(A) Definition. For the purpose of this section, the following definition shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
PARADE. Any movement of vehicles, persons or animals, or any combination thereof, which either moves together and as a body so as to in some way impede or affect the free and unobstructed flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic, or which moves so that some part thereof is in violation of one or more traffic laws or regulations, if that movement is without a permit hereunder.
(B) Permit required. It is unlawful to sponsor or participate in a parade for which no permit has been obtained from the city, and it is also unlawful to obtain a parade permit and not conduct the same in accordance with the permit granted by the city. Application for this permit shall be made to the City Administrator at least 20 days in advance of the date on which it is to occur and shall state the sponsoring organization or individual, the route, the length, the estimated time of commencement and termination and the general composition; and the application shall be executed by the individuals applying therefor or the duly authorized agent or representative of the sponsoring organization.
(C) Investigation. The City Administrator shall forthwith refer all applications for parades to the Chief of Police, the City Engineer and the Street Superintendent for their consideration, which shall take no longer than seven days. If any state trunk highways are in the route, the Chief of Police shall make all necessary arrangements with the State Department of Public Safety for alternate routes or whatever may be necessary. If it is found that the parade will not cause a hazard to persons or property, and will cause no great inconvenience to the public and, if arrangements for necessary direction and control of traffic can be made, the Chief of Police, the City Engineer and the Street Superintendent shall endorse their acceptances and return the application to the City Administrator. If it is found that the parade described in the application would be a hazard or a substantial inconvenience, or if adequate arrangements for direction or control of traffic cannot be made, the application shall be returned to the City Administrator with those findings.
(D) Council action. The City Administrator shall refer the application and results of investigation to the Council at its next regular meeting. The Council may either deny the permit, grant the permit or grant the permit on condition that a date, time or route are acceptable to the applicant which differ from that as stated in the application. The applicant shall have three days within which to communicate his or her acceptance to the city.
(E) Unlawful acts.
(1) It is unlawful for any person to hamper, obstruct, impede or interfere with any parade, parade assembly or any person, animal or vehicle participating in the parade.
(2) It is unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle between the vehicles or persons comprising a parade when the parade is in motion.
(3) It is unlawful for any person to enter into a parade without prior authorization from the parade chair.
(F) Exceptions. This section shall not apply to:
(1) Funeral processions; or
(2) A governmental agency acting within the scope of its functions.
(2004 Code, § 71.01) Penalty, see § 10.99