Processions & Public Assembly Permits

Fees & Deadlines

Type	First Amendment	Commercial (Non-First Amendment)
Deadline to Submit Application	15 business days before the event	45 business days before the event
Application Permit Fee	$0	$75
Insurance Requirement	Encouraged, but not required	Required
Insurance Cost	Varies by event	Varies by event
Traffic Safety & Barricade Cost	$0	Additional

First Amendment

A First Amendment Procession refers to a procession with the sole or principal purpose of engaging in First Amendment activity.

First Amendment activity includes all expressive and associative activities protected by the United States and Texas Constitutions, such as speech, press, assembly, and the right to petition. It does not include commercial advertising, revenue-generating events, or fundraising.

Commercial Procession

A Commercial Procession refers to a procession whose sole or principal purpose is not related to First Amendment activity.

Fee Requirements

According to Sec. 19-633:

"Commercial procession applications shall be accompanied by a fee of seventy-five dollars ($75.00). If the organizers of an event cannot provide payment with the application, an organizer may submit an affidavit attesting that he or she will provide payment within fifteen (15) business days of the date of the submission of the application. Failure to provide payment will trigger the surety bond requirement in section 19-636 for future procession events by organizers, and the organizer signing the affidavit shall become personally responsible for payment."

All processing fees are non-refundable.

Permitting Process & How to Apply

Online

Create an account using the online portal to fill out and submit the application (only one account is needed for all event organizing).
Online Application

In Person

Print or Pick Up Application

Application & FAQ

You may also visit any San Antonio Branch Library or the CCDO Special Events Division Office for a paper application & FAQ sheet.

Submit Application

Deliver your completed paper application to:

CCDO Special Events Division
400 N. St. Mary's St., Suite 100
San Antonio, TX 78205
Directions

By Phone

Call CCDO at 210-207-7819 to speak with a permitting official who will gather your information and create an application for you.

Provide Proposed Route

Use Google My Maps, the online mapping tool to create and submit a proposed route map. Users must use their own Google account.

Create Your Route Map

A designated SAPD officer will reach out to work with you on finalizing the Traffic Safety Plan.

Instructions to Create a Map

Set up your account

Creating your map

Select + Create A New Map.
Select Untitled Map and title the map as your event's name.
Select Untitled Layer and title the layer "Event Route".

Creating your route

Search for the address of the event starting point in the search bar.
Select Add marker under the search bar.
Use your cursor and drop a marker to your event starting point. Title the new marker "start".
Use your cursor and drop a marker to your event finishing point. Title the marker "finish".
Select Draw a line under the search bar.
Move your cursor to draw your route. Connect your "start" and "finish" marker. Double-click on the finishing point to stop drawing.

Share your map

Once your map is complete, choose share on the left side menu.
Click under Who has access then change the setting to Anyone with the link.
Under link sharing next to Access can view and change the setting to Can edit. Then choose Save.
In the Sharing settings menu, copy the link to share and include the link in your application. You can copy and paste the link onto a Word document and upload as an attachment to your application.

For additional help with creating and managing custom maps, please visit the Google My Maps Help page.

Confirmation & Additional Requirements

A Permitting Official from the Office of Processions & Public Assemblies will contact the event organizer within three calendar days to confirm receipt of the application. They will also provide an update on its status.
You may be asked to submit additional documents, such as insurance or notifications. You will also need to pay the $75 permit fee, if applicable.
After reviewing all submitted materials, the City will issue the permit.
You may need additional permits to hold an event, depending on its type. Once an application has been submitted to the Processions & Public Assemblies Office, clients will receive contact information. This will include any relevant departments they may need to reach to obtain those permits.

Event Locations & Requirements

Alamodome: For public assembly at the Alamodome, contact Stephen Zito at 210-207-3605 to obtain a permit.
City Hall Steps: If you would like to reserve City Hall Steps, please call 210-207-7080.
Convention Center: For public assembly at the Convention Center, contact Yldefonso Rodriguez Sola at 210-207-8503 to obtain a permit.
Main Plaza: For events at Main Plaza, please visit the Main Plaza website for more details.
Parks: Permits are not required to protest at a park. However, if you desire exclusive use of a park area or facility, you can request a reservation through ExploreSA.
San Antonio International Airport: A permit is required to engage in picketing, demonstrations, marches, or distribute literature at the San Antonio International Airport. An Application for Permit may be acquired by calling 210-207-7242 or by downloading it from the San Antonio International Airport website.

Special Events

The Special Events Division within the Center City Development & Operations (CCDO) Department can assist Event Organizers with providing general direction for planning major special events.

For more information or planning guidance, contact:
Jennifer Fraga, CMP
Special Projects Manager

Email: Contact Form

Phone: 210-207-7819

Address:
400 N. St. Mary's St., Suite 100
San Antonio, TX 78205
Directions

Block Parties

For big events, such as block parties that require temporary street closure, please contact the Right of Way Management office.

Phone: 210-207-5749

Address:
1901 S. Alamo St.
San Antonio, TX 78204
Directions

For more information visit the Block Party Closure Procedures page or the Right of Way Management website.

Temporary Use Permits

Development Services Department (DSD) manages the issuance of permitting temporary uses for tents, circuses, and carnivals including the approval of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) drawings.

Temporary Use Certificate of Occupancy and Application (PDF)