Smyrna, TN Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

Section 16-110 of the Smyrna Municipal Code, last amended by Ord. 17-60 in January 2018, governs both parades and public gatherings. A parade is any march or procession in or upon a street, sidewalk, alley, or other public place held to express First Amendment freedoms. A march for a recreational purpose, such as a footrace, walk-a-thon, or fundraising event, is treated as a parade for permitting too. The Town Council states its intent that speakers not face undue burden, and the code bars town officials from weighing the content of the speech or message in deciding whether to issue a permit.

A parade permit application goes to the Chief of Police or a designee at least seven days before the parade. The Town Clerk distributes the form and forwards the completed application. The processing fee is $100. A person unable to pay can ask the Town Manager for a waiver, which must be granted on a showing of substantial financial hardship, and the Town Manager's decision is final except in a court of competent jurisdiction. Within 48 hours of receipt, weekends excluded, the Chief must grant or deny, and the Town Clerk issues the permit or notifies the applicant of denial.

The Chief issues the permit unless it conflicts in time or place with an earlier permit or the parade fails listed conditions: it cannot substantially disrupt other traffic, require so many officers that normal police protection suffers, interrupt ambulance service, interfere with firefighting equipment, or be held solely to advertise a product or for private profit. The Chief can reasonably modify the route, time, and place to control crowds or ease congestion.

Recreational parades carry extra conditions. Security personnel are required at the applicant's expense, with the number set by the Chief and communicated at least four days before the event. The applicant must provide proof of comprehensive general liability insurance, with the Town as additional insured, and limits of no less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate can be required. Public gatherings expected to draw more than 25 people in a park or on Town facility grounds need a separate permit from the Chief, applied for at least three business days ahead with a $200 fee. Breaking news gatherings need no permit.