Ceres Municipal Code Ch. 15 Regulation of Parades and Sidewalk Travel

It shall be unlawful for any person or group of persons to stand or sit in or upon any public street, alley, sidewalk, or crosswalk in the City so as in any manner to hinder or obstruct the free passage therein of persons passing along the same, or to stand in or at the entrance of any church, hall, theater, or any place of public assemblage so as in any manner to obstruct its entrance.

(Ord. No. 2020-1056, § 2, 2-24-2020)

It shall be unlawful for any person to hold, manage, conduct, aid, participate in, form, start, or carry on any parade, march, ceremony, show, exhibition, pageant, or procession of any kind or any other similar display, or to cause or permit the same, upon any public street, alley, park, or any other public grounds in the City unless there has first been obtained from the City, a permit to do so, and such permit shall be carried by the person heading or leading such activity.

(Ord. No. 2020-1056, § 2, 2-24-2020)

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to:

A. Students of schools going to and from classes or when constituting a part of their educational activities and under the immediate direction and supervision of the proper school authorities; and

B. Governmental agencies within the scope of their functions.

(Ord. No. 2020-1056, § 2, 2-24-2020)

Any person desiring to conduct or manage a parade shall, not less than 30 days nor more than 90 days before the date on which it is proposed to conduct such parade, file with the City, a verified application, on a form furnished by the City, setting forth the following information:

A. The name of the person or organization wishing to conduct such parade;

B. If the parade is proposed to be conducted for, on behalf of, or by an organization, the name, address, and telephone number of the headquarters of the organization and of the authorized and responsible head of such organization;

C. The name, address, and telephone number of the person who will be the parade chairman and responsible for its conduct;

D. The name, address, and telephone number of the person or organization to whom the permit is desired to be issued;

E. The date when such parade is to be conducted;

F. The route to be traveled, the starting point, and the termination point;

G. The approximate number of persons who, and animals and vehicles which, will constitute such parade; the type of animals; and a general description of the vehicles;

H. The time when such parade will start and terminate;

I. Whether such parade will occupy all or only a portion of the width of the streets proposed to be traversed;

J. The location by streets of any assembly area or areas for such parade; and

K. The time at which units of the parade will begin to assemble at any such assembly area or areas.

(Ord. No. 2020-1056, § 2, 2-24-2020)

The City, shall issue a permit as provided for in this chapter when, from a consideration of the application and from such other information as may otherwise be obtained, he finds that:

A. The conduct of such parade will not substantially interrupt the safe and orderly movement of other traffic contiguous to its route;

B. The conduct of such 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;

C. The concentration of persons, animals, and vehicles at assembly points of the parade will not unduly interfere with proper fire and police protection of, or ambulance service to, areas contiguous to such assembly areas;

D. The conduct of such parade will not unduly interfere with the movement of fire-fighting equipment en route to a fire or other emergency equipment;

E. The conduct of such parade is not reasonably likely to cause injuries to persons or property or to provoke disorderly conduct or create a disturbance; and

F. Such parade is not to be held for the sole purpose of advertising the goods, wares, or merchandise of a particular business establishment or vendor; provided, however, the provisions of this subsection shall not prohibit a parade held for the purpose of promoting or publicizing a commercial or trade event of a general nature.

(Ord. No. 2020-1056, § 2, 2-24-2020)

The permit to be issued by the City, shall prescribe the following:

A. The name of the person or organization wishing to conduct such parade;

B. If the parade is proposed to be conducted for, on behalf of, or by an organization, the name, address, and telephone number of the headquarters of the organization and of the authorized and responsible head of such organization;

C. The name, address, and telephone number of the person who will be the parade chairman and be responsible for its conduct;

D. The name, address, and telephone number of the person or organization to whom the permit is desired to be issued;

E. The date when such parade is to be conducted;

F. The route to be traveled, the starting point, and the termination point;

G. The approximate number of persons who, and animals and vehicles which, will constitute such parade; the type of animals; and a general description of the vehicles;

H. The time when such parade will start and terminate;

I. Whether such parade will occupy all or only a portion of the width of the street proposed to be traversed;

J. The location by street of any assembly area or areas for such parade;

K. The time at which units of the parade will begin to assemble at any such assembly area or areas; and

L. Any additional conditions the Chief of Police, or designee would like to place.

(Ord. No. 2020-1056, § 2, 2-24-2020)

The City shall act upon the application for a parade permit within five days after the filing thereof. If the City, disapproves the application, the City, shall mail to the applicant, within ten days after the date upon which the application was filed, a notice of the action, stating the reasons for the denial of the permit. Such notice shall be mailed to the applicant at the applicant's address as given in the application for the parade permit.

(Ord. No. 2020-1056, § 2, 2-24-2020)

Within ten calendar days after receipt of the decision of the City, any person denied a permit, may file with the City Clerk, a written request for a hearing before the City Council. Fees for appeal shall be established by resolution of the City Council. Upon the filing of such a request and payment of fees, the City Clerk shall set the matter for a hearing and shall notify the appellant of the date, time and place of such hearing at least five days before the hearing date. At the hearing, any person may present evidence in opposition to, or in support of, appellant's case. At the conclusion of the hearing, the City Council shall either grant or deny the appeal, and the decision of the City Council shall be final.

(Ord. No. 2020-1056, § 2, 2-24-2020)

The City, in denying an application, may authorize the conduct of such parade on a date, at a time, or by a route different from that named by the applicant. Further, the City, may place conditions on such conduct. If the applicant desires to accept the proposed date, time, conditions and route, the applicant shall, within two days after notice of the action of the City file a notice of acceptance with the City. The City shall thereupon issue a permit. Such permit shall conform to the requirements of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 2020-1056, § 2, 2-24-2020)

The City Manager, or designee shall have the authority, in his or her discretion, to consider any application for a permit to conduct a parade which is filed less than 30 days before the date such parade is proposed to be conducted.

(Ord. No. 2020-1056, § 2, 2-24-2020)

Immediately upon the granting of a parade permit, the approved permit shall be routed to all Departments in the City and any public transportation or other utility, the regular routes of whose vehicles will be affected by the route of the proposed parade.

(Ord. No. 2020-1056, § 2, 2-24-2020)

No person shall, without the consent of the permittee, join or participate in a parade nor in any manner interfere with its progress.

(Ord. No. 2020-1056, § 2, 2-24-2020)