§ 7.04.40. Processions and parades; permit required.

(A)

Processions and parades shall not be conducted without having first procured a written permit from the chief of police, designating the date, time and exact route and direction of march or travel for which the permit is allowed.

(B)

Applications for a permit must be submitted at least seven days in advance of the event, but this time period may be waived at the discretion of the chief of police, using a form designated by the chief of police, but no earlier than 90 days prior to the event. Funeral homes are exempt from needing a permit, but are required to notify the police department at least two hours prior to the funeral procession. Any processions conducted entirely on public sidewalks and that lawfully utilize intersection crossings do not require a permit.

(C)

Within ten working days of receipt of the application, either a permit will be issued or a rejection notice will be sent. If an application is rejected and the application was submitted at least 60 days prior to the parade, it will be eligible for appeal. Appeals may be made to the service-safety director or his/her designee within ten working days of the rejection, stating the basis for why the rejection should be reversed. The service-safety director or his/her designee will conduct a meeting to review the application and render a decision in writing.

(D)

Reasons for denial of a permit include, but are not limited to the following:

(1)

Prior failure to abide by parade regulations or requirements.

(2)

Conflict with another scheduled event.

(3)

High traffic location or time.

(E)

Payment and insurance.

(1)

After receiving the permit and at least 24 hours prior to the parade, the sponsor will be required to pay the city for any required overtime or equipment costs needed to direct and/or control traffic.

(2)

At the time of payment or at least 24 hours prior to the parade, the parade organizer will submit a certificate of insurance that indemnifies and holds the city harmless.

(3)

Failure to make the payment or submit the insurance certificate in a timely manner will invalidate the permit.

(F)

The chief of police in his/her discretion may waive the permit fee and/or create an exemption from payment for up to five overtime officers.

(G)

The following requirements, as determined by the chief of police, apply to all processions and parades:

(1)

Based on time of day, adequate lighting must be provided.

(2)

At least one marshal per parade.

(3)

If no units, at least one marshal per 30 participants.

(H)

The following activities are prohibited during any procession or parade:

(1)

The throwing of objects from moving vehicles.

(2)

Excessive noise.

(3)

Countermarching over the parade route.

(I)

Violation of any parade regulation or requirement or the unruliness of parade units/participants may be grounds for denial of future permits.

(J)

It shall be unlawful for any person to conduct or participate in any procession or parade in violation of this section; except that the provisions hereof shall not apply to the marching or maneuvering of members of the military forces of the United States.

(K)

It shall be unlawful for any parade viewer to cross a police line or parade barricade, including rope or tape lines, or to interfere with the permitted parade, including the throwing of objects at parade participants.

(L)

A violation of this section shall be an administrative offense requiring a fine of $20.00. Any person cited with an offense of these sections who does not pay the required administrative fine within 72 hours may receive a minor misdemeanor citation into court. Any person who wishes to appeal the violation shall visit the Athens Police Department within 72 hours and receive a minor misdemeanor citation into court, providing notice and an opportunity to be heard, which shall serve as an appeals process. If the violation results in injury or property damage, the violation shall be a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(Ord. No. 0-23-17, § I, 3-20-2017)