Sandoval County, NM Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

Section 21 of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance lets the Zoning Officer authorize, through a Special Event Permit, a temporary change of land use for events that affect county services. The ordinance's definitions section (Section 6) defines "Special Event" broadly to include, among other things, Parades, marathons, concerts, large parties or gatherings, movie productions, sporting events, pyrotechnic events, or any event that changes a traffic pattern, including parking, so a parade squarely falls within the permit requirement. Organizers must file their application with the Zoning Officer at least 30 days before the event; the Zoning Officer forwards it to a Special Event Committee made up of staff from County Development, the Sheriff's Department, Emergency Management Services, Public Works, and Tourism, who impose whatever safety, traffic, and public-welfare conditions the event needs.

The Committee may require a financial guarantee and liability insurance naming the county as an insured party; the applicant is responsible for 105 percent of the county's actual costs, covering road preparation, law enforcement, and fire/EMS standby, paid half before the event and the balance within 30 days of invoicing. A Special Event Permit runs no longer than 30 days, with only one renewal allowed per calendar year, and the Zoning Officer may deny an application that can't meet these conditions or that would fit better as a Conditional Use or Temporary Use permit instead. The County Commission can waive some or all fees when it serves the county's interest.