This chapter shall be known as the "Special Events Ordinance."
This chapter is established to regulate special events on public and
private property, as well as to ensure public safety within the Township
of Bethlehem.
The following terms shall have the meanings ascribed unless
a contrary meaning is expressly set forth in the text:
APPLICANT
Any person or any sponsoring organization seeking a special
event permit from the Township in order to conduct or sponsor an event
governed by this chapter. This term shall include, in the case of
an organization applying for a special event permit, an individual
designated by such organization as the responsible contact person.
ASSEMBLY
A gathering, meeting or rally of 25 or more people without
vehicles, which interferes with the movement of vehicular or pedestrian
traffic on any street or sidewalk or other public property.
BLOCK PARTY
A festive gathering of the residents on a residential street
requiring a closure of a street or a portion thereof to vehicular
traffic and use of the street for social and/or entertainment purposes.
FIRST AMENDMENT ACTIVITY
All expressive and associative activity that is protected
by the United States and Pennsylvania Constitutions, including speech,
press, assembly, and/or the right to petition.
MEDIA PRODUCTION
Any and all aspects of producing audio and video content
that is used in commercials, movies, online, radio or in other realms.
PARADE
A march or procession or motorcade consisting of persons,
animals or vehicles, or any combination thereof, upon any public street,
sidewalk, alley or other street right-of-way in the Township, which
obstructs, delays or interferes with the normal flow of pedestrian
or vehicular traffic or does not comply with traffic laws or controls.
PERMITTEE
Any person or any sponsoring organization to whom a special
event permit is issued by Bethlehem Township.
PERSON
Any individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation,
society, company or organization of any kind.
REVIEW COMMITTEE
A group of individuals comprised of Township employees designated
to review all applications for a special event and make recommendations
regarding approval of the same. The committee shall include the Township
Manager, Codes Enforcement Officer, Fire Marshal, Police Department
and Public Works Department.
RIGHT-OF-WAY
A public street, alley, sidewalk or crosswalk, including
bike and pedestrian paths.
SPECIAL EVENT
A parade, assembly, street fair, art and craft show, carnival,
soap box derby, rally, or other special event or activity that occurs
on Township streets, sidewalks, alleys or other street right-of-way
and that obstructs, delays or interferes with the normal flow of pedestrian
or vehicular traffic or does not comply with traffic laws and controls.
The term "special event" shall also include events at Township pavilions
where capacity is exceeded, on Township-owned property (see below),
product releases, media production, outdoor weddings, outdoor concerts,
displays, fairs and other similar events occurring on private property
and designed to attract crowds. Township-owned property whereby special
events will be allowed with permits unless otherwise set forth herein:
A.
Bethlehem Township Municipal Park.
B.
Bethlehem Township Municipal Park North.
C.
The Janet Johnston Housenick & William D. Housenick Memorial
Park.
SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT
Any written authorization issued as required by this chapter
for the conduct or performance of a special event. Special event permit(s)
are not required for the following:
A.
Events sponsored by or benefitting the Archie Project occurring
at the Janet Johnston Housenick & William D. Housenick Memorial
Park.
B.
Outdoor scholastic/nonscholastic athletic events.
C.
Indoor scholastic/nonscholastic athletic events.
Except as provided by law or in this chapter, any nonexempt
special event shall be in strict compliance with the regulations contained
in this chapter.
Any person who violates or permits the violation of any provision
of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof in a summary proceeding
brought before a District Justice, be guilty of a summary offense
and shall be subject to the payment of a fine of not less than $100
and not more than $1,000, plus the costs of prosecution. In default
of payment thereof, the defendant may be sentenced to imprisonment
in the county prison for a term of not more than 30 days. Each section
or provision of this chapter that is violated shall constitute a separate
offense, and each day or portion thereof in which a violation of this
chapter is found to exist shall constitute a separate offense, each
of which violations shall be punishable by a separate fine imposed
by the District Justice of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000,
plus the costs of prosecution, or upon default of payment thereof,
the defendant may be sentenced to imprisonment in the county prison
for a term of not more than 30 days.