This chapter provides a process for reviewing proposed special events or special activations 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 or special activation allows short-term activities that do not meet the normal development or City approved use standards of the applicable zoning district or parcel 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. 24-36, 12/16/2024)
a. 
Special Event Permit or Special Activation Required. A special event permit or special activation is required for all short-term activities that do not meet the normal development or City approved use standards of the applicable zoning district or parcel 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 or special activation unless determined otherwise by the review authority:
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 bookstores 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.
6. 
Restaurant buyouts that do not involve additional elements, such as entertainment (unless entertainment is already permitted at the site), street closures, sidewalk closures, etc. A restaurant buyout is defined as having full or partial access to a restaurant for the purposes of a private event or gathering and the establishment does not allow general public access in that area.
(Ord. 24-36, 12/16/2024)
a. 
Number of Special Event Permits and Special Activations Per Business. A maximum of 16 special event permits and 16 special activations per calendar year are permitted unless existing conditions of approval of a permit further restrict the allowed number. Any City-produced special event or special activation shall not count against the total number of special event permits or special activations that a business is allowed per calendar year.
b. 
Duration of Special Event Permits and Special Activations. Unless modified by the review authority, each special event permit or special activation shall be no longer than three days. Build activity and strike activity are not counted as part of the event or activation duration, but shall be the minimum amount of time necessary, as determined by the review authority, to accommodate the nature of each specific event or activation, and as approved as part of the applicable special event permit or special activation.
c. 
Location. No special event permits or special activations are permitted on residentially zoned properties.
d. 
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 event permits or special activations. 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 special event or special activation.
e. 
Modification to this Section. The review authority may increase the number and duration of special event permits or special activations if they find that the number and duration furthers the objectives in Section 5.106.010 (Purpose) and the number and duration will not be materially detrimental to surrounding properties.
(Ord. 24-36, 12/16/2024)
Director Review. Special event permits and special activations shall be reviewed, approved, modified, or denied by the Department Director(s), and/or their designee(s), with the responsibility in managing special event or special activation regulations. The Department Director(s) responsible for special event or special activation regulations will be determined by administrative regulation of the City Manager.
(Ord. 24-36, 12/16/2024)
a. 
Application Preparation and Filing. An application for a special event permit or special activation shall be prepared, filed, and processed in the manner prescribed by the review authority on an approved City form. The applicant shall submit all required fees, securities, insurance, indemnification of the City from liability (in a form approved by the City Attorney), plans, and other documents and information as required by the form provided by the review authority.
b. 
Special Activation and Types of Special Events. The review authority shall characterize a special activation, or the type of special event based on the characteristics of, and elements associated with, the event or activation and the likely impacts on the surrounding community. The following defines a special activation and the types of special events:
1. 
Special Activation. An activity that does not qualify as a low or high impact minor special event or major special event, but still contains elements not permitted under its current land use and/or City approvals and necessitates review for temporary impacts. Examples include, but are not limited to: interior entertainment, the serving of food and/or beverages where not otherwise permitted, and/or activities that typically generate temporary disruptions or temporary inconveniences such as increased noise. An application is required to be submitted, at no cost, under subsection c below; however, a special event permit is not required for a special activation.
2. 
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/or City approvals and necessitates review for impacts. Examples include, but are not limited to: partial sidewalk closure, exterior entertainment, temporary valet, encroaching on the public right-of-way (sidewalk and/or parking meters), temporary structures built without the need for a building and safety permit, and/or activities that typically generate temporary noise or pedestrian disruptions.
3. 
High Impact Minor Special Event. An event that does not qualify as a major special event and contains elements not permitted under its current land use and/or City approvals and necessitates review for impacts. Examples include, but are not limited to: partial street closure(s), full sidewalk closure, building and safety permit(s) required, temporary structures built in parking lot, and/or activities that typically generate disruptions to vehicular and pedestrian traffic and generate temporary noise.
4. 
Major Special Event. An event that contains any minor special event defining elements and/or either one of the following: full street closure, and/or generates temporary but more significant disruptions in multiple areas of vehicular and pedestrian traffic and noise. Major special event examples include, but are not limited to: WeHo Pride and Halloween Carnaval.
c. 
Time for Filing. A special event application should be filed and deemed complete at least three business days in advance of a proposed special activation, five business days in advance of a low impact minor special event or high impact minor special event, and 30 business days prior to a major special event. If a proposed low or high impact minor special event requires traffic control review and approval due to sidewalk or street closures, submittal of required plans to the office of the City Engineer should be made at least 10 business days in advance of the event. The City cannot guarantee review of applications submitted later than the deadlines above.
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 or special activations, and the extensions of these permits or activations, based on the circumstances and degree of disruption. 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 seven days before the event to all residents of the impacted streets as determined by the review authority, or designee. Where the review authority determines that mailing seven 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. Full street closures require review and approval by the City Council. Partial street closures require review and approval by the City Manager, or designee.
2. 
Encroachment Permit. Use of a public right-of-way may require an encroachment permit as per Chapter 11.18. Notwithstanding Chapter 11.18, for minor temporary use of the public right-of-way related to a special activation or a low impact minor special event, the City Engineer may waive the requirement for a separate encroachment permit by finding that the requirements in this chapter provide adequate review of the use of the public right-of-way and a separate encroachment permit would be redundant. In all circumstances, use of the public right-of-way for a special activation or low impact minor special event requires insurance and indemnification as part of the approval process for the special activation or special event under this chapter.
3. 
Valet Parking Service License. Any special event or special activation engaged in conducting or managing the parking of other person's motor vehicle(s) requires a valet parking service license.
(Ord. 24-36, 12/16/2024)
A special event or special activation may be approved, modified, or conditioned only if the review authority first finds that:
a. 
The proposed special event or special activation is allowed within the applicable zoning district or parcel with the approval of a special event permit or special activation and complies with all other applicable provisions of the Zoning Ordinance and the Municipal Code; and
b. 
The proposed special event or special activation would not unduly impair the integrity and character of the zoning district or parcel in which it is located.
(Ord. 24-36, 12/16/2024)
In approving a special event permit or special activation, the review authority may impose reasonable and necessary specific design, locational, and operational conditions to ensure that:
a. 
The special event or special activation 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 or special activation 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 the Zoning Ordinance;
e. 
Adequate temporary parking will be provided to accommodate the vehicle traffic generated by the special event or special activation either on-site or at alternate locations acceptable to the review authority;
f. 
The special event or special activation 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 or special activation 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 or activations, and any other conditions deemed necessary to limit the impacts of the special event or special activation.
(Ord. 24-36, 12/16/2024)
a. 
Appeals. The approval or denial of a special event permit or special activation 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 special event permit or special activation 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 the Zoning Ordinance.
c. 
Revocation. A special event permit or special activation may be revoked or modified by the review authority with reasonable notice.
d. 
Extension of Special Event Permits and Special Activations. The review authority may extend the length of a special event permit or special activation per Section 5.106.030.
e. 
Expiration. A special event permit or special activation shall be considered to have expired when the special event or special activation and strike activity have ceased, or the special event permit or special activation was revoked.
(Ord. 24-36, 12/16/2024)