Chapter 5.46
SPECIAL EVENTS
Sections:
5.46.020 Special event permit required.
5.46.025 Exceptions to special event permit requirement.
5.46.060 Departmental analysis.
5.46.110 Revocation of special event permit.
5.46.120 Cost recovery for unlawful special event.
5.46.130 Expressive activity special event.
5.46.140 Penalties for violation.
5.46.010 Definitions.
Terms used in this chapter shall have the following meanings:
(1) “Demonstration” means a public display of group opinion as by a rally or march, the principal purpose of which is expressive activity.
(2) “Event organizer” means any person who conducts, manages, promotes, organizes, aids, or solicits attendance at a special event.
(3) “Event management company” means an entity with expertise in managing special events.
(4) “Expressive activity” includes conduct for which the sole or principal object is expression, dissemination, or communication by verbal, visual, literary, or auditory means of political or religious opinion, views, or ideas and for which no fee or donation is charged or required as a condition of participation in or attendance at such activity. For purposes of this chapter, expressive activity does not include sports events, including marathons, fundraising events, or events the principal purpose of which is entertainment.
(5) “Gross revenues” means the sum of all revenues received by an event organizer for a special event including, but not limited to, cash receipts, licensing, sponsorships, television, advertising and similar revenues, and concessions.
(6) “March” means an organized walk or event whose principal purpose is expressive activity in service of a public cause.
(7) “Noncommercial special event” means any special event organized and conducted by a person or entity that qualifies as a tax-exempt nonprofit organization, or a special event whose principal purpose is expressive activity.
(8) “Rally” means a gathering whose principal purpose is expressive activity, especially one intended to inspire enthusiasm for a cause.
(9) “Sidewalk” means that portion of a right-of-way, other than the roadway, set apart by curbs, barriers, markings, or other delineation for pedestrian travel.
(10) “Sign” means any sign, pennant, flag, banner, inflatable display, or other attention-seeking device.
(11) “Special event” means any fair, show, parade, run/walk, festival, or other publicly attended entertainment or celebration which is to be held in whole or in part upon publicly owned property or public rights-of-way, or if held wholly upon private property, will nevertheless affect or impact the ordinary and normal use by the general public or public rights-of-way within the vicinity of such event.
(12) “Special event permit” means a permit issued under this chapter.
(13) “Special permit venue” means that area for which a special event permit has been issued.
(14) “Street” means any place that is publicly maintained and open to use of the public for purposes of vehicular traffic, including highways.
(15) “Tax-exempt nonprofit organization” means an organization that is exempted from payment of income taxes by federal or state law and has been in existence for a minimum of six months preceding the date of application for a special event permit.
(16) “Vendor” means any person who sells or offers to sell any goods, food, or beverages within a special event venue. (Ord. 2901 § 1, 2012).
5.46.020 Special event permit required.
Except as provided elsewhere in this chapter, any person or entity who conducts, promotes, or manages a special event shall first obtain a special event permit from the city of Marysville. (Ord. 2901 § 1, 2012).
5.46.025 Exceptions to special event permit requirement.
(1) Although not required to be issued a special event permit, an event organizer of an activity exempted from this chapter is required to comply with all local, state and federal laws and regulations governing public safety or health.
(2) The following activities are exempt from obtaining a special event permit:
(a) Parades, athletic events or other special events that occur exclusively on city property and are sponsored or conducted in full by the city of Marysville. An internal review process will be conducted for these events;
(b) Private events held entirely on private property that do not involve the use of or have an impact on public property or facilities and that do not require the provision of city public safety services;
(c) Funeral and wedding processions on private properties;
(d) Groups required by law to be so assembled;
(e) Gatherings of 100 or fewer people in a city park, unless merchandise or services are offered for sale or trade to the public, in which case a special event permit is required;
(f) Temporary sales conducted by businesses, such as holiday sales, grand opening sales, anniversary sales, or single event (one day only) concession stands;
(g) Garage sales, rummage sales, lemonade stands, and car washes;
(h) Activities conducted by a governmental agency acting within the scope of its authority;
(i) Lawful picketing on sidewalks;
(j) Block parties located entirely on private property when not requesting a street closure, and not inviting others from outside the neighborhood;
(k) Annual Strawberry Festival which is governed by Chapter 5.48 MMC; and
(l) Other similar events and activities which do not directly affect or use city services or property. (Ord. 2901 § 1, 2012).
5.46.030 Permit application.
(1) An application for a special event permit can be obtained at the office of the community development director and will be completed and submitted to the community development director and/or designee no later than 60 days prior to the proposed event. A completed application does not constitute approval of the permit.
(2) A waiver of application deadline shall be granted upon a showing of good cause or at the discretion of the community development director and/or designee. The community development director and/or designee shall consider an application that is filed after the filing deadline if there is sufficient time to process and investigate the application and obtain police and other city services for the event. Good cause can be demonstrated by the applicant showing that the circumstances that gave rise to the permit application did not reasonably allow the participants to file within the time prescribed, and that the event is for the purpose of expressive activity.
(3) The following information shall be provided on the special event permit application:
(a) The name, address, fax, cell, day of event contact number, email address, and office telephone number of the applicant;
(b) A certification that the applicant will be financially responsible for any city fees or costs that may be imposed for the special event;
(c) The name, address, fax, cell, email address and telephone number of the event organizer, if any, and the chief officer of the event organizer, if any;
(d) A list of emergency contacts that will be in effect during the event, and the event web address, if any; and
(e) If the special event is designed to be held by, on behalf of, or for any organization other than the applicant, the applicant for special event permit shall file a signed, written communication from such organization:
(i) Authorizing the applicant to apply for the special event permit on its behalf;
(ii) Certifying that the applicant will be financially responsible for any costs or fees that may be imposed for the special event; and
(iii) Attached to which shall be a copy of the tax exemption letter issued for any applicant claiming to be a tax-exempt nonprofit organization;
(f) All permit applications shall include:
(i) A statement of the purpose of the special event;
(ii) A statement of fees to be charged for the special event, including admissions tax documentation;
(iii) The proposed location of the special event;
(iv) Dates and times when the special event is to be conducted;
(v) The approximate times when assembly for, and disbanding of, the special event is to take place;
(vi) The proposed locations of the assembly or production area;
(vii) The specific proposed site or route, including a map and written narrative of the route;
(viii) The proposed site of any reviewing stands and/or vending areas;
(ix) The proposed site for any disbanding area;
(x) Proposed alternative routes, sites or times, where applicable;
(xi) The approximate number of persons, animals, and vehicles that will constitute the special event;
(xii) The kinds of animals anticipated to be part of the special event;
(xiii) A description of the types of vehicles to be used in the special event;
(xiv) The number of bands or other musical units and the nature of any equipment to be used to produce sounds or noise;
(xv) The number and location of potable sanitation facilities;
(xvi) Other equipment or services necessary to conduct the special event with due regard for participant and public health and safety;
(xvii) The number of persons proposed or required to monitor or facilitate the special event and provide spectator or participant control and direction for special events using city streets, sidewalks, or facilities, including use of public or private law enforcement personnel;
(xviii) Provisions for first aid or emergency medical services, or both, based on special event risk factors;
(xix) Insurance and surety bond information;
(xx) Any special or unusual requirements that may be imposed or created by virtue of the proposed special event activity;
(xxi) The marketing plan with proposed timelines associated with marketing the activity to the general public;
(xxii) Event timeline documenting activities from event set-up to event tear-down;
(xxiii) Parking areas;
(xxiv) Identify city assistance being requested; and
(xxv) Any other information required by the city. (Ord. 2901 § 1, 2012).
5.46.040 Approval.
Based on the type of event and the event to which city services will be required, approval of special event permit applications will be made by the following authorities:
(1) Approval by City Staff. Administrative approval for one-day events contained on a single site that could involve special parking arrangements and hiring of police officers for crowd control and traffic control. City staff shall include a representative from the police, planning, public works, parks and recreation, fire, streets, sanitation, and community development director departments.
(2) Approval by City Council. Multiple-day events (four days maximum) or any event involving street closures or impacts to services city-wide. Events lasting more than four days shall be subject to submittal of additional information as required by city staff.
(3) The city council will be notified of all special event approvals made by the city staff.
(4) If permits and/or coordination is required from other agencies, i.e., Community Transit, Department of Transportation, Snohomish Health District, etc., these must be submitted prior to the issuance of the permit. (Ord. 2901 § 1, 2012).
5.46.050 Fees.
There will be a $100.00 nonrefundable application fee for a special event permit. (Ord. 2901 § 1, 2012).
5.46.060 Departmental analysis.
(1) The community development director or designee will send copies of special event permit applications to all pertinent city departments and/or outside agencies when deemed necessary for review and determination of services required.
(2) The applicant is required to contract with the Marysville police department and public works department to employ police officers for security and traffic control as determined by the departmental analysis.
(3) Cost of city services, i.e., police, public works employees, etc., for special events will be estimated prior to the event. Additional costs incurred will be evaluated following the completion of the event. The city may in its discretion require a cash deposit for such costs. (Ord. 2901 § 1, 2012).
5.46.070 Insurance required.
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the applicant is required to obtain and present evidence of comprehensive liability insurance naming the city of Marysville, its officials, officers, employees and agents as additional insured for use of streets, public rights-of-way and publicly owned property such as parks. The insurance policy shall be written on an occurrence basis and shall provide a minimum coverage of $1,000,000 for individual incidents, $2,000,000 aggregate, per event, against all claims arising from permits issued pursuant to this chapter. The insurance policy period shall be for a period not less than 24 hours prior to the event and extending for a period of not less than 24 hours following completion of the event. In circumstances presenting a significantly high risk of liability the city may, in its discretion, increase the minimum insurance requirements, and in circumstances presenting a significantly low risk of liability, the city may in its discretion reduce the minimum insurance requirements. (Ord. 2901 § 1, 2012).
5.46.080 Denial of permit.
Reasons for denial of a special event permit include, but are not limited to:
(1) The event will disrupt traffic within the city of Marysville beyond practical solution;
(2) The event will protrude into the public space open to vehicle or pedestrian travel in such a manner as to create a likelihood of endangering the public;
(3) The event will interfere with access to emergency services;
(4) The location or time of the special event will cause undue hardship or excessive noise levels to adjacent businesses or residents;
(5) The event will require the diversion of so many city employees that it would unreasonably affect other city services;
(6) The application contains incomplete or false information;
(7) The applicant fails to provide proof of insurance;
(8) The applicant fails to obtain a city business license and/or fails to pay the special event permit fee and/or the applicant has failed to pay all fees due from previous special events;
(9) The applicant failed to provide proof of sufficient monitors for crowd control and safety at least one week prior to the event;
(10) The applicant has failed to provide proof of sufficient on- or off-site parking or shuttle services, or both, when required, to minimize any substantial adverse impacts on general parking and traffic circulation in the vicinity of the special event;
(11) The applicant has failed to conduct a previously authorized or exempted special event in accordance with law and/or the terms of a permit;
(12) The special event application conflicts with permits issued on same date and location creating hardship or financial burden to already permitted events;
(13) The applicant does not meet current zoning requirements;
(14) The applicant fails to obtain local, county, state and federal permits as required;
(15) The city reasonably determines that the proposed special event conflicts with an already approved special event scheduled for same date(s). (Ord. 2901 § 1, 2012).
5.46.090 Appeal.
The applicant has the right to appeal any denial or revocation of a special events permit to the city council. An appeal shall be made in writing, shall specify the grounds of the appeal, shall have supporting documentation attached, and it shall be filed with the community development director within seven calendar days of the date of the written denial or revocation. (Ord. 2901 § 1, 2012).
5.46.100 Sanitation.
(1) A special event permit may be issued only after adequate waste disposal facilities have been identified and obtained by the applicant. The permittee is required to clean all permitted public and private properties and the right-of-way of rubbish and debris, returning it to its pre-event condition. If the permittee fails to clean up such refuse, the cleanup will be arranged by the city and the costs charged to the permittee.
(2) A special event permit may be issued only after adequate restroom and washroom facilities have been identified and arranged for or obtained by the applicant subject to the Snohomish Health District’s review and certification process. (Ord. 2901 § 1, 2012).
5.46.110 Revocation of special event permit.
(1) Any special event permit issued pursuant to this chapter is subject to revocation, pursuant to this section.
(2) A special event permit may be revoked if the city determines:
(a) That the special event cannot be conducted without violating the provisions of this chapter and/or conditions for the special event permit issuance;
(b) The special event is being conducted in violation of the provisions of this chapter and/or any condition of the special event permit;
(c) The special event poses a threat to health or safety;
(d) The event organizer or any person associated with the special event has failed to obtain any other permit required pursuant to the provisions of this chapter;
(e) The special event permit was issued in error or contrary to law;
(f) The applicant has not paid all fees when due; or
(g) The applicant has failed to provide confirmation or proof that it has obtained the minimum number of required volunteers to perform safety functions.
(3) Except as provided in this section, notices of revocation shall be in writing and specifically set forth the reasons for the revocation.
(4) If there is an emergency requiring immediate revocation of a special event permit, the city may notify the permit holder verbally of the revocation. (Ord. 2901 § 1, 2012).
5.46.120 Cost recovery for unlawful special event.
Whenever a special event is conducted without a special event permit when one is required or is conducted in violation of the terms of an issued special event permit, the event organizer shall be responsible for, and the city shall charge the event organizer for, all costs incurred as a result of the adverse impacts of the special event or the violation of the special event permit. (Ord. 2901 § 1, 2012).
5.46.130 Expressive activity special event.
When a special event permit is sought for an expressive activity such as a demonstration, rally, or march as defined in this chapter, the following exceptions shall apply:
(1) Where the special event will not require temporary street closures, cost recovery pursuant to MMC 5.46.050 shall be limited solely to a fee based on the cost of processing the permit application.
(2) The insurance requirement of MMC 5.46.070 shall be waived; provided, that the event organizer has filed with the application a verified statement that he or she intends the special event purpose to be First Amendment expression and the cost of obtaining insurance is financially burdensome and would constitute an unreasonable burden on the right of First Amendment expression. The verified statement shall include the name and address of one insurance broker or other source for insurance coverage contacted to determine premium rates for coverage.
(3) Where the special event will require temporary street closures and any one or more of the conditions of subsection (4) of this section are present requiring the city to provide services in the interest of public health, safety, and welfare, the special event coordinator may condition the issuance of the special event permit upon payment of actual, direct costs incurred by the city to a maximum of $500.00. Any fee schedule adopted by the city shall contain a provision for waiver of, or a sliding scale for payment of, fees for city services, including police costs, on the basis of ability to pay.
(4) The city may deny a special event permit for a demonstration, rally or march if:
(a) The special event will substantially interrupt public transportation or other vehicular and pedestrian traffic in the area of its route;
(b) The special event will cause an irresolvable conflict with construction or development in the public right-of-way or at a public facility;
(c) The special event will block traffic lanes or close streets during peak commuter hours on weekdays between 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on streets designated as arterials by the city’s public works department.
(d) The special event will require the diversion of police employees from their normal duties;
(e) The concentration of persons, animals, or vehicles will unduly interfere with the movement of police, fire, ambulance, and other emergency vehicles on the streets;
(f) The special event will substantially interfere with another special event for which a permit has already been granted or with the provision of city services in support of other scheduled special events; or
(g) The special event will have significant adverse impact upon residential or business access and traffic circulation in the same general venue.
(5) With regard to the permitting of expressive activity special events where the provisions of this section conflict with the provisions in any other section of this chapter, the provisions of this section shall prevail. (Ord. 2901 § 1, 2012).
5.46.140 Penalties for violation.
(1) Violations of, or failure to comply with, any provision of this chapter shall constitute a civil infraction and any person found to have violated any provision of this chapter is punishable by a monetary penalty of not more than $250.00 for each such violation. Each day that a violation continues shall constitute a new and separate infraction.
(2) The imposition of a penalty for violation of this chapter shall be in addition to any other penalties provided for in any other ordinances of the city or any other ordinances or laws applicable to the violation.
(3) Any permit fee or penalty which is delinquent or unpaid shall constitute a debt to the city and may be collected by a court proceeding in the same manner as any other debt in like amount, which remedy shall be in addition to all other existing remedies. (Ord. 2901 § 1, 2012).