HomeMy WebLinkAbout1745 - ORDINANCES - 9/17/2008 ORDINANCE NO. 1745
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS,
CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 5.75 TO THE PALM
SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE, RELATING TO EVENT
HOUSES.
City Attorney Summary
This Ordinance adds Chapter 5.75 to the Palm Springs
Municipal Code to provide regulations applicable to Event
Houses.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 5.75 is hereby added to the Palm Springs Municipal Code to read as
follows:
Chapter 5.75
Event Houses
Sections:
5,75.010 Purpose and Intent
5,75.020 Definitions
5.75.030 Permit Required
5.75.040 Exception
5.75.050 Application for Permit
5.75.060 Application Approval and Conditions
5.75.070 Issuance of Permit.
5.75.075 Operational Requirements and Standard Conditions.
5.75.080. Reimbursement of Costs to the City
5.75,090. Authority to Promulgate Rules and Regulations
5.75.100. Suspension or Revocation of Permit
5.75.110. Appeal
5.75.010 Purpose and Intent.
The City recognizes that there are houses and related residential facilities within the
community that due to their location, design, size, or status as a home that may have been
occupied by a celebrity or other famous person, are desirable for the staging of special
events. The City allows such events to be staged in residential areas of the City so long as
such events do not unreasonably interfere with the public health and safety of the residents
or unreasonably endanger any property within the City.
It is the purpose and intent of this Chapter to provide the means by which such Events may
be reasonably regulated to preserve the public health and safety, provide forthe protection
of property, and to maintain harmonious relations between the community or neighborhood
and those engaged in such activities.
Ordinance No. 1745
Page 2
5.75.020 Definitions.
For purposes of this Chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meaning
respectively ascribed to them by this section!
"Applicant" means the Owner of the Event House.
"City Manager" means that person acting in the capacity of the City Manager of the City of
Palm Springs or the City Manager's designee.
"Event" means an occurrence or social occasion or other activity that involves a gathering
of persons, including without limitation, a reception or party.
"Event House" means one or more residential dwellings, including either a single—family
detached or multiple-family attached unit, or any portion of such a dwelling or the Property,
rented for occupancy for the purpose of staging an Event.
"Event House Permit" means the registration for an Event submitted to the City pursuant to
this Chapter.
"Local Contact Person" means a local property manager, Owner, or agent of the Owner,
who is available twenty-four(24) hours perday, seven (7)days perweekforthe purpose of
responding within forty-five (45) minutes to complaints regarding the condition, operation,
or conduct of occupants of the Event House, or any agent of the Owner authorized by the
Owner to take remedial action and respond to any violation of this Code.
"Owner" means the person(s) or entity(ies) that hold(s) legal and/or equitable title to an
Event House. The term "Owner' includes any lessee of an Owner who has an exclusive
lease of the Event House for a term of at least one calendar month.
"Property" means a residential legal lot of record on which an Event House is located.
"Responsible Person" means an occupant of an Event House who is at least eighteen(18)
years of age and who shall be legally responsible for compliance of all occupants of the
unit and/or their guests with all provisions of this Chapter and/or this Code.
"Remuneration" means any consideration of any kind, including without limitation money,
services, or goods, of any kind or in any amount, but does not include reimbursements for
actual clean-up costs.
Ordinance No. 1745
Page 3
5.75.030 Permit Required.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.75.040, it is unlawful for any person to stage an
Event at any Property unless such person has first been issued an Event House Permit
from the City Manager for such Event.
5.75.040 Exception.
The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to any Event for which the Owner does not
receive any Remuneration for an Event or for the Owner's use of the Owner's Property as
an Event House.
5.75.050 Application for Permit.
(a) Prior to each use of a Property as an Event House, the Applicant shall submit a
complete application to the City Manager on an application form furnished by oracceptable
to the City Manager and signed by the Applicant under penalty of perjury. Each application
shall be filed at least sixty(60) days prior to the proposed Event and contain the following
information:
(1) The name, address, and telephone number of the Owner of the unit forwhich
the permit is to be issued.
(2) The name, address, and telephone number of the agent, if any, of the Owner
of the unit.
(3) The name, address, and 24-hour telephone number of the Local Contact
Person.
(4) The address of the residential Property proposed to be used as an Event
House, a description of the Event, date of the Event, hours of operation
including all pertinent operation descriptions including without limitation the
setup and cleanup, a descriptive list of all activities proposed to be carried on
as part of the Event and the location of such activities, and a list of all
facilities which applicant desires to use in conjunction with the proposed
Event.
(5) Evidence of a valid business license issued by the City for the separate
business of operating an Event House or similar business activity or
submission of a certificate that Owner is exempt or otherwise not covered by
the City's Business Tax Ordinance (Division II, Title 3 of the Palm Springs
Municipal Code) for such activity.
(6) Acknowledgement of receipt and inspection of a copy of all regulations
pertaining to the operation of an Event House.
Ordinance No. 1745
Page 4
(7) The Applicant shall provide conclusive evidence that the Applicant mailed or
delivered written notice of the application to the all property owners shown on
the last equalized county assessment roll and all occupants of each dwelling
unit within three hundred feet of the proposed Event House and to the Office
of Neighborhood Involvement of the City. Such notice shall have been
commenced no more than fifteen (15) days before, and completed no more
than three (3) days prior to, the submission of the application to the City
Manager. The notice shall include:
i. The date, time, hours of operation, and a complete description of all
activities for the Event House as required to be submitted as part of
the Application pursuant to Paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) of this
Subsection (a):
ii. The name and twenty-four (24) hour contact phone number of the
Local Contact Person for the Property; and
iii. Direction that written comments regarding the Event orthe use of the
Property as an Event House may be submitted to the City Manager
within twenty (20) days of the date of the notice.
(8) Such other information as the City Manager deems reasonably necessary
to administer this Chapter.
(b) The application shall be accompanied by a fee established by resolution of the City
Council, provided, however, the fee shall be no greaterthan reasonably necessary to cover
the full cost incurred by the City in administering the provisions of this Chapter.
(c) An application for an Event House Permit may be denied if an Event House Permit
for the same unit and issued to the same Owner has previously been revoked pursuant to
this Chapter or if the City Manager determines that the Applicant failed to provide the
information required in this Section or failed to provide the notice as required in Subsection
(a)(7) of this Section.
(d) All information provided on an application for an Event House Permit shall be
deemed public information and the Owner and/or the Applicant shall consent to the
distribution of all such information in such manner or format as the City Manager may
determine appropriate, including posting on a City sponsored web page.
5.75.060 Application Approval and Conditions.
(a) The City Manager shall review the application and shall circulate the application to
such departments or agencies as the City Manager deems appropriate for
recommendation.
(b) Upon a determination by the City Manager that the activities described in the
application form, as may be reasonably conditioned or otherwise limited, do not pose a
Ordinance No. 1745
Page 5
threat to the public health and safety and reasonably provide for the protection of property,
the application may be approved. The City Manager may impose such conditions to
approval as are necessary or appropriate to make such a determination. If such a
determination cannot be made, the application for an Event House shall be denied.
5.75.070 Issuance of Permit.
(a) The City Manager shall issue an Event House Permit to applicant upon the approval
or conditional approval of the application for an Event House Permit, and after applicant
has:
(1) Procured general liability insurance in the amount of one million dollars
combined single limit naming the City of Palm Springs as co-insured (this
requirement may be waived by the City's risk management officer); and
(2) Executed an agreement to indemnify, defend and save the city harmless
from any and all claims and liability of any kind whatsoever resulting from or
arising out of the issuance of such permit; and
(3) Prepaid such costs as the City Manager reasonably estimates will be
incurred by City for the use of its personnel and facilities, with overpayments
to be reimbursed and underpayments billed for payment to the Applicant
thirty days after the Event-
(b) The permit shall be subject to the conditions of the approved application.
5.75.075 Operational Requirements and Standard Conditions.
(a) The Owner shall use reasonably prudent business practices to ensure that the
Event House complies with all applicable codes regarding Fire, Building and Safety, Health
and Safety, and all other relevant laws.
(b) The Owner or his or her agent, and/or the Local Contact Person designated by the
Owner shall be available at the Event House during all activities related to the set up and
break down of the Event and at all times during the Event for the purpose of responding
promptly to complaints regarding the condition, operation, or conduct of occupants of the
Event House.
(c) The Owner shall use reasonably prudent business practices to ensure that the
occupants and/or guests of the Event House do not create unreasonable noise or
disturbances, engage in disorderly conduct, or violate provisions of the Municipal Code or
any State Law.
Ordinance No. 1745
Page 6
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 11.74.043, any radio receiver, musical
instrument, phonograph, loudspeaker, sound amplifier, or any machine or device for the
producing or reproducing of any sound shall be conducted within an enclosed Event
House-
(e) Prior to each Event, the Owner or the Owner's agent or representative shall obtain
the name, address, and driver's license number of the Responsible Person and shall
require such Responsible Person to execute a formal acknowledgement that he or she is
legally responsible for compliance of all occupants of the Event House or their guests with
all provisions of this Chapter and/or the Municipal Code. This information shall be readily
available upon request of any officer of the City responsible for the enforcement of this
Chapter.
(f) The Owner, or his or her agent, shall, upon notification that the occupants and/or
guests of the Event House have created unreasonable noise or disturbances, engaged in
disorderly conduct, or committed violations of provisions of the Municipal Code or any
State Law, shall promptly respond in a timely and appropriate manner to prevent a
recurrence of such conduct by those occupants or guests. Failure of the Owner or his or
her agent to respond to calls or complaints regarding the condition, operation, or conduct
of occupants of the Event House in a timely and appropriate manner, shall be grounds for
imposition of penalties as set forth in this Chapter.
(g) Trash and refuse shall not be left stored within public view, except in proper
containers for the purpose of collection by the collectors and between the hours of five a.m.
and eight p.m. on scheduled trash collection days. The Owner of the Event House shall
use reasonably prudent business practices to ensure compliance with all the provisions of
Chapter 6.04 of the Municipal Code (waste disposal and diversion).
(h) The Owner of the Event House shall post a copy of the permit and a copy of the
conditions set forth in this section in a conspicuous place within the Event House.
(i) The Owner shall provide each responsible person of an Event House with the
following information priorto occupancy ofthe Event House and/or post such information in
a conspicuous place within the Event House:
(1) The name of the managing agency, agent, rental manager, local contact
person, or Owner of the unit, and a telephone number at which that party
may be reached on a 24-hour basis.
(2) The maximum number of occupants permitted to occupythe Property during
the Event.
(3) The trash pick-up day and applicable rules and regulations pertaining to
leaving or storing trash or refuse on the exterior of the Property.
Ordinance No 1745
Page 7
(4) Notification that the amplification of music outside of the Event House unit is
a violation of this Chapter.
(5) Notification that the occupant may be cited or fined by the City and/or
immediately evicted by the Owner pursuant to State law, in addition to any
other remedies available at law, for creating a disturbance or for violating
other provisions of this Chapter.
(6) Notification that failure to conform to the occupancy requirements of the
Event House is a violation of this Chapter.
Q) The use of an Event House shall not violate any applicable conditions, covenants, or
other restrictions on real property.
(k) The City Manager shall have the authority to impose additional standard conditions,
applicable to all Event House units, as necessary,to achieve the objectives of this Chapter.
A list of all such additional standard conditions shall be maintained and on file in the Office
of the City Clerk and such offices as the City Manager designates.
(1) The standard conditions may be modified by the City Manager upon request of the
Owner or his or her agent based on site-specific circumstances forthe purpose of allowing
reasonable accommodation of an Event House. All requests must be in writing and shall
identify how the strict application of the standard conditions creates an unreasonable
hardship to a Property such that, if the requirement is not modified, reasonable use of the
Property for an Event House would not be allowed. Any hardships identified must relate to
physical constraints to the subject site and shall not be self-induced or economic. Any
modifications of to the standard conditions shall not further exacerbate an already existing
problem.
5.75.080. Reimbursement of Costs to the City.
The applicant shall reimburse the City for all costs incurred by the City which result from
the issuance of the permit and/or the activities authorized therein, including without
limitation any costs for public safety services.
5.75.090. Authority to Promulgate Rules and Regulations.
The City Manager is authorized to promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary
to realize the purpose and intent of this Chapter and which are not inconsistent therewith.
5.25,100 Violations.
(a) Any person who uses, or allows the use of, Property in violation of the provisions in
this Chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor for each day in which such Property is used, or
allowed to be used, in violation of this Chapter. Violations are punishable pursuant to
Ordinance No. 1745
Page 8
Section 1.01.140 and 1.01.150 and the administrative citation provisions of Chapter 1.06 of
the Municipal Code, except that the fine for any violation shall be$500.00 for each violation
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 1.06, any pre-citation or courtesy notice
issued for violations specified in this Section may provide fora reasonable compliance date
or time of less than fifteen (15) calendar days but at least thirty(30) minutes from the date
or the time the pre-citation notice is given if, due to the nature of the violation, a shorter
compliance period is necessary or appropriate, as determined in the reasonable judgment
of the City official issuing the notice-
(c) If the Applicant violates any of the conditions of approval, performs those activities
described in the application for an Event House permit in a manner that poses a threat to
the public health and safety, endangers the preservation of property, engages in activities
outside the scope of the activities described in the application, or fails to timely reimburse
the City for costs incurred as provided in Section 5.75.090, the City Manager may
summarily deny, suspend, or revoke any current or pending Event House permit.
(d) The remedies provided for in this Section are in addition to, and not in lieu of, all
other legal remedies, criminal or civil, which may be pursued by the City to address any
violation of this Code or other public nuisance.
5.75.110. Appeal.
Any person aggrieved by an action taken by the City Manager may appeal such action
pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 2.50 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code.
SECTION 2. If any provision, clause, sentence, or paragraph of this Ordinance, or the
application thereof to any person or circumstances, shall be held invalid, such invalidity
shall not affect the other provisions of this Ordinance which can be given effect without the
invalid provision or application, and, to this end, the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby
declared to be severable.
SECTION 3. The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall certify to the passage and
adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause the same, or the summary thereof, to be
published and posted pursuant to the provisions of law and this Ordinance shall take effect
thirty (30) days after passage.
Ordinance No. 1745
Page 9
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED THIS 17th DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2008.
STEPFLN P. POUGNET, NfAYOR
ATTEST:
AMES THOMPSON, CITY CLERK
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS )
I, JAMES THOMPSON, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, California, do hereby certify
that Ordinance No. 1745 is a full, true and correct copy, and was introduced at a regular
meeting of the Palm Springs City Council on the 30th day of July, 2008, reintroduced on the
3`d day of September, 2008, and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held on
the 17th day of September, 2008 by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember Hutcheson, Councilmember Mills, Councilmember
Weigel, Mayor Pro Tern Foat and Mayor Pougnet.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
a es Thompson, City Clerk _
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