Pomona, CA Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

Sec. 46-541 defines "public gathering" as "any celebration, parade, service, or assembly for any purpose whatsoever, in or upon any street, alley, sidewalk, public building, or parkway," and Sec. 46-561 requires anyone who stages such a gathering that would need "exclusive temporary use of the public right-of-way or other public place" to first file a special event permit application with the community development director. Under Sec. 46-562, the application must be filed at least four weeks before the event, signed under penalty of perjury, and must disclose the applicant's name and address, the nature of the event, the sponsoring organization and its share of proceeds, the insurance carrier and coverage naming the city as additional insured, the location and date.

The applicant must also arrange and pay for police or licensed private security coverage before a permit issues. Sec. 46-563 routes the application, with a certified check for the fixed fee, to the fire chief, police chief, public works director, community development director, community services director and human resources/risk management director for approval; the fee and related fees may be waived for indigent applicants, religious institutions, veteran organizations, school systems and Pomona-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits. Sec. 46-564 lets the director deny a permit if the parade's size or timing would unreasonably disrupt traffic, overtax police resources, conflict with another permitted event, or risk injury, disorderly conduct or interference with parks, hospitals, churches or schools. Denials go to the city manager on appeal under Sec. 46-563(d), whose decision is final.