire.

Section 15.60.065 sets comprehensive general liability insurance at one million dollars combined single limits, and a security deposit for damage to public property can reach twenty-five thousand dollars.