Stafford Township, NJ Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

Chapter 149, the Parade Ordinance of the Township of Stafford, was adopted 12-27-1979 by Ord. No. 79-28. Section 149-2 defines a parade broadly: any parade, march, ceremony, show, exhibition, pageant or procession of any kind, or any similar display, in or upon any street, park or other public place in the Township. Under § 149-3A, no person shall engage in, participate in, aid, form or start one unless a permit has been obtained from the Chief of Police. Section 149-3B exempts funeral or wedding processions, students going to and from school classes or educational activities under school supervision, and a governmental agency acting within the scope of its functions.

The application goes to the Chief of Police on the Chief's forms not less than 10 days before the parade (§ 149-4A), though the Chief can consider a late application where good cause is shown (§ 149-4C). It must give the organizer's contact details, the parade chairman, the date, the route, starting and termination points, the approximate number of persons, animals and vehicles, start and end hours, whether the parade will occupy all or part of the street width, assembly areas and times, and the interval between units.

Section 149-5 lists seven findings the Chief must make before issuing the permit, including that the parade will not substantially interrupt traffic, will not require diverting so many police officers or ambulances that the rest of the Township is left without adequate protection, will not interfere with firefighting equipment, is not likely to result in violence to persons or property, and is not held for the primary purpose of advertising a product, goods or event or primarily for private profit.

If the Chief disapproves, he must mail or serve a notice with the reasons within five days of filing (§ 149-6). He can instead authorize a different date, time or route, which the applicant accepts in writing within five days (§ 149-7). Issued permits go to the Mayor, the Superintendent of Public Works and the Fire Chief (§ 149-8), the parade chairman must carry the permit (§ 149-11), and the Chief can restrict parking on the route and revoke a permit (§ 149-12C, § 149-13).