Redwood City, CA Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

Chapter 33A, Article I treats a parade as a "special event": an event, festival, celebration, concert, or similar occurrence covering at least one City block or intersection. The application (Sec. 3(B)) must list every sponsor and organizer with contact information, the dates and hours of closure, the blocks affected, expected attendance, the purpose, whether parking will be restricted, whether sound amplification equipment will be used, and whether sales, charity solicitation, or admission charges are planned. Applications are due at least 10 days before the event (Sec.

4); filing late is grounds for denial. Applicants pay a permit application fee and additional cost-recovery fees set by City Council resolution and must carry commercial general liability, property damage, automobile, and workers' compensation coverage as the Finance Director requires, furnished at least 10 days before the event (Sec. 7(B)-(C)). The Chief of Police issues the permit only after finding the closure will not disrupt traffic, overextend police staffing, block fire or ambulance access, or conflict with another permitted closure, among other findings (Sec. 10(B)).

Two consent thresholds set special events apart from ordinary block parties: a majority of residentially zoned property owners fronting the closed street must consent, and where the closure crosses commercially zoned frontage, 100% of the business operators must consent, dropping to a majority only if the event is charitable and benefits a nonprofit. The City must issue or deny the permit in writing within five days of the application (Sec. 11), and a denial must state the reasons.