Ventura Municipal Code Art. 3 Permit Application

A. Except as provided in this chapter, completed applications for a permit authorizing an activity will be filed with the director at least:

1. Sixty days before the date of an activity to ensure administrative review and city council appeals;

2. Twenty business days before the date of an activity, in which case the opportunity for a city council appeal is deemed waived; or

3. A lesser time period approved by the director; provided, that there is sufficient time to process the application pursuant to this chapter. Any applicant submitting an application pursuant to this section less than 20 days before an event is deemed to have waived the administrative review and city council appeal.

B. Except as provided in this chapter, completed applications for a permit authorizing an event will be denied, approved, or conditionally approved by the director within seven business days after receiving the completed application. Following the director’s decision, the director will promptly attempt to notify the applicant orally, and will provide written notification to the applicant.

C. Unless otherwise provided, the director must receive the applicant’s acceptance of the approval or conditional approval within five business days after the applicant was served with notification of the decision. Failure to accept the decision or failure to file an application for administrative review will be deemed a withdrawal of the application. (Ord. No. 2019-024, § 1, 12-9-19)

A. Completed applications for a permit authorizing a free speech activity will be filed in the director’s office at least:

1. Thirty-five days before the date of the activity to ensure administrative review and city council appeal;

2. Two business days before the date of the activity in which case the opportunity for a city council appeal is deemed waived; or

3. A time period less than two business days before the date of the activity upon good cause shown. Applications will not be accepted less than 24 hours before an activity.

B. Completed applications will be denied, approved, or conditionally approved by the director within one business day after receiving the application. The director will promptly attempt to notify the applicant orally, and provide written notification to the applicant and city manager. Such notice will provide detailed facts and reasons for any denial or conditional approval.

1. The director will consult with the city attorney before denying, or specially conditioning, a permit for a free speech activity.

C. The director must receive an applicant’s acceptance of the approval or conditional approval at least 24 hours before the activity. Failure to accept the administrator’s decision or to timely file an administrative review request will be deemed a withdrawal of the application. (Ord. No. 2019-024, § 1, 12-9-19)

Permit applications will be in writing on a prescribed form available from the director and, for all activities, will contain all of the following information:

A. The name, mailing address, and daytime and evening telephone numbers of the person filing the application;

B. If the activity is to be conducted by an organization, the name, mailing address, and daytime telephone number of the organization; and, if requested by the director, written documentation of the authority under which the applicant is applying for the permit on behalf of the organization;

C. The name, mailing address, and daytime telephone number of the person who will be present during, and responsible for, the activity and an emergency contact if the applicant is unavailable;

D. The proposed date and estimated starting and ending time of the activity, including assembly and removal;

E. The proposed location of the activity;

F. The estimated number of participants in the activity;

G. A description of any sound amplification equipment, lighting, staging, etc., to be employed at the activity;

H. The number, size, and material of construction of any signs or banners to be used in the activity to be attached to windows, walls, doors, or the outside of buildings;

I. The activity’s parking requirements;

J. The type and number of any vendors who will sell or prepare food, beverages, or other goods or services at the event for which a business license is required by this code;

K. Whether alcohol will be served or sold at the activity; and

L. The type of entertainment. (Ord. No. 2019-024, § 1, 12-9-19)

In addition to the information required this chapter, applications for all permits authorizing an activity will include such supplemental information which the director may find reasonably necessary, given the nature of the activity, in order to determine whether to approve or deny a permit. (Ord. No. 2019-024, § 1, 12-9-19)

A. After an event permit application is filed, the director will immediately forward the application to directors, or designees (collectively “reviewing officers”), whose departments are affected by the proposed event for their recommendations.

B. Upon receiving an application, the reviewing officers will consider the application, conduct any necessary investigation, and provide the director with written recommendations regarding:

1. Any special conditions for a permit;

2. Whether, based on the scope of the proposed activity, a pre-activity operational meeting is required. Should such a meeting be necessary, the director will notify the applicant of the time and place of the meeting within a reasonable time before the event; and

3. Any additional recommendations.

C. The reviewing officers must complete their review before when the director must make a decision on the application. (Ord. No. 2019-024, § 1, 12-9-19)

A. The director will issue a permit if:

1. The application is complete in accordance with this chapter;

2. There are no grounds for denying the permit; and

3. Applicant accepts the permit approval or conditional approval by signing the permit.

B. Use of any permit issued pursuant to this chapter will conform to the general permit conditions of this chapter and, if applicable, special permit conditions reasonably deemed necessary by the director to protect public safety and/or welfare. (Ord. No. 2019-024, § 1, 12-9-19)

A permit may be denied for the following reasons:

A. The application is incomplete;

B. The applicant failed to provide reasonable supplemental application information requested by the director;

C. Information submitted by the applicant is materially false;

D. The activity’s time and/or method will unreasonably interrupt the safe and orderly movement of traffic contiguous to the site of the event;

E. The concentration of persons and/or vehicles at the activity prevents public safety and/or emergency services from reaching areas at or contiguous to the activity;

F. The size of the activity will overextend public safety and/or emergency services to the extent that the safety of activity participants, attendees, and/or the remainder of the city will be seriously jeopardized; provided, however, that nothing herein authorizes the denial of a permit because of the need to protect participants from the conduct of others;

G. The location of the activity will substantially interfere with previously scheduled construction or maintenance work at the event site;

H. The application was not timely submitted and there is insufficient time to investigate and process the application pursuant to the timelines herein;

I. The proposed activity conflicts or interferes with an activity previously permitted, or about to be permitted, for the same location, date, and time;

J. The nature or size of the activity threatens to cause damage to a facility; or

K. The nature of the activity conflicts with the nature and intended use of the facility. (Ord. No. 2019-024, § 1, 12-9-19)

If the director denies a permit for an event that would be acceptable by changing the event’s time, place, or manner, then the director will inform the applicant of such alternatives. Should the applicant accept the alternative time, place, or manner then a permit will be issued in accordance with this chapter. (Ord. No. 2019-024, § 1, 12-9-19)

Where the director denies a permit, the director will serve notice to the applicant and provide copies to the city attorney. (Ord. No. 2019-024, § 1, 12-9-19)