Ventura Municipal Code Art. 3 Permit Application

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

1. Sixty days prior to the date of such event to ensure administrative review and city council appeal;

2. Twenty business days prior to the date of such event, 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 prior to 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 their 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 receive actual notice does not invalidate the permit. (Ord. No. 2019-022, § 1, 12-9-19)

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

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

2. Two business days before the date of such event 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 such event upon good cause shown. Applications will not be accepted less than 24 hours before an event.

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. Such notice will provide detailed facts and reasons for any denial or conditional approval.

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

C. The director must receive applicant’s acceptance of the approval or conditional approval at least 24 hours prior to the event. Failure to accept the director’s decision or to timely file an administrative review request will be deemed a withdrawal of the application. (Ord. No. 2019-022, § 1, 12-9-19)

Permit applications will be in a form prescribed by the director and, for all events, 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 event 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 event;

D. The name, mailing address, and daytime and evening telephone number of an alternate person to contact if an emergency arises and the applicant is unavailable;

E. The nature of the event;

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

G. The proposed location of the event, including its boundaries and activity locations;

H. The estimated number of participants in the event;

I. Unless the use is prohibited by this code, the type and estimated number of vehicles, animals, and/or structures that will be used in the event;

J. A description of any sound amplification equipment to be employed at the event;

K. The number, size, and material of construction of any signs or banners to be used in the event;

L. The event’s parking requirements;

M. The location of any water, first aid, or comfort stations to be provided at the event;

N. 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;

O. Whether alcohol will be served at the event; and

P. The type of entertainment. (Ord. No. 2019-022, § 1, 12-9-19)

In addition to the information required under this chapter, applications for all permits authorizing an event will include such supplemental information which the director may find reasonably necessary, given the nature of the event, in order to determine whether to approve or deny a permit. (Ord. No. 2019-022, § 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. The reviewing officers may include, without limitation:

1. The fire chief;

2. The police chief;

3. The public works director; and/or

4. The director of parks, recreation, and community partnerships.

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 event, a pre-event 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 should complete their review prior to when the director must make a decision on the application. (Ord. No. 2019-022, § 1, 12-9-19)

A. The director will issue a permit if:

1. The application was 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 in writing.

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. 2019-022, § 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 event’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, animals, and/or vehicles at the event prevents public safety and/or emergency services from reaching areas at or contiguous to the event;

F. The size of the event will overextend public safety and/or emergency services to the extent that the safety of event 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 event will substantially interfere with previously scheduled construction or maintenance work at the event site;

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

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

J. The nature or size of the event threatens to cause significant damage to a park or park property, including, without limitation, landscaping or natural vegetation; provided, however, that nothing herein authorizes a permit denial because of threatened damage to a park or park property caused by the actions of persons not conducting such event. (Ord. No. 2019-022, § 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 the director will issue a permit in accordance with this chapter. (Ord. No. 2019-022, § 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. 2019-022, § 1, 12-9-19)