Walton County, GA Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

Section 42-31 requires anyone staging a parade, demonstration, assembly or picketing in the unincorporated county to file a permit application with the board of commissioners no later than ten days before the event. The board forwards the application to the sheriff, who grants the permit but may reasonably restrict the event's time and duration, the number of vehicles or units involved, the number of participants, and the streets or locations where it may take place, all to protect public safety and convenience. If the sheriff is unavailable, the chairman of the board of commissioners or a designee exercises the same authority.

Section 42-32 requires a separate application and permit for each proposed parade, demonstration, assembly site or picketing course, though only one permit covers an entire route or course. Section 42-33 places the event under the supervision of the person who applied for the permit and requires it to be conducted peaceably and in compliance with state and county law. Section 42-34 limits signs, shields and banners carried during the event: none may extend beyond the width of the carrier's body or more than 24 inches above the carrier's head, and carriers must stay at least ten feet apart, avoid blocking doorways, driveways or intersections, and not interfere with pedestrian or vehicle traffic.

Section 42-35 defines a parade as a procession of 25 or more people or five or more vehicles, other than a funeral, and an assembly as a crowd of more than four persons gathered on a county right-of-way, street or public property.