Ventura Municipal Code Art. 2 Fees

All fees applicable to this chapter, including, without limitation, the basic rate, will be established by city council resolution. (Ord. No. 2019-022, § 1, 12-9-19)

Applications for a permit authorizing an event in a park will be accompanied by an application fee based on the estimated administrative costs incurred by the city for processing applications and issuing permits. (Ord. No. 2019-022, § 1, 12-9-19)

The director will waive any fee required by this chapter for any permit authorizing a free speech event upon proof of the applicant’s inability to pay, which will be supported by a financial declaration. (Ord. No. 2019-022, § 1, 12-9-19)

A condition of issuing a permit is that the permittee will pay the city the basic rate as follows:

A. Category 1 permittees pay zero percent of the basic rate. Permittees in this category are recognized volunteer organizations that are nonprofit whose primary purpose is to provide fundraising and/or other support to recreation providers. The organization for which fundraising and/or other support is provided must maintain its recreation programs open to the public for all recreation activities and meetings.

B. Category 2 permittees pay 50 percent of the basic rate. Permittees in this category include recognized recreation-oriented organizations that are nonprofit whose primary purpose is to provide recreation. Their programs are open to the public for recreation activities and meetings, including league sports.

C. Category 3 permittees pay 75 percent of the basic rate. Permittees in this category include local community organizations or local nonprofit organizations, including fundraising by such organizations that does not support community recreation activities.

D. Category 4 permittees pay 100 percent of the basic rate. Permittees in this category include:

1. Individuals, groups, and organizations holding private functions including, without limitation, weddings, wedding receptions, and other similar types of family parties.

2. Nonprofit groups and organizations that have closed memberships such as social clubs, political, religious, and unions.

3. Private school activities.

4. Fundraising events by nonlocal groups or organizations when the proceeds do not benefit local recreation activities.

5. Adult team practices and individual youth team practices not included in the city’s field distribution allocation.

E. Category 5 permittees pay the full basic rate plus 25 percent of gross receipts or a negotiated flat fee. Included in this category are in-city users using parks commercially and for financial gain.

F. Category 6 permittees pay the full basic rate plus 50 percent. This category includes:

1. Any use, recreational or nonrecreational, when more than 50 percent of the participants reside outside the city.

2. Out of city permittees using park facilities for commercial purposes and financial gain will pay full basic rate plus 50 percent plus 25 percent of gross receipts or a negotiated flat fee.

G. Category 7 permittees pay those fees established by city council resolution. This category includes city, county, school district, federal, or state governmental agencies. (Ord. No. 2019-022, § 1, 12-9-19)

A condition of issuing a permit is that the permittee must pay the city additional park use fees equal to the city’s total estimated cost for providing city personnel and/or equipment, if any, that are necessary to monitor an event or otherwise provide city services for, or in connection with, the event. These fees will be determined by the director based on the estimate of the costs to the parks, recreation, and community partnerships department and those of the police chief, fire chief, and/or director of public works, as to the number and hours of employment of city personnel necessary to control the event or otherwise provide city services for or in connection with such event. (Ord. No. 2019-022, § 1, 12-9-19)

A. Notwithstanding Section 20.20.240, from January 1, 2021, through the end of the local emergency proclaimed by the city in response to COVID-19, the director shall waive any basic rate fee required by this chapter for any permit authorizing the use of any city park or aquatic facility for recreational activities for youth ages zero to 18 organized by any permittee who meets the requirements set forward in subsection B of this section.

B. To be eligible to apply for a basic rate fee waiver, the permittee shall:

1. Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or the functional equivalent whose registered business address is located in the city and whose primary purpose is to provide recreational or sports activities for youth.

2. Reduce participant, registration, or similar fees for youth recreational program participants in an amount proportional to the basic rate fee waiver.

3. At the time of submission of a permit application under Article 3 of this chapter, submit a written request for a fee waiver that contains the following:

a. An estimate of the hours the permittee normally reserves parks.

b. The typical participant, registration, or similar fee and the reduced participant, registration, or similar fee anticipated as a result of the basic rate fee waiver.

4. Pay for any additional fees that may be required by the code, including, but not limited to, rental fees for use of park lighting. (Ord. No. 2020-026, § 1, 12-7-20)