Parade Permits

Austin Police Department
Special Events Unit
PO Box 689001
Austin, Texas 78768-9001

For additional information, please call 974-5032. The fax number is 974-6636.

Special Event/Parade Permits:

Special Events

Film Production

Important Information

The Austin Police Department - Special Events Unit should be contacted to assist in the planning and execution of a Closure Permit as defined by City of Austin Ordinance 14-8.  This would closures for Moving Events and Stationary Events as define by City of Austin Right-of-Way Closure Rules.  Further information on the City of Austin Rules may be found at http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/specialevents/ and http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/roadworks/rwwork.htm.

APD Parade Permits are required in addition to the City of Austin Closure Permit for Moving and Stationary Events.  The following is designed to assist you in completing an application for a Parade Permit and hopefully help you avoid the necessity of multiple trips to the Police Department to make changes, corrections or provide clarification of application information. To help you understand exactly what information is needed, some of the most common problems occurring in the past have been pointed out here.

Right-Of-Way Events

1. The Date and Time: Page one of the permit application should include the time that the parade will actually begin, not the time you plan to form.  The time listed to start will be strictly adhered to.
2. This Department will date all Parade Permit applications upon receipt.  City of Austin Ordinance 14-8-11 requires Closure Applications to be submitted to the Transportation Director 180 days prior to the first day of the right-of-way event. 
3. Addresses and Phone Numbers: All addresses must be completed with City and Zip Code. Print legibly or type the permit application. Provide phone numbers that will give direct contact for follow up. The phone or email address is the preferred method of communication to eliminate the need to return to the Police Department.
4. Route: On page two of the application, "Proposed Route of Parade 1st choice" must be filled out and must be accurate. A map of some type showing the proposed routes should be attached, but this does not eliminate the requirement for a written route.

Parade permits must be issued for all parades, political protests, and VIP escorts.
Remember to have the signature page notarized before the parade permit application is submitted.
You will need to include any part of a public street needed to stage your event. 
City Ordinance 14-8-13 requires the following documentation for all right-of-way events no later than 180 days prior to the Right of Way events:

1. An Application
2. A Map showing the closure area and any other street affected by the closure. 

All traffic control plans must comply with requirement from the City of Austin Transportation Criteria Manual, and the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control devices. For more information contact the City of Austin Right-of-Way Management at 505 Barton Springs Road, eighth floor.
If required, the applicant is required to pay for barricades and officers to staff the barricades.

There is a two (2) hour minimum charge for each Austin Police Officer assigned to all events. The current rate for Officers is $ 52.00; Supervisors is $ 72.00 per hour. A Supervisor is required when 5 or more APD Officers are assigned to work the same event.