Protest Laws by State

State

Public Property Protest/Demonstration Permit Information (By Major City)

Unlawful Assembly State Code

Failure to Disperse State Code

Alabama

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

• Alabama Code Title 13A. Criminal Code. § 13A-11-5

• Alabama Code Title 13A. Criminal Code. § 13A-11-6

Alaska

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

• Alaska Stat. § 12.60.180

• Alaska Stat. § 12.60.190

Arizona

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

• Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-2902

• Ariz. Rev. Stat. §13-2904 (Under 'Disorderly Conduct')

Arkansas

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

• Ark. Code § 5-71-205

• Ark. Code § 5-71-206

California

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

• PC § 407

• PC §§ 409, 416

Colorado

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

• §18-9-106 (3) (b) (Disorderly Conduct)

• §18-9-105 (Disobedience of public safety orders under riot conditions)

Connecticut

Bridgeport

Permits Office

• Must file an application for all parades or demonstrations
• Pay a $50 fee

• §53a-177

• §53a-182 (Disorderly Conduct)

Delaware

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.

• Del. Code tit. § 3101 (Disorderly Conduct)

• Del. Code tit. § 3101 (Disorderly Conduct, congregating with other persons in a public place, and refusing to comply with a lawful order of the police to disperse)

District of Columbia

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

• D.C. Code § 22-1307

• D.C. Code § 22-1321 (Disorderly Conduct)

Florida

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

• Fla. Stat. §870.02

• Fla. Stat. §870.03 (Disorderly Conduct)

Georgia

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

• Georgia Code § 16-11-33

• Georgia Code § 38-2-303

Hawaii

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

• Haw. Rev. Stat. § 711-1104

• Haw. Rev. Stat. § §711-1102

Idaho

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

• Idaho Code § 18-6404

• Idaho Code § 18-6410

Illinois

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

• ILCS Chapter 20 § 1805/86 (Unlawful Assembly)

• § 720 ILCS 5/26-1 (Disorderly Conduct)

Indiana

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

• Ind. Code § 35-45-1-1

• Ind. Code § 35-45-1-3 (Disorderly Conduct)

Iowa

Des Moines

City Manager

• File application
• See the website for further requirements

• Iowa Code § 723.2

• Iowa Code § 723.3

Kansas

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

• Kan. Stat. § 21-6202

• Kan. Stat. § 21-6201 (Incitement to Riot)

Kentucky

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

• Ky. Rev. Stat. § 525.050

• Ky. Rev. Stat. § 525.160

Louisiana

New Orleans

City of New Orleans' One Stop Shop

• File a permit application, depending on where you plan to hold the demonstration
• Pay fee

• La. Rev. Stat. § 14:103 (Disturbing the peace)

• La. Rev. Stat. § 4:329.3

Maine

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

• Me. Rev. Stat. Title 17-A, §504

• Me. Rev. Stat. Title 17-A, §502

Maryland

Baltimore

Department of Recreation and Parks Office

• Must file a Demonstration Application two days in advance and pay the non-refundable application fee

• Maryland Criminal Law Code, § 10-201 (Disorderly Conduct)

• Md. Code, § 3-904

Massachusetts

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

• Mass. Gen. laws ch. 272, §53 (Disorderly Conduct)

• Mass. Gen. laws ch. 269, §1

Michigan

Detroit

City Clerk's Office

• Apply for a Special Event Permit 60 days prior to the event
• Pay fee

• Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.543

• Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.523

Minnesota

Minneapolis

Department of Public Works

• Apply for a Parade Permit at least five days prior to the event
• $25 application fee

• Minn. Stat. § 609.72 (Disorderly Conduct)

• Minn. Stat. § 609.705

Mississippi

Jackson

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

• Miss. Code § 97-35-7 (Disorderly Conduct)

• Miss. Code § 97-35-7 (Refusal to Comply with Police Request)

Missouri

Kansas City

Public Works

• Apply for an Event Permit
• See the website for more information

• Mo. Rev. Stat. § 574.040

• Mo. Rev. Stat. § 574.060.1

Montana

Billings

Public Works

• Apply for Right of Way Activity Permit 60 days in advance
• Pay the fee

• Mont. Code. Ann. § 45-8-101

• Mont. Code. Ann. § 45-8-102

Nebraska

Omaha

Public Works

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

• R.R.S. Nebr.§ 28-1322 (Disturbing the Peace)

• See Individual City Ordinances for More Information

Nevada

Las Vegas

Las Vegas City Hall

• File Permit Application
• Pay fees
• See the website for more information

• Nev. Rev. Stat. § 203.060

• Nev. Rev. Stat. § 203.010 (Breach of the Peace)

New Hampshire

Manchester

City of Manchester

• File Application 30 days in advance of the event

• N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 644:2 (Disorderly Conduct)

• N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 644:2

New Jersey

Newark

Newark Police Department

• File Application 30 days in advance of the event
• No fee for demonstrations

• N.J. Stat. § 2C:33-2

• N.J. Stat. § 2C:33-1

New Mexico

Albuquerque

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

• N.M. Stat. § 30-20-3

• N.M. Stat. § 30-20-1 (Disorderly Conduct)

New York

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

• N.Y. Law § 240.10

• N.Y. Law § 240.20 (Disorderly Conduct)

North Carolina

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

• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-288.1

• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-288.4 (Disorderly Conduct)

North Dakota

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

• N.D. Cent. Code § t12.1c31 (Disorderly Conduct)

• N.D. Cent. Code § 12-31-01

Ohio

Columbus

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

• Ohio Rev. Code § 3761.01

• Ohio Rev. Code § 2917.04

Oklahoma

Oklahoma City

Office of Special Events

• See Special Event Guide
• File Special Event Permit Application in some cases

• Okla. Stat. tit. §21-1320.3

• Okla. Stat. tit. §21-1362

Oregon

Portland

Portland Bureau of Transportation

• File Event Permit Application
• Pay fees 30 days in advance

• Or. Rev. Stat. § 166.023 (Disorderly Conduct)

• Or. Rev. Stat. § 131.675

Pennsylvania

Philadelphia

Office of Special Events

• File Demonstration Application at least five business days in advance

• 75 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5503 (Disorderly Conduct)

• 75 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5502

Rhode Island

Providence

City of Providence Special Event Planning

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

• R.I. Gen. laws § 11-45-1 (Disorderly Conduct)

• R.I. Gen. laws § 11-45-1 (Disorderly Conduct)

South Carolina

Columbia

Columbia Police Department

• File Application for Parade/Events Permit
• Pay fee

• S.C. Code §16-17-530 (Disorderly Conduct)

• S.C. Code §16-7-10 (Illegal acts during a state of emergency)

South Dakota

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

• S.D. Codified Laws § 28-18-35 (Disorderly Conduct)

• S.D. Codified Laws § 22-10-11

Tennessee

Memphis

Special Events Office

• File Application at least 14 days before the event
• Pay fee between $25-$50

• Tenn. Code. § 39-17-305 (Disorderly Conduct)

• Tenn. Code. § 39-17-305 (Disorderly Conduct)

Texas

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

• Texas Penal Code § 38.01

• Texas Penal Code § 42.02

Utah

Salt Lake City

• File Special Event Application 30 days prior to the event

• Utah Code § 76-9-102 (Disorderly Conduct)

• Utah Code § 76-9-104

Vermont

Burlington

Burlington Police Department

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

• Vermont Disorderly Conduct Laws

• 13 V.S.A. §1026 (Disorderly Conduct)

Virginia

City of Virginia Beach

Special Events and Film Production Office

• File Special Event Permit between 30-60 days prior
• Pay fee between $50-$150

• Va. Code § 18.2-406

• Va. Code § 18.2-411

Washington

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

• Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.84.020 (Disorderly Conduct)

• Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.84.020

West Virginia

City of Charleston

• File a special events permit

• West Virginia Disorderly Conduct Laws

• W. Va. Code § 61-6-4

Wisconsin

Milwaukee

Special Events Permit Office

• Must file for Special Event Permit
• Pay all fees

• Wisconsin Disorderly Conduct Laws

• Wis. Stat. § 947.01

Wyoming

Cheyenne

City Clerk's Office

• File Temporary Event Application anywhere from two days to three months in advance
• Pay fees

• Wyo. Stat. § 6-6-102 (Breach of the Peace)

• Wyo. Stat. § 6-6-102 (Breach of the Peace)