For current street closings, see the Public Works home page.
Permit Process
Street closing requests require seventy-two (72) hours minimum notice to process. Large scale downtown closures or parade requests require a minimum thirty (30) day notice to process.
All closures or events must carry Liability Insurance in an amount no less than $1,000,000. An additional $1,000,000 Vehicle Insurance is required if vehicles are used during the event. Certificate of Insurance (COI) must be provided in ACORD certificate format along with the completed street closing request. Failure to include the ACORD COI will result in a denied or delayed request. Parades require additional information as outlined on Page 3 of the permit. See below for more details about parades.
Fill out the Street Closing Request Form and email it to Public Works. The Public Works department will check the information on the form and get approval for the closure from all relevant city departments. Please see the Downtown Athens On Street Parking map for specific parking space numbers.
See the Estimated Replacement Costs of Equipment document if you will be borrowing Public Works equipment for your closure. See the Affected Business/Resident Form if your closure will affect other residents or businesses.
If you have questions, please call (423) 744-2745 or email Public Works.
Parades
A request for a parade permit must be presented in writing to the Athens Police Department at least four (4) weeks prior to the event date. The written request must include the following:
- Date/Time
- Contact Person
- Telephone Number
- Name of the Organization
- Theme of the event
- Route
- Alternate Route
- Estimate size of the event
- Estimated length of time for the event
- What the parade will consist of, such as floats, marching bands, marching (walking) groups, etc.
This information will be reviewed and you will be notified as to the status of your request. You will be required to appear at the Athens Police Department to review and sign the permit prior to its issuance if approved.
If there are any questions about parade permits, please contact the Athens Police Department at (423) 744-2730 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Section 16-110 of the Athens Municipal Code. Parades Regulated.
It shall be unlawful for any club, organization or similar group to hold any meeting, parade, demonstration or exhibition on the public streets without some responsible representative first securing a permit from the chief of police. No permit shall be issued by the chief of police unless such activity will not unreasonably interfere with traffic and unless such representative shall agree to see to the immediate cleaning up of all litter which shall be left on the streets as a result of the activity. Furthermore, it shall be unlawful for any person obtaining such a permit to fail to carry out his agreement to immediately clean up the resulting litter. (1972 Code, § 12-210; as amended by Ord. #866, § 1, Jan. 2000)
