Chapter 5.36
WALKING TOURS
Sections:
5.36.020 Permit Required – Applicability.
5.36.030 Time, Place and Manner Restrictions.
5.36.050 Permit Submittals and Approvals.
5.36.020 Permit Required – Applicability.
Walking tours are prohibited except as provided in this chapter. All operators of commercial walking tours shall obtain a gross business license authorizing the conduct of business within City limits. Existing businesses operating without a license shall obtain one within 60 days of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter or shall cease operations within City limits. The City Administrator or his/her designee is authorized to issue such licenses when the applicant meets the qualifications established in this chapter and agrees to comply with all standards for walking tours adopted by the City. (Ord. 2005-03 § 1 (Exh. A), 2005).
5.36.030 Time, Place and Manner Restrictions.
A. All walking tours shall be conducted only during the following hours:
1. Monday through Saturday, 9:00 am. to 5:00 p.m.
2. Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
B. No voice amplification systems (portable public address systems, bull horns, etc.) shall be used for any walking tour.
C. Walking tour guides/docents/tour operators shall at all times control the walking tour group so as to minimize interference with pedestrian and vehicular travel along the City’s sidewalks and streets, respectively. At each point of interest where a group stops, the group shall be positioned to maintain a clear path of travel through the area for anyone not associated with the walking tour group. Walking tour groups shall not:
1. Stop or stand off the sidewalk (in the street) when a sidewalk exists. In no case shall a group stop or stand in an intersection.
2. Obstruct any driveway, marked parking space, street or roadway.
3. Obstruct the entrance to any residence, commercial establishment or public building.
4. Enter upon any private residential property in any land use district unless the tour operator has obtained the prior written permission of the property owner(s).
5. Cross any street except at intersections and using designated crosswalks when available.
Walking tour operators shall, by verbal or written means, inform tour participants of the City’s regulations on tour group behavior, subsections (C)(1) through (C)(5) of this section, at the commencement of each tour.
D. No retail sales shall be conducted as a part of any walking tour except as allowed within any fixed place of business licensed for such use.
E. Except as provided in CMC 5.36.040, the maximum size of any walking tour group shall be limited to 21 persons, including the tour leader/docent.
F. Except as provided in CMC 5.36.040, walking tours shall be limited to routes located on or within the boundary identified in Figure 1 following this chapter. (Ord. 2005-03 § 1 (Exh. A), 2005).
5.36.040 Exemptions.
Any nonprofit organization or commercial walking tour operator, when conducting special-event walking tours not more often than four times per calendar year, is exempt from the standards of CMC 5.36.030(B) and (F). All other standards of that section shall apply equally to all walking tours. (Ord. 2005-03 § 1 (Exh. A), 2005).
5.36.050 Permit Submittals and Approvals.
Upon the filing of a complete application and fee, the City Administrator or the Administrator’s designee shall take action to approve or deny the application and inform the applicant. Appeals of decisions on business licenses shall be as established elsewhere in this title. (Ord. 2005-03 § 1 (Exh. A), 2005).
5.36.060 Definitions.
A. “Commercial walking tour” means a walking tour for which a fee or other remuneration is charged. This definition excludes tours organized by nonprofit (501(c)3) organizations registered with the State and for which donations only are requested from tour participants.
B. “Walking tour” means any assembly of two or more persons led on foot, by a guide, docent or tour operator who represents or works for a business, organization or other entity, the purpose and/or activity of which, in whole or in part, is to provide walking tour services to individuals or groups, as a means of transmitting information associated with sites visited. Common topics for walking tours include people, places, ideas, architecture, natural history, environments, culture or events. (Ord. 2005-03 § 1 (Exh. A), 2005).
Figure 1