Hattiesburg Code of Ordinances § 46-171 Short title.
Sec. 46-171. - Short title.
This division shall be known and may be cited as the "Parade Ordinance of the City."
(Ord. No. 3211, § 1, 3-7-2017; Ord. No. 3300, 11-16-2021)
PARADES
Hattiesburg Code of Ordinances ch. 46, art. VI, div. 2
in effectHattiesburg Code of Ordinances § 46-172 Definitions.
Sec. 46-172. - Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this division, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Chief of police means the chief of police of the city.
Parade means any procession or motorcade consisting of animals, vehicles, floats, or a combination thereof upon the streets, parks or other public grounds with an intent of attracting public attention that interferes with the normal flow or regulation of traffic upon the streets, parks or other grounds.
Parade marshal means a person designated to walk the parade route, with other parade marshals, alongside a parade vehicle or float to help maintain an orderly process, particularly with the flow of pedestrian traffic.
Parade permit means a permit as required by this article.
Person means any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization of any kind.
(Ord. No. 3211, § 2, 3-7-2017; Ord. No. 3300, 11-16-2021)
Hattiesburg Code of Ordinances § 46-173 Permit required.
Sec. 46-173. - Permit required.
(a) No person shall engage in, participate in, aid, form or start any parade, unless a parade permit shall have been obtained from the chief of police.
(b) This division shall not apply to a public assembly. See chapter 38, article VI, regarding obtaining a permit for a public assembly.
(c) If a parade is planned to conclude at a city-owned outdoor facility (such as a city-owned park), the person seeking issuance of a parade permit shall seek a parks use permit if one is required under chapter 38, article VI, and pursuant to the procedures described therein.
(Ord. No. 3211, § 3, 3-7-2017; Ord. No. 3300, 11-16-2021)
Hattiesburg Code of Ordinances § 46-174 Application required.
Sec. 46-174. - Application required.
A person seeking the issuance of a parade permit shall file an application with the chief of police on forms provided by the chief of police.
(1) Filing period. An application for a permit for a parade shall be filed with the chief of police on forms provided by the chief of police. Application for a parade permit shall be filed with the chief of police at least 30 days before the date the proposed parade is to occur.
(2) Waiver of time limit. The time limitations prescribed in this section may be waived by the chief of police in those instances where the applicant can show:
a. Because of unusual circumstances, it was impossible to have made application within such time limitations;
b. The nature or conduct of the event would not be dangerous or harmful to the public health, safety and welfare of the residents of the city and the police department;
c. The police department and other city services and personnel have adequate time to provide for public safety; and
d. The time, route or size of the event will not substantially interrupt the safe and orderly movement of traffic contiguous to the event site or route, or disrupt the use of a street at a time when it is usually subject to significant traffic congestion.
(3) Contact and "throws" information. If applicable, accurate contact information for the parade chair and marshals and specific information related to candy, favors and other "throws" to be tossed during the parade shall be provided, including:
a. The name, address, telephone number and email address of the person who will be the parade chair and who will be responsible for its conduct.
b. The names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses of the persons who will be parade marshals.
c. The names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses of the riders from each vehicle or float who are designated to distribute "throws" during the parade; this information may be provided before the event, but shall be provided on the day of the parade.
d. For each participating float or vehicle, a list of candy, favors, and other "throws" that have been pre-approved by the parade chair for distribution during the parade; this information may be provided before the event, but shall be provided on the day of the parade.
e. The date when the parade is to be conducted.
f. The route to be traveled, the starting point, the termination point, any intermediate stopping points and the length of time of such stops.
g. The approximate number of individuals and vehicles, with a description of the vehicles, that will constitute the parade.
h. The hours the parade is to begin and end.
i. A statement that describes what portion of the width of the streets the parade will occupy.
j. The location by street of the designated assembly area for the proposed parade.
k. The time that parade units will begin to assemble at the designated assembly area.
l. If the parade is designed to be held by, on behalf of, or for any person other than the applicant, the applicant for such permit shall file with the chief of police a communication in writing from the person proposing to hold the parade, authorizing the applicant to apply for the permit on his/her behalf.
m. Any additional information which the chief of police shall find reasonably necessary to a fair determination as to whether a permit should be issued.
n. A receipt for the fee hereinafter prescribed.
(4) Application fee. A fee in the amount now or hereafter established by the city to cover the expenses incident to processing shall be paid to the chief of police by the person applying for the permit at the time of the filing of the application, which fee shall be delivered into the general fund of the city.
(5) Nondiscrimination. The chief of police shall uniformly consider each application upon its merits and shall not discriminate in granting or denying permits under this division based on political, religious, ethnic, race, disability or gender-related grounds.
(Ord. No. 3211, § 4, 3-7-2017; Ord. No. 3300, 11-16-2021)
Hattiesburg Code of Ordinances § 46-175 Standards for issuance.
Sec. 46-175. - Standards for issuance.
The chief of police shall issue a permit as provided for hereunder when, from a consideration of the application and from such other information as may otherwise be obtained, he/she finds that:
(1) The conduct of the parade will not substantially interrupt the normal, safe and orderly movement of other traffic contiguous to its route.
(2) The conduct of the parade will not require the diversion of so great a number of police officers of the city to properly police the line of movement and the areas contiguous thereto as to prevent normal police protection to the city. Toward that end, parade marshals will assist with the orderly flow of the parade and will be required for each parade as follows:
a. The parade chair will be responsible for providing the names, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses and parade positions of the parade marshals for each parade float or vehicle.
b. Any individual or organization sponsoring a parade float or vehicle shall provide one parade marshal on each side of the float or vehicle it is sponsoring. In no case will there be less than two parade marshals, one on each side, for a parade vehicle.
(3) The conduct of such parade will not interfere with the movement of firefighting equipment en route to a fire or the movement of other emergency equipment.
(4) The conduct of the parade is not reasonably likely to cause injury to persons or property, or to provoke disorderly conduct or create a disturbance.
a. Each individual and/or organization sponsoring a parade float or vehicle shall submit a list of specific "throws" to the parade chair for approval prior to the event; these lists may be submitted on the day of the event.
b. Candy, favors and other "throws" tossed from parade vehicles shall be family-friendly, (i.e., appropriate for children and all other members of an average family). No materials of a sexually explicit nature may be thrown or distributed during, before or after the parade.
c. No parade participant, while on the parade route or in a parade staging area or disbanding area, shall throw, distribute, possess or control any of the following:
1. Confetti canisters of any type or brand. The term "confetti canisters" shall be defined as items that contain metallic or paper confetti streamers or other string-like substances that are expelled or discharged under pressure into the air;
2. Silly string or other similar items that, when used, emit an adhesive string-like or adhesive streamer-like substance that is expelled or discharged from a pressurized container;
3. Candy, favors or trinkets of a sexually explicit nature. This is to include condoms, prophylactics and/or any other sexually oriented devices or paraphernalia;
4. Alcoholic beverages, including Jello shots;
5. Throws or trinkets that contain sharp edges or points, including, but not limited to, plastic or wooden spears and plastic, paper or silk flowers with wire stems;
6. Bomb bags or other throws or trinkets of any type or brand that explode or detonate;
7. Stink bombs or stink sprays of any type or brand. The terms "stink bombs" and "stink sprays" are defined as devices that emit an odorous substance when used;
8. Boxes, including, but not limited to, corrugated boxes;
9. Laser pointers and/or any similar device that emits a highly amplified ultraviolet or infrared light;
10. Glass, except for eyeglasses;
11. Any life-threatening object and/or noxious substances or liquids.
d. Each individual and/or organization sponsoring a parade float or vehicle shall submit a list of those riders designated to distribute candy, favors and other "throws"; this list may be submitted on the day of the event.
1. At no time shall the driver of a parade vehicle toss or distribute "throws."
2. No "throws" of any kind shall be tossed or handed out to the front or rear of a parade float or other parade vehicle.
3. No "throws" of any kind shall be tossed or handed out in the assembly or disbanding areas of the parade.
e. Horses and other animals are prohibited, except for dogs and other adoptable animals from a city or county shelter that are featured on an approved parade float and controlled per regulations listed in subsection (7)c of this section.
f. Four-wheelers and other types of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are prohibited.
g. The minimum age for participants walking in a parade shall be set at age ten. Said minimum age of ten shall apply to members of bands and dance groups and to flag bearers, mascots, and others who typically participate in parades.
h. All drivers shall be at least 18 years of age and shall have a valid driver's license. All drivers of pull vehicles must have sufficient training from the tractor or float provider prior to the parade.
i . All parade participants, whether on floats, in vehicles, or marching, shall be attired decently; no sexually indecent clothing or characterizations shall be allowed. Individuals and organizations participating in parades are prohibited from conduct, displays or behaviors that the general public would consider vulgar, indecent, shocking or offensive.
j. Music played in any parade must be acceptable for public airwaves, and must not contain any words deemed unacceptable by the Federal Communications Commission.
k. No person shall be allowed to participate in a parade if obviously intoxicated.
1. The consumption of alcohol, including beer, in the assembly area of the parade is forbidden.
2. Drivers of parade floats or vehicles are prohibited from consuming alcoholic beverages during the parade, or 12 hours prior to it. Drivers are not allowed to drink alcoholic beverages during the parade or to operate a parade vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
l. It shall be illegal for any person to smoke while on a float or vehicle before, during or after the parade, or any other time or place deemed unsafe by the parade organization or the city fire department.
m. All tires on floats and vehicles pulling floats shall be in good condition.
n. All decorations and attachments on each float shall be securely fastened, with no sharp, pointed or cornered objects on the exterior. No protruding nails shall be allowed on floats.
o. No float rider shall sit on the ledge and/or railing of a float. No float rider shall stand on anything other than the float deck/floor. If the float rider's height requires standing on an object other than the deck/floor of the float in order to participate in the parade, the object shall be secured and the rider shall be harnessed to the float.
(5) The parade is scheduled to move from its point of origin to its point of termination expeditiously and without unreasonable delays in route.
a. Each participant shall report to the designated assembly area at least one hour prior to the scheduled start of the parade.
b. Entry by any individual, group or vehicle into the parade shall be permitted only at the designated assembly area, except in an emergency or when duly authorized by the parade chair.
c. Exit by any individual, group or vehicle from the parade shall be permitted only at the designated disbanding area, except in an emergency or when duly authorized by the parade chair.
d. Each band, marching club or marching or dance group in each parade shall be allowed no more than one motor vehicle to accompany the group in the parade and to bear the name of the group on both sides of the vehicle as identification.
e. At no time shall any band, marching club, marching group or dance group make any unauthorized stop to perform, thereby delaying the schedule and preventing an expeditious completion of the parade.
(6) The parade is not to be held for the sole purpose of advertising any product, goods or event, and is not designed to be held purely for private profit. However, the prohibition against advertising any product, goods or event shall not apply to signs identifying organizations or sponsors furnishing or sponsoring floats or transportation for the parade.
(7) The conduct of the parade will not create an undue burden to the city in terms of personnel and resources required for clean-up following the event.
a. Discarding of packaging, debris and trash in the assembly and disbanding areas and along the parade route is prohibited.
b. Glass, except for eyeglasses, in the assembly and disbanding areas and along the parade route is prohibited.
c. Horses and other animals are prohibited, except for dogs and other adoptable animals from a city or county shelter that are featured on an approved parade float and that are contained as follows:
1. Each animal shall be contained on a leash.
2. Each animal shall be assigned to a handler. At no time shall more than one animal be assigned to a handler during a parade.
3. Each handler is responsible for cleaning and disposing of any waste deposits of the animal in his charge throughout the event; this includes the parade assembly area, the float, and the parade disassembly area.
4. While in the parade assembly and disassembly areas, animals are to be contained on a leash at the minimum, and in a carrier when necessary (when the handler is unable to hold the leash and maintain control of the animal).
5. Dogs and other adoptable animals that are aged three months and older must have been vaccinated for rabies.
(Ord. No. 3211, § 5, 3-7-2017; Ord. No. 3300, 11-16-2021)
Hattiesburg Code of Ordinances § 46-176 Notice of rejection.
Sec. 46-176. - Notice of rejection.
The chief of police shall act upon each application for a parade permit within five business days after it is filed, provided that it is filed 30 days in advance of the date of the proposed parade. If the chief of police disapproves the application, a notice stating the reasons for the denial shall be sent to the applicant by certified mail within five business days of the application being filed.
(Ord. No. 3211, § 6, 3-7-2017; Ord. No. 3300, 11-16-2021)
Hattiesburg Code of Ordinances § 46-177 Appeal procedure.
Sec. 46-177. - Appeal procedure.
Any person who has been denied a parade permit, and who filed an application for the parade permit in accordance with the filing period, 30 days in advance of the date of the proposed parade, shall have the right to appeal the denial to the city council. The appeal must be filed with the chief of police within five business days of receiving the notice of denial. The city council shall consider and act upon the appeal at its next regular meeting. There is no appeal for parade applications filed less than the 30-day filing period stated in section 46-174(1).
(Ord. No. 3211, § 7, 3-7-2017; Ord. No. 3300, 11-16-2021)
Hattiesburg Code of Ordinances § 46-178 Alternative permit.
Sec. 46-178. - Alternative permit.
The chief of police, in denying an application for a parade permit, shall be empowered to authorize an alternate permit to conduct the parade on a date, time, or route different from that named by the applicant. Once offered an alternate permit, the applicant shall have two business days to file a written notice of acceptance with the chief of police. An alternate parade permit shall conform to parade permit requirements and shall have the effect of a parade permit under this division.
(Ord. No. 3211, § 8, 3-7-2017; Ord. No. 3300, 11-16-2021)
Hattiesburg Code of Ordinances § 46-179 Notice to city and other officials.
Sec. 46-179. - Notice to city and other officials.
Immediately upon the issuance of a parade permit, the chief of police shall send a copy thereof to the following:
(1) The chief administrative officer.
(2) The director of public works.
(3) The fire chief.
(4) The director of parks and recreation.
(5) Manager of traffic.
(Ord. No. 3211, § 9, 3-7-2017; Ord. No. 3300, 11-16-2021)
Hattiesburg Code of Ordinances § 46-180 Contents of permit.
Sec. 46-180. - Contents of permit.
Each parade permit shall state the following information:
(1) Date of the parade.
(2) Starting time and termination time of the parade.
(3) The portions of the streets to be traversed that may be occupied by the parade.
(4) The number of persons and motor vehicles that will be in the parade.
(5) Such other information as the chief of police shall deem appropriate or find necessary to the enforcement of this division.
(Ord. No. 3211, § 10, 3-7-2017; Ord. No. 3300, 11-16-2021)
Hattiesburg Code of Ordinances § 46-181 Duties of permittee; possession of permit.
Sec. 46-181. - Duties of permittee; possession of permit.
A permittee hereunder shall comply with all permit directions and conditions and with applicable laws and ordinances. The parade chairperson or other person heading or leading such activity shall carry the parade permit upon his/her person during the conduct of the parade.
(Ord. No. 3211, § 11, 3-7-2017; Ord. No. 3300, 11-16-2021)
Hattiesburg Code of Ordinances § 46-182 Public conduct during parades.
Sec. 46-182. - Public conduct during parades.
(a) Interference. No person shall unreasonably hamper, obstruct or impede, or interfere with any parade or parade assembly or with any person or vehicle participating or used in a parade.
(b) Driving through parades. No driver of any vehicle, except emergency vehicles, shall drive between the vehicles or persons comprising a parade when such vehicles or persons are in motion and are conspicuously designated as a parade.
(c) Parking on parade route. The chief of police shall have the authority, when reasonably necessary, to prohibit or restrict the parking of vehicles along a highway or part thereof constituting a part of the route of a parade. The chief of police shall post signs to such effect, and it shall be unlawful for any person to park or leave unattended any vehicle in violation thereof. No person shall be liable for parking on a street unposted in violation of this article.
(d) Following parade floats. Individuals are hereby prohibited from following parade floats and bands without authorization from the parade chair.
(e) Unauthorized participation. No person, group or vehicle shall participate in a parade without proper authorization from the parade organization or interfere in any manner with the orderly conduct of the parade.
(f) Obstruction of parade or parade traffic. It shall be unlawful for any person in charge of a vehicle, horse or mule, or vending cart or other contrivance to park, stop, loiter or stand in such a manner as to obstruct, impede or inhibit the passage of any parade, or to obstruct, impede or inhibit the passage of traffic on any intersecting or adjacent street to the parade route.
(g) Obstruction of vehicular or pedestrian traffic. It shall be unlawful for any person at any time to place or cause to be placed any type of obstruction, including, but not limited to, ropes, tents, scaffolds, barricades or vehicles, which may act to impede vehicular or pedestrian traffic on any right-of-way along a parade route, without first seeking proper permission from the city.
(Ord. No. 3211, § 12, 3-7-2017; Ord. No. 3300, 11-16-2021)
Hattiesburg Code of Ordinances § 46-183 Revocation of permit.
Sec. 46-183. - Revocation of permit.
The chief of police shall have the authority to revoke a parade permit issued hereunder upon violation of the standards for issuance as herein set forth.
(Ord. No. 3211, § 13, 3-7-2017; Ord. No. 3300, 11-16-2021)
Hattiesburg Code of Ordinances § 46-184 Indemnification and insurance.
Sec. 46-184. - Indemnification and insurance.
(a) The applicant and any other persons, organizations, firms or corporations on whose behalf the application is made, by filing such application do represent, stipulate, contract and agree that they will jointly and severally indemnify and hold the city harmless against liability for any and all claims for damage to property, or injury to, or death of persons arising out of or resulting from the issuance of the permit or the conduct of the parade or its participants.
(b) In addition, permits for parades consisting of vehicles, animals, floats or a combination thereof, shall not be issued unless the applicant therefor shall obtain a comprehensive general liability insurance policy, issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in the state, with coverage of not less than $1,000,000.00 and that includes the assembly area, the parade route, the disbanding area of the parade, and any other area used by the participants of the parade. The city shall be named as an additional insured on the policy. No insurance shall be required for a public assembly event.
(c) The owner of each vehicle participating in the parade shall provide proof of auto liability. The policy limits of said insurance shall not be less than the state minimum:
(1) Property damage: $25,000.00 each occurrence.
(2) Bodily injury or death: $50,000.00 each person.
(3) $25,000.00 each occurrence.
(d) At the time of the application for the parade permit satisfactory proof that the required insurance has been obtained must be presented to the chief of police. The requirement for satisfactory proof may be complied with either by depositing the insurance policy itself with the chief of police or by furnishing a certificate of insurance, meeting the following specifications, to the chief of police:
(1) The insurance policies issued should be listed and for each policy the type of insurance, policy number, expiration date and limits of liability should be shown.
(2) The certificate should designate the city as certificate holder and as an additional insured, and should contain a statement to the effect that the policies listed are in force and that in the event of cancellation or any material change in a policy affecting the certificate holder, at least ten days prior, written notice will be given to the certificate holder.
(3) Below the schedule of insurance in force, the certificate should include a statement substantially as follows: "The comprehensive general liability policy above includes coverage of designated premises and coverage for contractual liability in compliance with the provisions of Ordinance No. 3300 of the city, for a parade to be held on ________ (date)."
(4) The certificate should be signed or countersigned by an authorized local agent of the issuing company or companies and should have attached a copy of power of attorney evidencing the agent's authority.
(e) The requirements of subsections (b) and (c) of this section shall not be applicable to parades composed of pedestrians only and not including any vehicles.
(Ord. No. 3211, § 14, 3-7-2017; Ord. No. 3300, 11-16-2021)
Hattiesburg Code of Ordinances § 46-185 Penalties.
Sec. 46-185. - Penalties.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to stage, present, or conduct, or attempt to stage, present, or conduct a parade without first having obtained a permit therefor as herein provided or who shall otherwise violate any of the provisions of this division.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to participate in a parade on the city streets for which a permit has not been granted.
(c) It shall be unlawful for any person to fail to comply with all directions and conditions of the parade permit.
(Ord. No. 3211, § 15, 3-7-2017; Ord. No. 3300, 11-16-2021)
Source: City of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Code of Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ms/hattiesburg/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH46STSIOTPUPL_ARTVIPABLPAEV_DIV2PAFetched: 11/1/2026