Gathering laws by State

Alabama

Cheyenne City Clerk's Office File Temporary Event Application anywhere from two days to three months in advance Pay fees

Alaska

Birmingham Traffic Engineering Department Applies to any demonstration or other event organized or held for religious, political, or other First Amendment related purpose Must fill out the application three working days before the demonstration Pay non-refundable fee

Arizona

Anchorage Parks and Recreation Department Must file Special Event Permit Application Must pay a non-refundable processing fee Must include a site plan/event proposal May have to file a Noise Permit Application

Arkansas

Phoenix City Manager's Office/Parks and Recreation Department Typically required for public outdoor assemblies that will require street closures. This includes events conducted outdoors, including, but not limited to, beer gardens and mazes, having a projected attendance of 500 or more persons. Also applies to confining of 50 or more attendees by the permanent or temporary installation of barricades or fencing. Check with the city manager to learn more Must file an application at least 30 days before the event and pay the fee

California

Little Rock City Manager's Office May need to file a Public Assembly Permit application signed by a notary public if there is serious traffic, safety concerns, or competing‐use concern Pay application fee Department of Public Works and Little Rock Police will additionally review the application

Colorado

Los Angeles Special Events Permit Unit (SEPU) within the Emergency Operations Division of the Los Angeles Police Department File Special Event Permit Application for parades, marches, demonstrations, processions, and assemblies in public places which impact the ordinary and usual traffic regulations and controls Should file at least 40 days in advance May require permitting fee—check with the department

Connecticut

Denver Denver Parks and Recreation (for public assemblies of 50 or more people at Denver public parks and recreation facilities) Must file application 404 60 days in advance Colorado Division of Central Services (for Colorado State Capitol and Lincoln Park) File Event Permit Request form 30 days in advance Possible fee Must designate an “Event Marshall" as a point of contact during the event

Delaware

Bridgeport Permits Office Must file an application for all parades or demonstrations Pay a $50 fee

District of Columbia

Wilmington Department of Parks and Recreation Apply for a Special Event Permit 503 Apply 30-45 days in advance for groups under 300 people and 90-120 days in advance for groups of 300 or more A “special event" is any organized activity within Wilmington's city limits that attracts a crowd to a public or private venue. Contact the office for more information.

Florida

Mayor's Special Events Task Group Permit needed for “special events" A special event includes parades, cultural programs, festivals, musical rock concerts, religious gatherings, block parties, community activities, and First Amendment Rights activities "Any activity where large numbers of persons may gather" and "activities for which licenses and permits are required" Permit requirements vary by agency

Georgia

Jacksonville Office of Special Events Must file Special Event Permit 90 days before a demonstration Pay application fee ranging between $100-$200 depending on the event

Hawaii

Atlanta Office of Special Events File an Assembly Permit Application 30 days in advance of the event An “assembly" is a pre-planned event consisting of people, animals or vehicles, or any combination of the above moving towards a common destination or goal. The pre-planned event requires temporarily closing or obstructing of all or part of any street, sidewalk, or other public right-of way Pay an application fee plus a non-refundable sanitation bond under some circumstances

Idaho

Honolulu Department of Transportation Services File a permit application and provide all required documentation and fees Must be filed five days before the event A permit is required for a march, procession, or assembly, or for any activity on a public street, sidewalk, or alley which does not comply with usual traffic regulations or controls

Illinois

Boise City of Boise, Special Events Must file Special Event Application within 45 days of demonstration Pay the permit application fee Includes festivals, parades, runs/walks, farmer's markets, and other planned group activities

Indiana

Chicago City of Chicago office Must file permit application in some circumstances for rallies or marches Depends on the location of the protest (public parks, plazas, and public buildings such as the State of Illinois Thompson Building Plaza) Contact the Mayor's office to learn more

Iowa

Indianapolis Business and Neighborhood Services & Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department File Special Event Permit 60 days prior to the event Pay fees ranging from $75-$268 Name a Public Safety contact person For more requirements, see the website

Kansas

Des Moines City Manager File application See the website for further requirements

Kentucky

Wichita Division of Arts & Cultural Services File Community Event Application within 180 and 60 days before the event Pay a $25 fee plus a $75 late fee if the application is submitted less than 60 calendar days before the event

Louisiana

Louisville Louisville Metro Emergency Services File Special Event Permit Application 60-90 days ahead of the event Pay a fee ranging from $25 to $75, depending on the event size

Maine

New Orleans City of New Orleans' One Stop Shop File a permit application, depending on where you plan to hold the demonstration Pay fee

Maryland

Portland Public Assembly Facilities Division File Application for Use of City Parks and Public Space Required when 25 or more individuals are anticipated to attend an organized event

Massachusetts

Baltimore Department of Recreation and Parks Office Must file a Demonstration Application two days in advance and pay the non-refundable application fee

Michigan

Boston City of Boston Submit a Public Event Application either two weeks or 30 days before the event, depending on the event size Pay fee May have to receive permission from several different departments

Minnesota

Detroit City Clerk's Office Apply for a Special Event Permit 60 days prior to the event Pay fee

Mississippi

Minneapolis Department of Public Works Apply for a Parade Permit at least five days prior to the event $25 application fee

Missouri

Jackson Jackson Police Department File Special Event Application at least 15 days in advance

Montana

Kansas City Public Works Apply for an Event Permit See the website for more information

Nebraska

Billings Public Works Apply for Right of Way Activity Permit 60 days in advance Pay the fee

Nevada

Omaha Public Works File Public Event Application 60 days in advance Pay the $25-$50 fee

New Hampshire

Las Vegas Las Vegas City Hall File Permit Application Pay fees See the website for more information

New Jersey

Manchester City of Manchester File Application 30 days in advance of the event

New Mexico

Newark Newark Police Department File Application 30 days in advance of the event No fee for demonstrations

New York

Albuquerque Apply for a Special Event Permit Notice of 30 days is required

North Carolina

New York City New York Police Department, City of New York Permitting depends on the activity involved and whether you will need a Sound Device Permit See the website for detailed information

North Dakota

Charlotte Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, City of Charlotte Department of Transportation (CDOT) Apply for Public Assembly Demonstration Permit Protests or demonstrations on public property or rights-of-way that may have 50 or more participants require a Picketing Notice to CMPD. This is not a permit. It is a notification to ensure the city has adequate police resources available

Ohio

Fargo City of Fargo Police Department Submit your application and see the website for further details Applications must be submitted 45 days before the event

Oklahoma

Columbus If you block traffic in any way, you'll need a permit File Special Events Application Pay the fee

Oregon

Oklahoma City Office of Special Events See Special Event Guide File Special Event Permit Application in some cases

Pennsylvania

Portland Portland Bureau of Transportation File Event Permit Application Pay fees 30 days in advance

Rhode Island

Philadelphia Office of Special Events File Demonstration Application at least five business days in advance

South Carolina

Providence City of Providence Special Event Planning File Parade/Event Application 60-90 days in advance See Providence Special Events Brochure

South Dakota

Columbia Columbia Police Department File Application for Parade/Events Permit Pay fee

Tennessee

Sioux Falls Special Event Planning Includes events involving 25 or more persons, animals or vehicles, or a combination thereof. Affects events open to the general public taking place in public space that involves a temporary and exclusive use of public space. The use involves a substantial deviation from current legal land use or legal nonconforming use File Application 90 days before the event

Texas

Memphis Special Events Office File Application at least 14 days before the event Pay fee between $25-$50

Utah

Houston Mayor's Office of Special Events File Application for Special Event Deadlines vary Cost depends on the event type See the Special Event Permit pamphlet

Vermont

Salt Lake City File Special Event Application 30 days prior to the event

Virginia

Burlington Burlington Police Department File a Police Event Permit Application and contact the Department to learn more

Washington

City of Virginia Beach Special Events and Film Production Office File Special Event Permit between 30-60 days prior Pay fee between $50-$150

West Virginia

Seattle Special Events Office File Special Events permit for your “Free Speech Event" “Free Speech Event" means solely expressive activity, such as a march, rally, demonstration, or other activity Does not include non-expressive or commercial activity such as commercial food or sales

Wisconsin

City of Charleston File a special events permit

Wyoming

Milwaukee Special Events Permit Office Must file for Special Event Permit Pay all fees