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Martin County, FL Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Covered activities
Parades, festivals, races, concerts
Where it applies
County-owned or -managed property
Permit issuer
Martin County (Parks & Recreation)
Alcohol at events
Requires separate approved permit

Summary

Parades, festivals, races, and concerts on Martin County property count as "special events" and need a County permit before they can go forward.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Martin County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Special event: Any preplanned entertainment, sporting, cultural, business, or other type of unique activity (including parades, festivals, races, tournaments, concerts, etc.) presented to a live audience and open to the public that is to be held in whole or in part upon property owned or managed by the County and that may substantially inhibit the usual flow of pedestrian or vehicular travel or which deviates from the established use of the place or building. Excludes activities not open to the public including private indoor facility rentals, pavilion rentals, or other activities for which a permit has been issued by the County.

Surfing: The activity or sport using wind, paddle or ocean waves to propel oneself on a board or like device.

Swimming: Swimming, floating, wading, snorkeling, riding soft or inflatable flotation devices, or other similar activities.

Weapon: As defined in F.S. § 790.001(13), weapon means any "dirk, knife, metallic knuckles, slingshot, billie, tear gas gun, chemical weapon or device or other deadly weapon except a firearm or a common pocketknife, plastic knife, or blunt-bladed table knife."

Weapon or device, electric: As defined in F.S. § 790.001(14), electric weapon or device means any "device which, through the application or use of electrical current, is designed, redesigned, used, or intended to be used for offensive or defensive purposes, the destruction of life, or the infliction of injury."

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 62 | Land Development Regulations: Supplement 62).

Full Breakdown

Martin County's park code defines a "special event" as any preplanned entertainment, sporting, cultural, or business activity, expressly including parades, festivals, races, tournaments, and concerts, held on County-owned or -managed property that draws a live public audience and disrupts normal pedestrian or vehicular flow. Activities meeting that definition require a County-issued permit; the code separately requires a permit for related activities like alcohol sales or vendor sales tied to the event, and reserves park facilities like pavilions and athletic fields for permitted use only.

Violations & Fines

Running a special event, selling goods, or serving alcohol at a Martin County park event without the required County permit is unlawful under Chapter 17 and can result in the event being shut down or citation under the County's noncriminal park-violation provisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every parade in Martin County need a permit?
Only events held on County-owned or -managed property; the code's special-event definition is expressly tied to County property, not private land.
Can I sell food or drinks at my permitted event?
Vendor sales require all applicable permits, and alcohol sales require a separate County-approved permit under Sec. 17.12.B.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Martin County

All Martin County rules

Florida rules heatmap·Compare Martin County to another location·View the Florida special events & permits overview

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