Chapter 17.124 — TEMPORARY USE PERMITS

modified

When certain short-term activities require individual consideration but not intensive review, the Community Development Director may grant a temporary use permit. Conditions of approval may be added to ensure the spirit and purpose of this title will be observed and that public health, safety and welfare are protected.

(Ord. No. 3053, § 3(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)

modified

A.

Construction Yards, Off-Site. Off-site contractors' construction, in conjunction with an approved construction project on a different site. The permit shall be removed immediately upon completion of the construction project, or the expiration of the building permit authorizing the construction project, whichever occurs first.

B.

Seasonal Sales Events. The temporary sale of seasonal merchandise shall comply with the following:

1.

Zoning. May be permitted in all Multiuse, Commercial and Manufacturing Zoning Districts.

2.

Types of Events.

a.

Temporary Use Permit Required. Outdoor events including pumpkin patches, Christmas tree lots and flower stands (for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, etc.) and similar seasonal sales of merchandise.

b.

Temporary Use Permit Not Required. Fireworks stands shall be exempt from this chapter and shall require Permit Committee approval.

3.

Duration.

a.

A maximum of three (3) sales events per property per calendar year may occur. Shopping centers, office complexes, industrial parks and other similar campus settings shall be considered one property.

b.

The maximum duration of one sales event shall be forty-five (45) days.

c.

The maximum combined duration of all events shall be sixty (60) days.

4.

Hours of Operation. Shall be limited to 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays and 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sundays and federal holidays.

5.

Size. For properties occupied by an existing use, a maximum of twenty-five (25) percent of the parking areas may be utilized. For vacant properties, a maximum of seventy-five (75) percent of the parking areas may be utilized. Other outdoor areas may also be used. All Los Angeles County Fire Department access shall be maintained.

6.

Site Cleanup. After the sales are completed, all associated structures, signage and refuse shall be removed from the property within twenty-four (24) hours.

7.

Other Approvals. The applicant shall obtain any other required approvals for temporary structures, tents, power/lighting, portable restrooms, concessions, security, signage and/or other items prior to operations.

C.

Special Events. The special event shall comply with the following:

1.

Zoning. Religious assembly events may be permitted in any zoning district where religious institutions are permitted. All other events may be permitted in all Multiuse, Commercial and Manufacturing Zoning Districts and the Downtown Specific Plan (SP-4).

2.

Types of Events.

a.

Temporary Use Permit Required. Outdoor events including business openings, business closings, food events (without food trucks), arts and crafts exhibits, outdoor meetings, religious assembly and merchandise sales (related to an existing business on the property). Events may be private or open to the public.

b.

Temporary Use Permit Not Required.

i.

Groundbreaking and ribbon cutting ceremonies in coordination with the city or local chamber of commerce shall be exempt from this chapter.

ii.

Outdoor events including animal shows, carnivals, circuses, concerts and farmers' markets shall require Permit Committee approval.

iii.

Any outdoor event that includes amplified sound, food trucks, fireworks, alcohol sales (off-site or on-site sales or use), street closures, traffic control and/or off-site parking shall require Permit Committee approval.

3.

Duration.

a.

A maximum of four (4) special events per property per calendar year may occur. Shopping centers, office complexes, industrial parks and other similar campus settings shall be considered one property.

b.

The maximum duration of one special; events shall be four (4) days. A period longer than four (4) consecutive days shall require Permit Committee approval.

c.

Multiple special events shall be separated by a minimum of thirty (30) days.

d.

The maximum combined duration of all events shall be sixteen (16) days.

e.

The maximum combined duration of all events shall include all special events approved through the temporary use permit and Permit Committee process, with exception to subsection C.2.b.i. above.

4.

Hours of Operation.

a.

Residential Zoning Districts. Shall be limited to 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays and 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays.

b.

All Other Zoning Districts. Shall be limited to 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays and 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sundays and federal holidays.

Size. A maximum of twenty-five (25) percent of the parking areas may be utilized. Other outdoor areas may also be used. A percentage greater than twenty-five (25) percent shall require Permit Committee approval. All Los Angeles County Fire Department access shall be maintained.

6.

Site Cleanup. After the sales are completed, all associated structures, signage and refuse shall be removed from the property within twenty-four (24) hours.

7.

Other Approvals. The applicant shall obtain any other required approvals for temporary structures, tents, power/lighting, portable restrooms, concessions, security, signage and/or other items prior to commencing the event.

D.

Temporary Living Trailers. A trailer or mobile home may be used in any zoning district as a temporary residence during the construction of a permanent residence, provided the trailer is located on the same site where the permanent residence will be located and will be occupied by the same people that will ultimately live in the permanent residence. The application may be approved for a maximum period of one hundred twenty (120) days.

E.

Temporary Model Homes/Units. Temporary model homes/units and related facilities may be established in any zoning district within the area of an approved residential project, solely for the sale of homes. The application may be approved for a maximum period of eighteen (18) months.

F.

Temporary Real Estate Sales Offices. A temporary real estate office may be established in any zoning district within the area of an approved development project solely for the first sale of homes/units. The application may be approved for a maximum period of eighteen (18) months.

G.

Temporary Structures. A temporary classroom, office or similar portable structure, including a manufactured or mobile unit, may be approved in a nonresidential zoning district as an accessory use or as the first phase of a development project. The application may be approved for a maximum period of eighteen (18) months.

H.

Temporary Work Trailers. A trailer or mobile home may be used as a temporary work site for employees of a business in any zoning district: 1) during construction of a subdivision or other development project as part of an active building permit; and 2) upon demonstration by the applicant that the temporary work trailer is a short-term necessity, while a permit work site is being obtained. The application may be approved for a maximum period of eighteen (18) months.

I.

Vehicle Parking. The temporary parking of stationary vehicles on vacant sites shall conform with the following:

1.

Use Type. Shall be limited to overflow inventory for a vehicle sales and lease use (general, new vehicles only). Other types of vehicles shall not be considered through subsection J. below.

2.

Zoning. May be permitted in the Neighborhood Commercial (C-2), General Commercial (C-3), Office Professional (OP), Light Manufacturing (M-1), General Manufacturing (M-2) and Airport (AP) zoning districts. Other zoning districts shall not be considered through subsection J. below.

Duration. The application may be approved for an initial period of two (2) years. An additional 12-month extension may be permitted.

4.

Property. Property shall be vacant (no existing use of the property). Vehicles must be parked on a paved surface.

5.

Site Cleanup. After the duration of the parking is completed, all associated structures, signage and refuse shall be removed from the site within seventy-two (72) hours.

J.

Similar Temporary Uses. Similar temporary uses which, in the opinion of the Community Development Director, are compatible with the zoning district and the surrounding land uses.

(Ord. No. 3053, § 3(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)

17.124.030 - Exempt uses.

modified

The following uses shall be exempt from a temporary use permit:

A.

Car Washes. Car washes sponsored by a cultural institution, K-12 school—public or private, preschool—public or private or philanthropic or charitable institution on property zoned nonresidential.

B.

City Facility. Any temporary event conducted at City Hall or another city facility.

C.

Construction Yard, On-Site. On-site contractors' construction yards in conjunction with an approved construction project on the same site. The construction yard shall be removed immediately upon completion of the construction project, or the expiration of the building permit authorizing the construction project, whichever occurs first.

D.

Emergency Facilities. Emergency public health and safety needs/land use activities.

E.

Filming Permit. Activities associated with an approved filming permit.

F.

Permit Committee. Uses and activities that receive approval from the Permit Committee.

(Ord. No. 3053, § 3(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)

modified

The rules and procedures for applications, records and investigations applicable to temporary use permits shall be as follows:

A.

Applications.

1.

Applications for a temporary use permit shall be made on the appropriate form. The Community Development Director shall determine the minimum filing procedures, content and form of materials which must be submitted before the Planning Division

can review and take action on the request. The filing procedures and applications shall be published and made available to the public. No application shall be received unless it complies with all filing requirements.

2.

One temporary use permit application may be submitted for multiple seasonal sales events or multiple special events. However, events that require Permit Committee approval shall be submitted separately.

B.

Records. Applications filed pursuant to this chapter shall be numbered consecutively in the order of their filing and shall be part of the permanent official records of the Planning Division.

C.

Decisions. The Community Development Director shall issue a decision letter within ten (10) days of deeming the application complete.

(Ord. No. 3053, § 3(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)

modified

A.

The temporary use permit will not be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare or injurious to the subject property or other improvements in the vicinity;

B.

Conditions of approval have been incorporated to ensure: 1) the site is secure and the surrounding area is safeguarded; 2) the use is conducted in an orderly and efficient manner; and 2) impacts such as noise, light/glare, odors, smoke, traffic and vibration are limited; and

C.

The temporary use permit will not adversely affect the purpose, goals and policies of the general plan, the Zoning Code and any applicable specific plan.

(Ord. No. 3053, § 3(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)

modified

A.

The temporary use permit shall only be valid for the dates and times specified by the Community Development Director. The applicant may request in writing to revise the specified dates and times. The requested revision shall be considered by the Community Development Director within ten (10) days of the request.

B.

The temporary use permit shall be void if not used within the dates and times specified by the Community Development Director.

(Ord. No. 3053, § 3(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)

modified

Planning Division decisions regarding this chapter are appealable to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission's decision shall be final. Refer to Section 17.10.100 (General Regulations—Ability to Appeal) of this title for additional information.

(Ord. No. 3053, § 3(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)