This chapter provides a process for reviewing proposed special events to ensure that basic health, safety, and community welfare standards are met, while approving suitable special events with the minimum necessary conditions or limitations consistent with the temporary nature of the activity. A special event permit allows short-term activities that might not meet the normal development or use standards of the applicable zoning district, but may otherwise be acceptable because of their temporary nature. However, these activities should be regulated to avoid incompatibility between the proposed activity and surrounding areas.
(Ord. 18-1048 § 8, 2018)
A. 
Permit Required. A special event permit is required for all short-term activities associated with entertainment or business promotion that do not meet the normal development or use standards of the applicable zoning district, but may otherwise be acceptable because of their temporary nature.
B. 
Exempt Activities. The following activities are not required to obtain a special event permit:
1. 
Events which occur in meeting halls, theaters, or other permanent indoor public assembly facilities with little or no impact on the surrounding neighborhood.
2. 
Promotional activities related to the primary product lines of a retail business, and similar activities in compliance with Section 19.36.030. For example, book readings and signings at book stores and opening receptions at art galleries.
3. 
Emergency public health and safety activities.
4. 
Events determined to not have an impact on the surrounding area, as determined by the review authority.
5. 
Temporary Uses that obtain a temporary use permit in compliance with Chapter 19.54.
(Ord. 18-1048 § 8, 2018)
A. 
Number of Permits Per Business. A maximum of 12 special event permits and 12 activations per calendar year are permitted unless existing conditions of approval of a permit further restrict the allowed number. Activations include any activity that requires a valet permit, encroachment permit and/or cause impact(s) deemed by the review authority to count as an activation. Any city-produced special event shall not count against the total number of activations that a business is allowed per calendar year.
B. 
Duration of Special Events. Unless modified by the review authority, each special event shall be no longer than three days. Build activity and strike activity are not counted as part of the event duration, but shall be the minimum amount of time necessary, as determined by the review authority, to accommodate the nature of each specific event, and as approved as part of the applicable permit.
C. 
Location. No special events are permitted on residentially zoned properties.
D. 
Special Event Guide. All activities on public or private property shall comply with the standards and guidelines established by the review authority in the Special Event Permit Guide.
E. 
General Standards. Standards for floor areas, heights, landscaping areas, off-street parking, setbacks, and other structure and property development standards that apply to the category of use or the zoning district of the subject parcel shall be used as a guide for determining the appropriate development standards for special events. However, the review authority may authorize an adjustment from the specific requirements as deemed necessary and appropriate given the degree of anticipated off-site impacts and temporary nature of the event.
F. 
Modification to this Section. The review authority may increase the number and duration of permits if they find that the number and duration furthers the objectives in Section 19.54.010 (Purpose) and the number and duration will not be materially detrimental to surrounding properties.
(Ord. 18-1048 § 8, 2018)
Economic Development Director Review (Special Events). Special event permits shall be reviewed, approved, modified, or denied by the Economic Development Director, or designee.
(Ord. 18-1048 § 8, 2018)
A. 
Application Preparation and Filing. An application for a special event permit shall be prepared, filed and processed in compliance with Chapter 19.40 (Application Filing and Processing) unless otherwise stated in this section.
B. 
Types of Special Events. The review authority shall determine the type of special event based on the characteristics of, and elements associated with, the event and the likely impacts on the surrounding community. The following are the types of special events:
1. 
Low Impact Minor Special Event. An event that does not qualify as a high impact minor special event or major special event, but still contains elements not permitted under its current land use and necessitates review for potential impacts. Examples include: temporary valet and encroaching on the public right-of-way (sidewalk and/or parking meters).
2. 
High Impact Minor Special Event. An event with any one or more of the following event elements; partial street closure(s), full sidewalk closure, building and safety permit required, temporary structures built in parking lot, and/or typically generates disruptive impacts on traffic, noise, and/or safety
3. 
Major Special Event. Any minor special event defining elements and/or either one of the following: full street closure, and/or generates disruptive impacts in multiple areas of traffic, noise, and/or safety.
C. 
Time for Filing. A special event permit application shall be filed and deemed complete at least 72 hours in advance of a proposed low impact minor special event or high impact minor special event, and 30 days prior to a major special event.
D. 
Public Notice Required. The type and extent of public notice provided to area residents shall be determined by the review authority for special event permits, and the extensions of these permits. The applicant shall pay for all noticing costs. For events which require street or lane closures or off-site parking arrangements, a public notice shall be mailed 10 days before the event to all residents of the impacted streets as determined by Director, or designee. Where the review authority determines that mailing 10 days prior to the event is not feasible, the notice shall be mailed at least five days before the event. In lieu of a mailing, the applicant may hand deliver the notices, and provide proof of service to the review authority.
E. 
Additional Permits Required. Special events may be subject to additional permits and other city approvals, licenses, and inspections required by applicable laws or regulations.
1. 
Street Closures. All street closures require review and approval by the City Council.
2. 
Encroachment Permit. Any use of a public right-of-way may require an encroachment permit as per Chapter 11.28.
3. 
Valet Parking Service License. Any special event permittee engaged in conducting or managing the parking of other person's motor vehicle(s) requires a valet parking service license.
(Ord. 18-1048 § 8, 2018)
A special event permit may be approved, modified, or conditioned only if the review authority first finds that:
A. 
The proposed special event is allowed within the applicable zoning district with the approval of a special event permit and complies with all other applicable provisions of this Zoning Ordinance and the Municipal Code; and
B. 
The proposed special event would not unduly impair the integrity and character of the zoning district in which it is located.
(Ord. 18-1048 § 8, 2018)
In approving a special event permit, the review authority may impose reasonable and necessary specific design, locational, and operational conditions to ensure that:
A. 
The event is limited to a duration that is less than the maximum allowed duration, as determined appropriate by the review authority, which may include reduction in operating hours and days to a shorter time than requested if necessary;
B. 
The site is physically adequate for the type, density, and intensity of use being proposed, including provision of services (e.g., sanitation, water, medical facilities, security and safety measures, solid waste facilities, including adequate recycling facilities), public access, and the absence of physical constraints;
C. 
The design, location, size, and operating characteristics of the proposed use are compatible with the existing and future land uses on site and in the vicinity of the subject property;
D. 
The special event will be removed and the site restored to its previous state as necessary to ensure that no changes to the site will limit the range of possible future land uses otherwise allowed by this Zoning Ordinance;
E. 
Adequate temporary parking will be provided to accommodate the vehicle traffic generated by the special event either on-site or at alternate locations acceptable to the review authority;
F. 
The event will comply with applicable provisions of other local, state, or federal laws or regulations and addresses any necessary and/or required coordination with other city agencies;
G. 
Nuisance factors are addressed, including the prevention of glare or direct illumination of adjacent properties, dirt, dust, gasses, heat, noise, odors, smoke, or vibrations, including limitations on amplified sound; and
H. 
Any other pertinent factors affecting the operation of the special event will be addressed through conditions to ensure the orderly and efficient operation of the proposed use or event, in compliance with the intent and purpose of this chapter, including, but not limited to, regulation of temporary signage, temporary structures and facilities, including height, placement, and size, and the location of equipment and open spaces, including buffer areas and other yards, location of events, and any other conditions deemed necessary to limit the impacts of the special event.
(Ord. 18-1048 § 8, 2018)
A. 
Appeals. The approval or denial of a special event permit may be appealed to the City Manager by filing an appeal in writing. The City Manager shall hold a hearing within 30 days and shall make a determination on the permit based on the required findings. An appeal of a City Manager decision may be made to the City Council.
B. 
Condition of the Site Following a Special Event. Each site occupied by a special event shall be cleaned of debris, litter, or any other evidence of the temporary activity on completion or removal of the activity, and shall thereafter be used in compliance with the provisions of this Zoning Ordinance.
C. 
Revocation. A special event permit may be revoked or modified by the review authority, with only a 24-hour notice, in compliance with Section 19.80.060 (Revocations and Modifications).
D. 
Extension of the Permit. The review authority may extend the length of the special event permit per Section 19.55.030.
E. 
Expiration. A special event permit shall be considered to have expired when the special event and strike activity have ceased or the special event permit was revoked.
(Ord. 18-1048 § 8, 2018)