Special Events

Click here for Special Event Permit application.

Special Events That Require Permits

A permit is required for following type of special events:

Type 1. Non-commercial events. Fund raising or non-commercial events held outside an enclosed permanent structure anywhere in the City, including parades, advertised demonstrations or events including on-site signs and structures used in conjunction with the event.

Type 2. Special Seasonal Sales. Farmers’ market, Christmas tree sales, fruit, flower or vegetable sales, or sale of other seasonal products, when sold other than on the site where grown, constructed or assembled.

Type 3. Temporary signage.

Type 4. Commercial events. Significant commercial events such as tent sales, trade shows, merchandise sales, product demonstrations or transient merchants.

Type 5. Public Attractions. Significant outdoor public events intended primarily for entertainment or amusement, such as carnivals, concerts or festivals including firework displays.

Application Process

A complete application along with a site plan depicting the information outlined on the special event permit checklist shall be submitted to the Planning & Development Department at least 10 days prior to the requested start date of any special event.

Type 1, 2, 3 and 4 Special Events

A permit may be issued by the city when all of the following conditions have been satisfied:

The application has been reviewed and approved by the code Official, Public Works, Police and Fire Departments for traffic control and other safety concerns.
An electrical plan, if required for the special event, is approved by the Code Official.
The special event will comply with the special event performance standards set forth in the Unified Development Ordinance Article 11, Section 11.060;
Seasonal sales areas intended for sales longer than 90 days shall install permanent decorative fencing with brick or masonry pilasters to separate such sales from travel ways. Such sales areas shall first be approved by the Director prior to their placement. The following requirements shall govern their location.
A maximum of 10% of the total number of parking spaces dedicated to the primary business intending to operate seasonal sales shall be used;
No fire lane or emergency access area shall be used at any time for either the sale of goods or pick-up or loading areas;
No handicapped parking spaces shall be used or interfered with at any time;
Reasonable traffic flow shall be maintained in and around the sales area.

Type 5 Special Events

All type 5 events, and any other event not meeting the criteria of a Type 1, 2, 3 or 4 special event, may be granted a special event permit by the city Council after review and report by the Director.

Special event permits are not required for:

Any not-for-profit special event, located on private property, and less than 72 hours in duration. Such events involving public property are not exempt and are required by the City to obtain a special event permit to ensure protection of the public health and welfare.
Any special event sponsored or co-sponsored by the City. A special event sponsored or co-sponsored by the city shall, however, comply with the performance standards set forth in Section 11.060.
Any special event held within a public park (Although exempt from this Section these types of special events shall be governed by other provisions of the Municipal Code regulating conduct in City parks and recreation areas.)
Auctions/estate sales for individual property that is not considered a special event and is conducted by duly licensed auctioneers.
Any business already operating under a special use permit that regulates the display and sale is outdoor goods or authorizes the operation of any special event as defined herein.
Garage sales (up to 4 times per year), not to exceed 20 days per year or 5 days per event.