Onslow County, NC Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

Onslow County Code of Ordinances Sec. 11-2 defines a parade as any assemblage of two or more persons marching, showing or processing on public streets, sidewalks, alleys, parks or other public grounds, and covers picket lines and group demonstrations under the same notice rule. Subsection (b) requires the organizer to give the county sheriff reasonable notice before the activity begins, and states that at least 48 hours' notice will be considered reasonable. m. Picketing carries extra rules under subsection (d): picketers must stay on sidewalks reserved for pedestrians, no more than ten pickets promoting the same objective may use either sidewalk in a single block at once, signs are capped at two feet by two feet and must not be derogatory or defamatory, and pickets must march single file, no closer than 15 feet apart except when passing, staying within five feet of the curbline and in continuous motion.

If competing groups want the same sidewalk and more than ten pickets would result, the sheriff allots time between them on an equitable basis. Funeral processions and government agencies acting within their functions are exempt under subsection (e). The section was adopted by an ordinance dated December 16, 1985.