Chapter 12.24
MEETINGS AND PARADES
Sections:
12.24.040 Permit – Application.
12.24.060 Permit – Conditions on issuance.
12.24.070 Permit – Applications for same time or place.
12.24.080 Permit – Issuance or denial notice.
12.24.110 Compliance required.
12.24.120 Permit – Revocation.
For statutory authority for cities to regulate or prohibit processions or assemblages on the highways, see Vehicle Code §21100.
12.24.010 Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
A. “Activity” means a parade or public meeting or assembly;
B. “Funeral procession” means a single direct movement from a mortuary or church to the place of burial of a human body, under direction of an authorized funeral director;
C. “Parade” means a march or procession of any kind;
D. “Public meeting or assembly” means a planned or organized gathering of a group of persons, or any ceremony, show, exhibition or pageant which may reasonably be expected to result in the gathering of a group of persons, upon any public street, park or other public grounds. (Ord. 1011 §1 (part), 1978: prior code §17.1.1).
12.24.020 Permit – Required.
It is unlawful for any person to hold, manage, conduct, aid, participate in, form, start or carry on any parade or public meeting or assembly as defined in this chapter, in or upon any public street, park or other public grounds in the city unless and until a permit to conduct such meeting, assembly or parade has been obtained in compliance with the provisions of this chapter, except as provided in this chapter. (Ord. 1011 §1(part), 1978: prior code §17.1.2).
12.24.030 Exceptions.
This chapter shall not apply to any of the following:
A. Funeral processions;
B. A governmental agency acting within the scope of its functions;
C. Students going to and from school classes or participating in education activities, providing such activity is authorized by the school district and is under the immediate direction and supervision of the school authorities authorized by the school district to approve and supervise such activity. (Ord. 1011 §1(part), 1978: prior code §17.1.3).
12.24.040 Permit – Application.
A. Application for permits under this chapter must be filed with the chief of police not less than twenty-four hours in advance of the proposed activity, public meeting or assembly. Late applications may be accepted if filed sufficiently in advance to enable the chief of police to determine that said activity will meet the requirement set forth in Section 12.24.050.
B. The application shall be in writing and shall give the following information:
1. The name, address and telephone number of the person requesting the permit; if the activity is proposed to be conducted for, on behalf of, or by any organization, the name and address and telephone number of the headquarters of the organization and the authorized head of such organization shall be stated;
2. The name, address and telephone number of the person who will be directly in charge of and responsible for the activity;
3. The purpose of the activity;
4. The date, time and location or route of the proposed activity;
5. The approximate number of persons who will participate in the activity, and the number and kind of vehicles, equipment and animals which will be used;
6. Plans for the assembly and dispersal of the parade, including the times and locations thereof;
7. A statement as to whether the parade will occupy all or only a portion of the streets proposed to be traversed;
8. A statement as to whether a permit has been requested or obtained from any other city within which said activity shall commence, terminate or occur in part;
9. Any additional information which the chief of police or his designated representative shall find reasonably necessary to a determination of the findings required by Section 12.24.050. (Ord. 1011 §1(part), 1978: prior code §17.1.4).
12.24.050 Findings required.
The chief of police or his designated representative shall issue a permit as provided for under this chapter when from a consideration of the application and from such other information as may otherwise be obtained he finds that:
A. The conduct of such activity will not substantially interrupt the safe and orderly movements of other traffic;
B. The concentration of persons, animals and vehicles will not unduly interfere with proper fire and police protection of, or ambulance service to, areas where the activity will take place or areas contiguous to such area;
C. The conduct of such activity will not unduly interfere with the movement of fire-fighting equipment en route to a fire, or the movement of other emergency equipment;
D. The conduct of such activity is not reasonably likely to cause injury to persons or property or to provoke disorderly conduct or create a disturbance; and
E. Such activity is not to be held for the sole purpose of advertising the goods, wares or merchandise of the particular business establishment or vendor. (Ord. 1011 §1(part), 1978: prior code §17.1.5).
12.24.060 Permit – Conditions on issuance.
The chief of police or his designated representative shall have authority to impose such conditions as are necessary to insure that all the findings mentioned in Section 12.24.050 shall exist during the continuation of the activity. (Ord. 1011 §1(part), 1978: prior code §17.1.6).
12.24.070 Permit – Applications for same time or place.
If a prior permit application has been made for an activity proposed to be held at the same time or place, the chief of police or his designated representative may refuse approval of the later application. In case of such refusal, he shall forthwith send the applicant a written notice that he may apply for an alternative time and place. (Ord. 1011 §1(part), 1978: prior code §17.1.7).
12.24.080 Permit – Issuance or denial notice.
Notice of the issuance or denial of a permit shall be communicated to the applicant with promptness after the decision is made. If a permit is denied, said notice shall contain fully the reasons for denial. (Ord. 1011 §1(part), 1978: prior code §17.1.8).
12.24.090 Permit – Appeal.
The applicant shall have the right to appeal the denial of a permit to the city council. A notice of appeal shall be filed with one city clerk within two days after receipt of notice of the denial. The city council shall act upon the appeal at its next meeting following receipt of notice of appeal. It may affirm or modify the action of the chief of police or his designated representative. The city council’s decision shall be final. (Ord. 1011 §1(part), 1978: prior code §17.1.9).
12.24.100 Permit – Contents.
Conditions to the issuance of any permit shall be set forth in the permit. (Ord. 1011 §1(part), 1978: prior code §17.1.10).
12.24.110 Compliance required.
A permittee under this chapter shall comply with all terms and conditions of said permit and with all applicable laws and ordinances. (Ord. 1011 §1(part), 1978: prior code §17.1.11).
12.24.120 Permit – Revocation.
The chief of police or his designated representative may revoke any permit issued under this chapter upon the failure of the permittee to comply with the terms and conditions of said permit, or if the activity, because of the manner in which it is being conducted, or for any other reason, is jeopardizing those elements of the public safety or welfare set forth in Section 12.24.050. (Ord. 1011 §1(part), 1978: prior code §17.1.12).
12.24.130 Public conduct.
A. It is unlawful for any person to unreasonably obstruct, impede or interfere with any parade or public meeting or assembly or with any person, vehicle or animal participating in such a parade, meeting or assembly for which a permit has been granted in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
B. The chief of police shall have the authority, when reasonably necessary, to prohibit or restrict the parking of vehicles along a highway or part thereof constituting a part of the route of a parade. The chief of police shall post signs to such effect, and it is unlawful for any person to park or leave unattended any vehicle in violation thereof. (Ord. 1011 §1(part), 1978: prior code §17.1.13).