PARADES, DEMONSTRATIONS AND STREET EVENTS

Raleigh City Code pt. 12, ch. 1, art. C

in effect

Raleigh City Code § 12-1051 PERMIT REQUIRED.

Sec. 12-1051. - PERMIT REQUIRED. (a) The term parade as used in this section is defined as an assemblage of two (2) or more persons participating in or operating any vehicle in any march, ceremony, show, exhibition or in any procession, promotion or objection of any kind in or upon the public streets, alleys, parks or other public grounds in any manner; provided, the term shall not include: (1) "Pickets," etc., as defined in §12-1055; (2) Funeral processions; (3) Any governmental agency acting within the scope of its functions; (4) Bands or marching groups proceeding to an assembly point for participation in a parade; or (5) Footraces and bicycle races. (b) No parade shall be conducted on the public ways of this City and no person shall inaugurate, promote or participate in any such parade unless the parade is conducted in conformity with the requirements set out herein and unless a permit has been obtained from the Chief of Police or his designated representative. (Code 1959, §21-31(a)(b); Ord. No. 1979-126, §1, 6-19-79)

Raleigh City Code § 12-1052 PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING PERMIT.

Sec. 12-1052. - PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING PERMIT. (a) Application for a parade permit shall be made in writing at least twenty-four (24) hours and no more than three hundred sixty-five (365) days before the time at which the parade shall be scheduled to begin and shall contain the following information: (1) The name, if any, of the organization or group sponsoring or proposing the parade; (2) The location or locations in the City where the parade is proposed to take place; (3) The date and hours for which permit is sought; (4) The name of the person applying for the permit; (5) Whether or not persons below the age of eighteen (18) years are expected to participate; and (6) The person or persons to be in charge of the activity and who will accompany it and carry permit at all times. (b) Upon receipt of an application properly completed and timely filed as hereinabove set out, the designated officer shall immediately issue a permit consistent with the standards prescribed herein. The permit shall contain all information stated on the application and shall be signed by the issuing officer. (Code 1959, §21-31(c), (d); Ord. No. 2014-343, §7, 9-16-14, eff. 9-21-14)

Raleigh City Code § 12-1053 STANDARDS FOR CONDUCT OF PARADES.

Sec. 12-1053. - STANDARDS FOR CONDUCT OF PARADES. The following standards shall apply to all parades conducted in the City: (a) No parade or part thereof may be conducted on the streets of the City between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (b) Every parade shall follow a route approved by the City Manager or designee. The City Manager or designee shall approve no route which is incompatible with the preservation of public health, safety and welfare. The City Manager or designee's disapproval of a proposed route may be appealed to the City Council. (c) Parades involving one (1) or more motorized vehicles shall operate in accordance with the Motorized Parade Policy adopted by the City. (d) No one participating in a parade or proceeding along the route of a parade shall distribute therefrom any candy, cigarettes, prizes or favors of any kind. (e) No vicious animal whether leashed or unleashed shall participate in or proceed along the route of a parade. (Code 1959, §21-31(e); Ord. No. 1980-346, §2, 4-1-80; Ord. No. 1989-304, §1, 2-7-89; Ord. No. 2014-343, §§8—11, 9-16-14, eff. 9-21-14; Ord. No. (2024)648, §1, 6-18-24)

Raleigh City Code § 12-1054 REVOCATION OF PERMIT.

Sec. 12-1054. - REVOCATION OF PERMIT. The Chief of Police or his designated agent may revoke any permit granted for a parade if: (a) Any person violates the standards for the conduct of parades set out herein; or (b) Any participant in a parade fails to comply with the formation, terms and conditions set out in the application and permit or fails to comply with the terms of this section. (Code 1959, §21-31(f))

Raleigh City Code § 12-1055 PICKETING DEFINED.

Sec. 12-1055. - PICKETING DEFINED. The terms picket, pickets and picketing as used herein are deemed to include "demonstrators," persons participating in vigils and any action primarily promoting or objecting to a policy upon those portions of the public ways not used primarily for vehicular parking and moving traffic and not constituting a parade. (Code 1959, §15-35.1(j))

Raleigh City Code § 12-1056 PICKETING PERMITTED; NOTICE OF INTENT AND RECEIPT REQUIRED.

Sec. 12-1056. - PICKETING PERMITTED; NOTICE OF INTENT AND RECEIPT REQUIRED. Peaceful picketing shall be permitted in the City provided the same is done under the following conditions: (a) No picketing shall be conducted on the public ways of this City and no person shall participate in the same unless notice of intent to picket has been given to the Chief of Police or his designated representative, and unless a receipt of such notice has been issued. (b) A group of ten or more persons shall give notice of intent to picket in writing and the notice given shall contain the following information. A group of fewer than ten persons may give written notice of intent to picket but is not required to do so. (1) The name, if any, of the organization or group sponsoring or proposing to picket unless the group indicates that it intends to picket anonymously, in which case no name is required; (2) The location or locations in the City where the pickets propose to assemble and demonstrate; (3) The date or dates on which the picketing is to occur; (4) The name of the person and organization giving notice of intent to picket unless the person or organization indicates that it intends to picket anonymously, in which case no name is required; (5) Whether or not persons below the age of eighteen (18) years are expected to participate; and (6) The person or persons to be in charge of the activity and who will accompany it and carry any receipt of notice at all times. (c) It is unlawful for any person to engage in picketing before or about the residence or dwelling of any individual. (d) Upon the giving of notice of intent to picket, properly completed as hereinabove set out, the designated officer shall immediately issue a receipt of notice. The receipt shall contain all information stated in the notice. Notice shall be given by the holder of a receipt of notice to the Chief of Police or his designated representative immediately upon the cessation of such picketing for a period of twenty-four (24) hours or more. Before resumption of picketing interrupted for any such period, a new notice shall be given and a new receipt issued. (e) Violation of this section is a misdemeanor and may also be enforced through issuance of a civil penalty pursuant to §14-1005, through injunctive or other equitable relief, or a combination of remedies. (Code 1959, §15-35.1(a)—(c); Ord. No. 1990-504, §1, 3-7-90; Ord. No. 2006-977, §1, 3-7-06; Ord. No. 2022-339, §38, 2-15-22)

Raleigh City Code § 12-1057 STANDARDS OF CONDUCT FOR PICKETING ACTIVITIES.

Sec. 12-1057. - STANDARDS OF CONDUCT FOR PICKETING ACTIVITIES. (a) Picketing shall be conducted only on portions of the public ways not used primarily for vehicular parking or moving traffic. (b) Pickets may carry written or printed placards or signs not exceeding thirty-six (36) inches provided the words used would not tend to incite violence. (c) If pickets promoting different objectives, causes, actions or policies desire to use a sidewalk that is already used for picketing, the Chief of Police or the Chief's designated agents shall allot a number of pickets promoting each objective, to use such sidewalk, on an equitable basis, proportionate to the number of objectives being promoted. (d) Pickets shall be restricted to the use of the outermost half of the sidewalk or other public way nearest the street and shall not at any time nor in any way obstruct, interfere with, or block: persons entering or exiting from vehicles; persons crossing streets or otherwise using the public way; the entrance or exit to any building or access to property abutting the street or sidewalk; a driveway serving any building or abutting property; or pedestrian or vehicular traffic. (e) No person observing, engaging in, or assisting in picketing shall bring to or allow to remain in the immediate area of picketing any vicious animal. (f) It shall be unlawful for a group of ten or more persons to picket without filing a notice as required herein. (g) The provisions of §§12-1055 through 12-1057 are mandatory, and not merely directory, and failure to comply with the provisions of these sections is hereby declared to be unlawful and punishable as provided by law. Violation of this section is a misdemeanor and may also be enforced through issuance of a civil penalty pursuant to §14-1005, through injunctive or other equitable relief, or a combination of remedies. (Code 1959, §15-35.1(d)—(i), (k)—(m); Ord. No. 2006-977, §2, 3-7-06; Ord. No. 2019-20, §1, 11-19-19; Ord. No. 2022-339, §39, 2-15-22)

Raleigh City Code § 12-1058 INTERFERENCE WITH PICKETS PROHIBITED; POLICE AUTHORITY TO DISPERSE CROWDS; FAILURE TO LEAVE WHEN ORDERED DECLARED OFFENSE.

Sec. 12-1058. - INTERFERENCE WITH PICKETS PROHIBITED; POLICE AUTHORITY TO DISPERSE CROWDS; FAILURE TO LEAVE WHEN ORDERED DECLARED OFFENSE. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to physically interfere with pickets in the use of the sidewalk or to address profane, indecent, abusive, or threatening language to or at those pickets which would tend to provoke the pickets or others to a breach of the peace. (b) The police officers of the City may, in the event of the assemblage of persons in such numbers as to tend to intimidate pickets pursuing their lawful objective through numbers alone or through use of inflammatory words, direct the dispersal of persons so assembled and may arrest any person who fails to absent himself from the place of such assemblage when so directed by the police. (c) Whenever the free passage of any street or sidewalk in the City shall be obstructed by a crowd, whether or not the crowd assembles as a result of or in connection with picketing, the persons composing such crowd shall disperse or move on when directed to do so by a police officer. It shall be unlawful for any person to refuse to so disperse or move on when so directed by a police officer as herein provided. (d) Violation of this section is a misdemeanor and may also be enforced through issuance of a civil penalty pursuant to §14-1005, through injunctive or other equitable relief, or a combination of remedies. (Code 1959, §15-35.2; Ord. No. 2022-339, §40, 2-15-22)

Raleigh City Code § 12-1059 FOOTRACES AND BICYCLE RACES.

Sec. 12-1059. - FOOTRACES AND BICYCLE RACES. (a) The term footrace as used in this section is defined as a group of three (3) or more runners or walkers competing against either each other or a time limit over a fixed course all or a part of which involves the use of City street right-of-way, City sidewalks, and greenways. (b) The term bicycle race as used in this section is defined as a group of three (3) or more bicyclists competing against each other or a time limit over a fixed course all or a part of which involves the use of City street right-of-way, City sidewalks, and greenways. (c) Application for a race covered by this section shall be made in writing at least one hundred twenty (120) calendar days before the time at which the race shall be scheduled to begin and shall contain the information outlined in the City Council's Special Event Policy. A race application may be accepted after this deadline only if allowed as a late application permitted under the City Council's Special Event Policy. (d) Upon receipt of an application properly completed and timely filed as hereinabove set out, the City Manager or designee shall issue a permit after the applicant has complied with all applicable requirements imposed in accordance with the City Council's Special Event Policy. The permit shall contain all information stated on the application and shall be signed by the City Manager or designee. (e) The following standards shall apply to all footraces and bicycle races subject to this section conducted in the City: (1) Every race shall follow a route approved by the City Manager or designee in accordance with the standards set out below. (2) The race applicant and all persons involved in conducting the race shall comply with all terms and conditions set out in the City Council's Special Event Policy and all terms and conditions contained in the permit issued for the race. (3) No one participating in a race or proceeding along the route of a race shall distribute therefrom any candy, cigarettes, prizes or favors of any kind. (4) No vicious animal whether leashed or unleashed shall participate in or proceed along the route of a race. (5) The organizer of an event subject to this section shall make provision for proper safety procedures at intersections and along other sections of the right-of-way. The location of the safety monitors shall be determined by the Chief of Police or his designee and the personnel shall be provided at no cost to the City. Personnel hired for such duties shall be sworn law enforcement officers certified by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Training and Standards Council. (6) The permit shall not be issued until the sponsor shall acquire sufficient insurance or approval by the City Attorney to indemnify the City for damages or liability which the City might incur. (7) The approval of any route shall be based on the safety of the participants and non-participants, the degree of disruption that the route will likely cause, the available access for cars and pedestrians, and the unique requirements of a specific event. (8) The City Manager or designee's disapproval of a proposed route may be appealed to the City Council. Appeals shall be made in person at a regularly scheduled City Council meeting at least three meetings prior to the proposed event date. (Ord. No. 1979-126, §2, 6-19-79; Ord. No. 2014-343, §12, 9-16-14, eff. 9-21-14)

Raleigh City Code § 12-1060 PROHIBITION OF FIREARMS AND DANGEROUS WEAPONS.

Sec. 12-1060. - PROHIBITION OF FIREARMS AND DANGEROUS WEAPONS. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess on or about his person or vehicle any firearm or dangerous weapon of any kind, as defined below, whether exposed or concealed, while participating in any parade or any picketing. (b) It shall be unlawful for any person present at any parade or picketing or any person upon any street, sidewalk, alley or other public property within five hundred (500) feet of any parade or picketing, to possess on or about his person or vehicle any firearm or dangerous weapon of any kind, as defined below, whether exposed or concealed. (c) For purposes of this article, the term dangerous weapon shall be defined as any device or substance designed or capable of being used to inflict serious injury to any person or property; including, but not limited to: firearms, airguns, BB guns, pellet guns, knives or razors with a blade more than three (3) inches in length, metallic knuckles, clubs, blackjacks, nightsticks, dynamite cartridges, bombs, grenades, knives, explosives, molotov cocktails, and sword canes. (d) This section shall not apply to the following persons while acting lawfully and within the scope of their duties and authority: (1) Law enforcement officers, (2) Officers and soldiers of the armed forces, militia and national guard. (e) Violation of this section is a misdemeanor and may also be enforced through issuance of a civil penalty pursuant to §14-1005, through injunctive or other equitable relief, or a combination of remedies. (Ord. No. 1980-346, §1, 4-1-80; Ord. No. 2011-989, §1, 12-6-11; Ord. No. 2022-339, §41, 2-15-22))

Raleigh City Code § 12-1061 CLOSURE OF CITY STREETS FOR EVENTS.

Sec. 12-1061. - CLOSURE OF CITY STREETS FOR EVENTS. (a) A permit shall be issued by the City Manager or designee for the closure of any City street, sidewalk, or greenway in accordance with the requirements of the City Council's Special Event Policy. The permit will list all permitted activities as approved by the City Manager or City Council. The City Manager or designee's disapproval of a proposed closure may be appealed to the City Council. Appeals must be made in person before Council at a regularly scheduled meeting no later than 3 meetings prior to the event date. (b) The fees associated with special events regulated by the Special Event Policy shall be as indicated on the City of Raleigh Fee Schedule. Application fees are non-refundable and due when the application is submitted. Permit fees are paid once an application has been approved just prior to the issuance of the permit. (Ord. No. 2014-343, §13, 9-16-14, eff. 9-21-14; Ord. No. 2019-949, §12, 6-4-19, eff. 7-1-19)

Source: City of Raleigh, North Carolina, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/nc/raleigh/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=DIVIICOGEOR_PT12LIRE_CH1STPUWA_ARTCPADESTEVFetched: 11/1/2026