Chapter 12.20
MEETINGS, ASSEMBLIES AND PARADES IN PUBLIC PLACES
Sections:
12.20.060 Conditions of permit.
12.20.080 Notice of issue or denial.
12.20.120 Revocation of permit.
12.20.130 Public conduct during meeting, assembly or parade.
12.20.010 Definition.
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 the 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, upon any public street, park or other public grounds. (Ord. 1020 §2, 1988: prior.‘ code §12.20.010)
12.20.020 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. 1020 §3, 1988: prior code §12.20.020)
12.20.030 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 educational 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. 1020 §4, 1988: prior code §12.20.030)
12.20.040 Application.
A. Application for permits under this chapter must be filed with the chief of police not less than five days in advance of the proposed activity. Late applications may be accepted if filed sufficiently in advance of the date of the proposed activity to enable the chief of police to determine that the activity will meet the requirements set forth in Section 12.20.050.
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, address and telephone number of 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 be participating 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 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 the activity shall commence, terminate or occur in part;
9. Any additional information which the chief of police shall reasonably find necessary to a determination of the findings required by Section 12.20.050. (Ord. 1457 §2(part), 2015; Ord. 1372 §1(part), 2008; Ord. 1020 §5, 1988: prior code §12.20.040)
12.20.050 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 safety and orderly movement 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 other emergency 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 person or property; and
E. Such activity is not to be held for the sole purpose of advertising the goods, wares or merchandise of a particular business establishment or vendor. (Ord. 1457 §2(part), 2015; Ord. 1372 §1(part), 2008; Ord. 1020 §6, 1988: prior code §12.20.050)
12.20.060 Conditions of permit.
The chief of police shall have the authority to impose such conditions as are necessary to ensure that all of the findings mentioned in Section 12.20.050 shall exist during the continuations of the activity. (Ord. 1457 §2(part), 2015; Ord. 1372 §1(part), 2008; Ord. 1020 §7, 1988: prior code §12.20.060)
12.20.070 Prior application.
If a prior permit application shall have been made for an activity proposed to be held at the same time or place, the chief of police may refuse approval of the latter application. In case of such refusal, he shall forthwith send the applicant a written notice that he may apply for an alternate time and place. (Ord. 1457 §2(part), 2015; Ord. 1372 §1(part), 2008; Ord. 1020 §8, 1988: prior code §12.20.070)
12.20.080 Notice of issue or denial.
The chief of police shall act upon the permit application within three days of the filing thereof. If he disapproves of the application, he shall mail to the applicant within that three-day period notice of the denial and the reason for it. (Ord. 1457 §2(part), 2015; Ord. 1372 §1(part), 2008; Ord. 1020 §9, 1988: prior code §12.20.080)
12.20.090 Appeals procedure.
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 the city clerk-treasurer 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 the notice of appeal. (Ord. 1020 §10, 1988: prior code §12.20.090)
12.20.100 Contents of permit.
Conditions to the issuance of any permit shall be set forth in the permit. (Ord. 1020 §11, 1988: prior code §12.20.100)
12.20.110 Duty of permittee.
A. A permittee under this chapter shall comply with all terms and conditions of the permit and with all applicable laws and ordinances.
B. The written permit obtained pursuant to this chapter shall be carried by the person heading or leading the activity for which the permit was issued. (Ord. 1020 §12, 1988: prior code §12.20.110)
12.20.120 Revocation of permit.
The chief of police may revoke any permit issued under this chapter upon the failure of the permittee to comply with the terms and conditions of the 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 12.20.050. (Ord. 1457 §2(part), 2015; Ord. 1372 §1(part), 2008; Ord. 1020 §13, 1988: prior code §12.20.120)
12.20.130 Public conduct during meeting, assembly or parade.
A. It is unlawful for any person to unreasonably obstruct, impede or interfere with any parade or public 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 part of the route of parade. The chief of police shall post signs to such effect, and it shall be unlawful for any person to park or leave unattended any vehicle in violation thereof. (Ord. 1457 §2(part), 2015; Ord. 1372 §1(part), 2008; Ord. 1020 §14, 1988: prior code §12.20.130)