Winston-Salem, NC Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- Office of Business Inclusion & Advancement
- Filing deadline
- At least 96 hours before parade
- City response time
- Within 48 hours of filing
- Penalty
- Class 3 misdemeanor, up to $500
- Exemption
- Funeral processions not a parade
Summary
Any parade on a Winston-Salem street used for vehicular traffic needs a city permit, applied for at least 96 hours ahead through the Office of Business Inclusion and Advancement.
No such parade shall be held or conducted unless a permit is first obtained from the office of business inclusion and advancement. All persons participating in any parade without such permit shall be guilty of a violation of this section. ... Such application shall be made at least 96 hours before holding the parade. A response to the application shall be provided to the applicant within 48 hours of receipt of the application by the office of business inclusion and advancement.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 102 | Personnel: Supplement 96 | Water and Sewer: Supplement 56 | Solid Waste: Supplement 15).
Full Breakdown
City code bars parades on public ways used for vehicular parking or moving traffic unless a permit is obtained first. Applicants must file at least 96 hours before the event, giving the purpose, time, place, route, contact person, and any animals involved; the city must respond within 48 hours. The police chief sets the time and route, and can deny or revoke a permit for unpaid property damage, a scheduling conflict, or a rule violation, with denial not based on the parade's message. Funeral processions are not considered parades.
Violations & Fines
Holding or joining a parade without a permit, or violating permit conditions, is a class 3 misdemeanor under G.S. 14-4, punishable by a fine up to $500.00.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to hold a parade in Winston-Salem?
What happens if I parade without a permit?
Does a street closure require anything beyond the parade permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Winston-Salem
Compare Winston-Salem to another location·View the North Carolina special events & permits overview
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