Chapter 8.08
PARADE PERMITS

Sections:

8.08.010  Permit required.

8.08.020  Exceptions.

8.08.030  Contents of application.

8.08.040  No fee.

8.08.050  Vehicles to be licensed.

8.08.060  Ground for denial – Limited.

8.08.010 Permit required.

Except as provided in ECC 8.08.020, it shall be unlawful for any person to parade, demonstrate, or picket within, over or across any public street or right-of-way without first having obtained a parade permit from the chief of police. Failure to obtain a permit shall constitute a civil infraction and may be punishable up to a $1,000 fine for each violation. [Ord. 2853 § 47, 1991; Ord. 2478, 1985].

8.08.020 Exceptions.

A permit shall not be required for funeral processions or parades of the military forces of the United States of America or of the state of Washington. [Ord. 2478, 1985].

8.08.030 Contents of application.

Any person or organization desiring to parade, demonstrate, or picket within, over or across any public street or right-of-way shall first apply to the chief of police for a parade permit. The application shall state: (1) the identity of the applicant and the address and phone number of a responsible individual; (2) the requested parade route; (3) the time and date of said parade; (4) the anticipated attendance at the said parade as well as an estimate of the length of said parade and the time that it will take to pass any designated spot along the route; and (5) a description of the motor vehicles, if any, to be used in said parade. Such application shall be in writing and filed with the chief of police not less than 36 hours prior to the start of said parade, demonstration or picketing. [Ord. 2478, 1985].

8.08.040 No fee.

No application or permit fee shall be required in order to obtain a parade permit. [Ord. 2478, 1985].

8.08.050 Vehicles to be licensed.

All motor vehicles used in any parade on or upon the city streets of the city of Edmonds shall first be licensed by the Department of Licensing of the state of Washington. In addition to the normal licensing procedure, any float or other vehicle which is not regularly licensed may be permitted upon city streets upon the showing that said vehicle has obtained a temporary letter of authority for the movement of an unlicensed vehicle for a special community event in accordance with the provisions of RCW 46.16.048. [Ord. 2478, 1985].

8.08.060 Ground for denial – Limited.

No permit shall be denied by the chief of police except upon the following grounds:

A. The desired parade route conflicts with another parade for which a permit has already been issued; or

B. The proposed route would unreasonably prevent or block the provision of emergency services within the city of Edmonds or would unduly disturb the convenience of the public in the use of the public streets and sidewalks.

In the event that a permit is denied for the reasons shown in subsections A or B of this section, the chief of police shall work with the applicant in order to find an unencumbered time or date suitable to the applicant and shall suggest alternate routes which would not unduly prevent or block the provision of services. The requirement of a parade permit shall not be used or administered to prevent the exercise of free speech by any individual or group of individuals so long as the parade route requested is reasonable as to its time, place and manner. It is the policy of the city of Edmonds to permit, encourage and promote the lawful exercise of free speech by all of its citizens regardless of the content thereof. [Ord. 2478, 1985].