Chatham County, GA Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required for
- Parades & public assemblies (§18-402)
- Issuing authority
- County Manager, on Police Chief's recommendation
- Review window
- 10 working days (§18-405)
- Appeal window
- 5 days to Hearing Officer (§18-406)
- Denial grounds
- Danger, congestion, false info (§18-405)
- Exempt events
- Funerals, school, casual park use (§18-403)
Summary
Chatham County requires a permit from the County Manager before anyone holds a parade, festival, fair, or public assembly on county streets, parks, or other public grounds. The Chief of Police reviews every application, and organizers must sign an indemnification agreement under the Parade and Public Assembly Ordinance, Code Sec. 18-402.
"Parade" means any march, demonstration, procession or motorcade consisting of persons, animals, or vehicles or combination thereof upon the streets, parks or other public grounds within the County with an intent of attracting public attention that interferes with the normal flow or regulation of traffic upon the streets, parks or other public grounds. ... It shall be unlawful to engage or conduct any parade or public assembly without first receiving a permit from the County Manager upon recommendation by the Chief of Police after application made according to the requirements set out hereinafter.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 18-401 defines a "parade" broadly enough to cover a street fair: any march, procession, or motorcade of persons, animals, or vehicles on the streets, parks, or other public grounds intended to attract public attention and that interferes with the normal flow of traffic. Sec. 18-402 makes it unlawful to conduct that kind of event without a permit issued by the County Manager on the Chief of Police's recommendation. Sec. 18-404 spells out the application: the organizer's name and address, expected attendance, dates and hours, the route or location, whether sound amplification, artificial lighting, or temporary structures will be used, a plan for police, medical, and sanitation coverage, and a signed indemnification and hold-harmless agreement protecting Chatham County.
Sec. 18-405 gives the County Manager ten working days to approve or deny, and lists specific denial grounds: an incomplete or false application, unpaid judgments from a prior event, unreasonable danger to participants or the public, undue traffic congestion, or activities that violate federal, state, or county law. Sec. 18-403 exempts funeral processions, supervised school activities, county-sponsored events, casual park use, and government agencies from the permit requirement. Sec. 18-408 lets the County Manager terminate an in-progress event for imminent danger or a material deviation from the approved plan.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 18-402 makes conducting an unpermitted parade or public assembly, including a street fair or festival, unlawful outright. Sec. 18-408 lets the County Manager stop an approved event mid-course if conditions turn dangerous or organizers deviate materially from their approved plan, and a denied applicant has only five calendar days under Sec. 18-406 to file a written appeal with the County Manager before the denial becomes final.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to hold a street fair or festival in Chatham County?
What must be included in a street fair permit application?
On what grounds can Chatham County deny a street fair permit?
Are any events exempt from the parade permit requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chatham County
Compare Chatham County to another location·View the Georgia special events & permits overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.