Snohomish County, WA Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit type
- Type A permit, public works department
- Small event filing deadline
- 60 days before event
- Large event filing deadline
- 90 days before event
- Large event threshold
- 100+ participants or 2,000+ ft closure
- Max advance filing
- 18 months before event
- Fee reference
- SCC 13.110.020
- Notified officials
- Executive, fire marshal, sheriff
Summary
A parade, run, or similar event that closes part of a county road or right-of-way needs a Type A permit from the public works department before it happens. Small events file at least 60 days out, large events at least 90 days out.
No person or entity shall conduct a Type A transaction upon or within any county road, sidewalk, alley or right-of-way unless or until a Type A permit has been obtained from the department. If any portion of a Type A transaction will take place outside the county right-of-way on private property or public property not under the control of the department of conservation and natural resources, a permit may be required from the department of planning and development services.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through legislation passed August 12, 2026).
Full Breakdown
040 bars conducting a parade, run, or similar Type A activity on any county road, sidewalk, alley, or right-of-way unless a Type A permit has been obtained from the department, and a separate permit from planning and development services can be required if part of the event runs on private property or public property outside the right-of-way. 225 defines a parade as any march or procession of people, animals, bicycles, or more than 10 vehicles, except wedding or funeral processions, on a county road, sidewalk, or alley that does not comply with normal traffic controls.
110). 115 sets filing deadlines by event size: small events (fewer than 100 participants, under 2,000 feet of road closure, fewer than three intersection closures) must file at least 60 calendar days before the event, large events at least 90 calendar days, and no application may be filed more than 18 months ahead. 130). 030(5)).
Violations & Fines
Conducting a Type A event without the permit, or violating its terms, is unlawful under SCC 13.30.040. SCC 13.30.060 makes it unlawful for anyone not part of the permitted activity to interfere with it, leave a vehicle on a road cleared for the event, or drive between units of a permitted parade, and SCC 13.30.030(7) treats willful delay or stopping of the event, outside what safety requires, as a permit violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to hold a parade in unincorporated Snohomish County?
How far ahead do I need to apply for a parade permit?
What can get a Type A permit application denied?
Can I block traffic or join a parade I'm not part of?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Snohomish County
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