Spokane County, WA Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required for
- Parades, shows, festivals, fundraisers, carnivals
- Issuing authority
- Parks, Recreation & Golf Department director
- Minimum signer age
- 18, or 21 if alcohol is served
- Denial grounds
- Would unduly disturb public safety or park use
- Penalty without a permit
- Misdemeanor, up to $1,000 and 90 days
Summary
Holding a parade, festival, carnival, or fundraiser in a Spokane County park requires a permit from the Parks, Recreation & Golf Department under SCC 6.14.040(9). Applicants must be at least 18, or 21 if alcohol will be served, and the director can deny or condition the permit to protect public safety.
Unless otherwise provided for through an agreement adopted by the board of county commissioners, it shall be unlawful in any park, without first securing a permit or approval from the director or designee, for any person to:...(9)Hold any shows, festivals, fundraisers, carnivals, parades, or similar activities;(10)Reserve a portion of a park for exclusive use;...6.14.050 - Permit administration and general requirements. (1)Any person who has obtained a permit from the director or designee must produce and exhibit such permit upon request.(2)No person under the age of eighteen may sign for and obtain a permit under this chapter. If alcohol is being consumed, the minimum age to obtain a permit is twenty-one.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 63).
Full Breakdown
040 requires a permit before anyone may hold a parade, show, festival, fundraiser, or carnival in a Spokane County park; the same list of permit-required activities also covers reserving park space for exclusive use, collecting fees or donations, and using a sound amplification system, so most organized public events trigger several of these requirements at once. 040, can deny the application or attach restrictions if the event would unduly disturb the safety, comfort, or convenience of the public's use of the park or an adjacent area; the director can also approve a use during hours when the park is otherwise closed.
050 sets baseline permit conditions: the permit holder must produce and exhibit the permit on request, no one under 18 may sign for a permit, and if alcohol will be consumed at the event the signer must be at least 21. Permit holders must leave the facility in a condition the director finds satisfactory. 060 lets the director maintain a posted list of parks where alcohol possession is allowed or prohibited, and a permitted group can be authorized to serve or consume alcohol even in a park where it is otherwise barred.
Violations & Fines
Holding a parade, festival, or similar event in a Spokane County park without the SCC 6.14.040(9) permit is a misdemeanor under SCC 6.14.120, carrying a fine of up to $1,000, up to 90 days in jail, or both. Organizers can also be ejected from the park immediately by the director, a designee, or a Spokane County Sheriff's deputy, and each additional day of an unpermitted event counts as a separate offense under SCC 6.14.130.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to hold a festival in a Spokane County park?
How old do I need to be to get an event permit?
Can the county turn down my parade permit request?
What happens if I run an event without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Spokane County
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