CITY OF COON RAPIDS, MINNESOTA
CHAPTER 5-1200
PARADES AND MARCHING

5-1201 Application of Chapter 5-100. The provisions of Chapter 5-100 shall apply to the issuance of permits hereunder.

5-1202 Purpose. The purpose of this Chapter is to define the time and place, duration, and manner of the use of streets for parades and marches, so as not to unreasonably interfere with rights of others to the use of the streets, and other public places; to have access to driveways and store entrances, and to have traffic movement in such a manner as to not deprive the public of police and fire protection, and the public use and enjoyment of streets and other public places. [Revised 3/1/05, Ordinance 1872] 

5-1203 Definitions. For the purposes of this Chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) “Parade” is any parade, march, or procession in or upon any street, except the sidewalks thereof, or in or upon any alley.
(2) “Parade permit” is a permit as required by this Chapter.

5-1204 Permit Required. No person shall engage in, participate in, form, or start any parade, unless a parade permit therefor shall have been issued by the City Clerk. The permit fee shall be established from time to time by ordinance of the City Council and shall accompany the application. This Chapter shall not apply to:

(1) Funeral processions.
(2) A governmental agency acting within the scope of its functions. [Revised 3/1/05, Ordinance 1872]

5-1205 Application. Applications must be submitted to the City Clerk. In addition to such information as the City Clerk may require pursuant to Section 5-102, the application shall also include:

(1) 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 heads of such organization. [Revised 3/1/05, Ordinance 1872]
(2) The name, address, and telephone number of the person who will be the parade chairperson and who will be responsible for its conduct. [Revised 3/1/05, Ordinance 1872]
(3) The date when the parade is to be held.
(4) The route to be traveled.
(5) The approximate number of persons who, and animals and vehicles which, will constitute such parade; the type of animals and description of the vehicles.
(6) The hours when the parade will start and terminate.
(7) A statement as to whether the parade will occupy all or only a portion of the width of the streets proposed to be traversed.
(8) The location by streets of any assembly areas for such parade.
(9) The time at which units of the parade will begin to assemble at any such assembly area or areas.
(10) The interval of space to be maintained between units of such parade.
(11) If the parade is designated to be held by, or on behalf of or for, any person other than the applicant, the applicant for such permit shall file with the City Clerk a communication in writing from the person proposing to hold the parade, authorizing the applicant to apply for a permit on the parade holder’s behalf. [Revised 3/1/05, Ordinance 1872]

5-1206 Filing Period for Application. An application for a parade permit shall be filed with the City Clerk not less than ten (10) days before the date on which it is proposed to conduct the parade. The City Clerk, where good cause is shown, shall have authority to consider any application hereunder which is filed less than ten (10) days before the date such parade is proposed to be conducted. [Revised 3/1/05, Ordinance 1872]

5-1207 Issuance of Permit and Basis for Denial. The City Clerk shall consult the Police Chief, Fire Chief, and Director of Public Services, or their designees, prior to approval or denial of a license. An application for a permit shall be denied if any of the following is found to exist:

(1) The conduct of the parade will substantially interrupt the safe and orderly movement of other traffic contiguous to its route.
(2) The conduct of the parade would 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.
(3) The concentration of persons, animals, and vehicles at assembly points of the parade will unduly interfere with the proper fire and police protection of, or ambulance service to, areas contiguous to such assembly areas.
(4) The conduct of such parade will interfere with the movement of fire-fighting equipment en route to a fire.
(5) The parade is not scheduled to move from its point of origin and to its termination point expeditiously and without unreasonable delays en route.
(6) The parade is to be held for the sole purpose of advertising any product or goods and is designed to be held purely for private profit. [Revised 3/1/05, Ordinance 1872]

5-1208 Notice of Approval or Denial. Within ten (10) calendar days after receipt of a complete application, the City Clerk shall act upon the application and provide written notice to the applicant of approval or denial. Issuance of a permit will constitute notice of approval. Notice of denial shall state the reasons for the denial. [Revised 3/1/05, Ordinance 1872]

5-1209 Duties of Permittee. A permittee hereunder shall comply with all permit directions and conditions and with all applicable laws and ordinances. The parade chairperson or other person heading or leading such activity shall carry the parade permit upon their person during the conduct of the parade. [Revised 3/1/05, Ordinance 1872]

5-1210 Public Conduct During Parade.

(1) Interference. No person shall unreasonably hamper, obstruct or impede, or interfere with any parade or parade assembly or with any person, vehicle, or animal participating or used in a parade.
(2) Driving Through Parades. Except for emergency vehicles, no vehicle, unless so directed by a police officer, shall drive between the vehicles or persons comprising a parade when such parade is in progress.
(3) Parking on Parade Route. The Police Chief, or the Chief’s designee, shall have the authority, when reasonably necessary, to prohibit or restrict parking on a parade route. Upon notice from the Police Chief, or the Chief’s designee, the Director of Public Services, or the Director’s designee. shall cause signs prohibiting or restricting parking to be posted along the parade route. It shall be unlawful for any person to park or leave unattended any vehicle in violation of such posted signs. The provisions of Section 5-102, prima facie evidence, shall apply herein. No person may be held responsible for parking in violation of this Chapter on a street which is not properly posted in accordance with this Section.

5-1211 Revocation of Permit. Whenever any parade shall be of a nature, or conducted in a manner substantially different from that indicated in the application therefor, such parade shall be in violation of this Chapter and the permit may be revoked immediately by the Police Department.