Laguna Niguel Municipal Code Art. 9 Temporary Street Closure

(a) Permit required.

(1) Except as otherwise provided by law, it shall be unlawful, to close any public street unless a street closing permit therefor has been issued in accordance with the provisions of this article.

(2) The director of public works may issue a street closing permit subject to the provisions of this article and subject to such terms and conditions as are determined by the director to be necessary and proper for the protection of the public health, safety and welfare.

(3) Street closing permits shall only be issued to adults.

(b) Fire lanes. Any street closed pursuant to the provisions of this article shall at all times have a 15-foot wide emergency vehicle lane which lane shall extend throughout the closed area of the street and beyond to the next intersection in both directions. Said lane, shall be at all times kept clear of all obstructions to provide emergency vehicular access.

(c) Fire hydrants. No obstruction shall be erected or maintained within a 15-foot wide radius of any fire hydrant.

(d) Time limits. No street closing permit shall be issued for any duration longer than one calendar day, nor for any time before 8:00 a.m. or after 12:00 a.m. (midnight).

(e) Closure limits. No street closing permit shall be issued which allows the closure of an intersection, the closure of any street for more than 600 feet measured along the centerline of the street, or the closure of 300 feet on a cul-de-sac or dead end.

(f) Number. No more than five temporary street closures will be permitted on the same calendar day in any fire station initial response area. Applications therefor will be considered on a chronological (first come first served) basis.

(g) Department. Any event for which a street closing permit has been issued shall be conducted in such a manner so as not to unduly disturb the public peace.

(h) Alcoholic beverages. At no event for which a street closing permit has been issued shall there be permitted the sale of alcoholic beverages. In addition the consumption thereof by any minor is not permitted.

(i) Cleanup. Any person or persons issued a street closing permit shall, at the conclusion of the event for which such permit was issued, return all public properties to their original condition.

(j) Street barricades. Any person or persons issued a street closing permit shall personally pick up from the public works department and return to the department all street barricades necessary for the event and the street closure. Any such person shall place, remove and maintain the street barricades in their proper position during the approved time for the street closure and notify Laguna Niguel Police Services and the Orange County Fire Authority as to the exact time of the placement and removal of the street barricades.

(k) Additional requirements. Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, the chief of police and/or the fire chief or their delegates may impose, as to the issuance of a street closure permit, such additional conditions or requirements as each may deem reasonably necessary for the protection of health and safety.

(l) Interference with event. No person shall join or participate in any event for which a street closing permit has been issued without the express or implied consent of the permittee, nor shall any person interfere with its orderly conduct.

(m) Noise. The event and participants shall at all times comply with the provisions contained in Sections 6-6-1 through 6-6-15 of the Laguna Niguel Municipal Code which pertain to the abatement of noise.

(n) Revocation or suspension. Any street closing permit may be immediately suspended or revoked by the director of public works if he determines that there has been a failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the issued street closing permit or the provisions of this article. Upon suspension or revocation of the permit, the person receiving the permit shall immediately remove the street barricades, and if that person fails to remove them, they may be removed by the public works department.

(Ord. No. 96-91, § 1, 4-16-96)

(a) Applications.

(1) Every application for a street closing permit shall be made in writing upon such forms as shall be designed and promulgated by the department of public works.

(2) Every application for a street closing permit shall be filed with the city not less than 30 days nor more than 90 days prior to the date of the event.

(3) All applications for a street closing permit shall include:

a. The names, addresses and signatures of the applicant or applicants, or, if the applicant is an organization, the names, addresses and signatures of its responsible officer(s).

b. The exact location of the proposed street closure and the date and times therefor.

c. The names, addresses and written consent of all owners or property abutting the affected street.

d. A description of the nature of the event, the estimated number of participants, and the nature of entertainment at the event, if any.

(b) Deposit. As a condition of issuance of any street closing permit, a refundable deposit may be required by the public works department to insure cleanup and repair of public property after the conclusion of the event for which the street has been closed or for other purposes, such as insuring the return of the barricades in good condition.

(c) Damages; insurance.

(1) Any person or persons to whom a street closing permit has been issued shall be liable for any loss or damage to any city property arising out of the issuance or exercise of said permit.

(2) As a condition to the issuance of any street closing permit, the permittee or permittees may be required by the public works department to provide insurance to indemnify and defend the city and its officers and employees from any and all personal injuries and property damages, including costs of litigation, arising out of the issuance and use of such permit.

(d) Permit processing. Upon receipt of any street closing permit application, the public works director, prior to his issuing a permit, shall forward the application to police services and the Orange County Fire Authority for their review and approval. The director of public works shall issue a street closing permit upon his finding of the following:

(1) That the proposed activity or use of the street will not unreasonably interfere with traffic circulation in the area;

(2) That the proposed activity and use will not be detrimental to the public health, welfare, safety and recreation; and

(3) That the proposed activity or use will not entail extraordinary or burdensome expense to the emergency services of the city.

(e) Appeal.

(1) The decision to grant or deny any application for a street closing permit may be appealed to the traffic commission for consideration at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

(2) The decision of the traffic commission may be appealed to the city council for consideration at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

(3) Any permit under appeal shall be considered denied, if there is insufficient time to complete the appeal process.

(Ord. No. 96-91, § 1, 4-16-96)

No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle either upon any portion of roadway temporarily closed pursuant to this article, nor adjacent to either side of any barricade erected therefor; provided, however, that the provisions of this article shall not apply to the loading or unloading of material.

(Ord. No. 96-91, § 1, 4-16-96)