City of Isanti, MN Special Events

[HISTORY: Adopted by the City of Isanti 8-5-2009 by Ord. No. 460. Amendments noted where applicable.]

The purpose of this chapter is to govern the time, place, and manner of certain special events on public or private property. This chapter is enacted to ensure that special events do not create disturbances, become nuisances, menace or threaten life, health and property, disrupt traffic or threaten or damage private or public property. The purpose of this chapter is to promote the orderly, compatible and safe use of property for special events and to assure adequate provision of parking, traffic, sanitary facilities, utilities, peace and tranquility of residential neighborhoods and safety services.

§ 278-2 Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

APPLICANT

Any individual, partnership, corporation, association, society, or group seeking and/or receiving a special event permit from the City of Isanti.

PROPERTY, PRIVATE

Any property not under ownership by the City of Isanti or as listed below under the definition of "property, public."

PROPERTY, PUBLIC

Any property owned by the City of Isanti, to include but is not limited to streets, rights-of-way, parks, easements, boulevards, pavilions/shelters, buildings and parking lots.

SPECIAL EVENT

A temporary outdoor use on private or public property that extends beyond the normal uses and standards allowed by the Zoning Ordinance of the City;[1] in which attendance in excess of 75 people is anticipated, and impacts are anticipated on surrounding neighborhoods, businesses, or the community as a whole. "Special events" include, but are not limited to, art shows, car shows, sidewalk sales, haunted houses, carnivals, grand openings, festivals, home exhibitions, parades, circus, block parties, fairs, concerts, street dances, tournaments, or other attended outdoor entertainment or celebration that is to be held on public or private property. A special event shall not apply to the following: a permanent place of worship, stadium, athletic field, arena, theater, or auditorium; family gatherings, including family reunions, graduation parties, baptisms, confirmations, weddings, and other similar types of events held on private property; garage sales/estate sales; and events established through the City of Isanti, such as National Night Out.

[Amended 10-6-2009 by Ord. No. 467]

[1]

Editor's Note: The Zoning Ordinance is on file in the Clerk's office. and posted online.

§ 278-3 Permit required.

No person on or after the effective date of this chapter shall conduct or allow to be conducted any special event as defined within this chapter without first obtaining a special event permit.

§ 278-4 Application for permit.

Any person or organization desiring to sponsor a special event that is not exempted by this chapter must apply to the City for a special event permit. The special event permit application must be submitted not less than 30 days in advance of the date in which the event is to occur.

A written application for a special event permit shall be filed on forms provided by the City Clerk. The written application shall be signed by the person(s) or parties conducting the event and shall be accompanied by the fee, as established by the City Council. Special event applications must include the following information:

(1)

Type and description of the special event and a list of all activities to take place at the event;

(2)

Name of the sponsoring entity, the names of at least two contact persons and their addresses and phone numbers, along with a phone number where they can be reached the day(s) of the event;

(3)

Proposed date(s) of the special event, together with the beginning and ending times for each date;

(4)

Proposed location of the special event, including a diagram of the proposed area to be used showing the location of any barricades, perimeter/security fencing, entertainment, stages, portable toilets, parking areas, trash containers, and any other items related to the event;

(5)

Estimated number of special event staff, participants, and spectators;

(6)

Any public health plans, including supplying water to the site, solid waste collection and the number of toilet facilities that will be available;

(7)

Any plans for first aid facilities and the name of the person or entity providing these services;

(8)

Any fire prevention and emergency medical service plans;

Security plans;

Parking plans;

Cleanup plans;

The admission fee, donation, or other consideration to be charged or requested for admission to the special event, if such event is held on public property;

[Amended 10-6-2009 by Ord. No. 467]

(13)

Whether any sound amplification or public address system will be used or if there will be any playing of music or musical instruments;

(14)

Proof of written notification to all property owners within 350 feet of the location on which a special event is to be held at least 10 days prior to the special event. Such notice shall contain the date, time, and location of the special event; and

(15)

Any other information as requested by the City, that it deems reasonably necessary in order to determine the nature of the special event.

§ 278-5 Permit review process.

The City Council shall review the special event permit application and make a determination on whether to issue or deny the permit request.

Permit conditions. The City Council may condition the issuance of a special event permit by imposing reasonable conditions concerning the time, place and manner of the special event. Such conditions are necessary to protect the safety, health, and welfare of persons and property. Such conditions may include, but are not limited to:

(1)

Alteration of the date(s), time(s), route or location of the special event proposed;

(2)

Elimination of an activity at the special event which cannot be mitigated to a point as to ensure public safety and welfare, or which causes undue liability to the City;

(3)

Requirements concerning the accommodation of pedestrian or vehicular traffic;

(4)

Requirements for the use of traffic cones or barricades;

(5)

Requirements for the use of City personnel and equipment;

(6)

Requirements for the provision of first aid or sanitary facilities;

(7)

Requirements for the use of event monitors and the providing of notice of the special event permit conditions to the event's participants;

(8)

Requirements on the number and type of vehicles, animals or structures to be allowed at the special event and the inspection and approval of structures by the City for safety purposes;

(9)

Compliance with animal protection ordinances and laws;

(10)

Requirements for the use of garbage containers, portable toilets, and the cleanup and restoration of the property;

(11)

Restrictions on the use of amplified sound and compliance with noise ordinances, regulations, and laws; and

(12)

Restrictions on the sale or consumption of food and alcohol.

Permit denial. The City Council may deny an application for a special event permit for any of the following reasons:

(1)

The information contained in the application or supplemental information is false or non-existent in any material detail;

(2)

The applicant fails to supplement the application after having been notified by the City of additional information or documents needed;

(3)

The applicant fails to pay the required fee or fails to sign the application;

(4)

The applicant fails to agree to abide by or comply with all of the conditions and terms of the special event permit;

(5)

The time, route, hours, location, or size of the special event will unnecessarily disrupt the movement of other traffic within the area of the special event;

(6)

The special event is of the size or nature that requires the diversion of too many law enforcement officers to properly police the event, site and contiguous areas so that allowing the special event would unreasonably deny law enforcement protection to the remainder of the City and its residents;

(7)

The proposed special event violates the Zoning Ordinance;

(8)

Another special event permit application has already been approved for the same time and place requested by the applicant or so close in time and place as to cause undue traffic congestion, or the City is unable to meet the needs to provide law enforcement and other City services for both special events;

(9)

The location of the special event would cause undue hardship to adjacent businesses and residents;

(10)

The location of the special event would substantially interfere with any construction or maintenance work scheduled to take place upon or along public property or right-of-way;

(11)

The special event would endanger public safety and health;

(12)

The applicant fails to comply with the insurance requirements;

(13)

The special event would create or constitute a public nuisance; or

(14)

The special event would cause significant damage to public property or facilities.

The City Clerk shall provide written notification of a denial of a special event permit. Any applicant shall have the right to appeal the denial of a special event permit to the City Council. The appeal shall be filed within five days after the receipt of the denial to the City Clerk. The City Council shall act upon the appeal at the next scheduled meeting following the receipt of the notice of appeal.

§ 278-6 Permit issuance.

The City Clerk shall issue the special event permit once the application has been approved by the City Council and the applicant has agreed to comply with the terms and conditions of the permit as well as the requirements of this chapter.

§ 278-7 Indemnification agreement.

If the special event, or any portion of the event is to be held on City property or right-of-way, prior to the issuance of a special event permit, the permit applicant and/or authorizing officer of the sponsoring organization, if any, must sign an agreement to indemnify, defend and hold the City, its officials, employees, and agents harmless from any claim that arises in whole or in part out of the special event, except any claims arising solely out of the negligent acts or omissions of the City, its officials, employees, or agents.

§ 278-8 Insurance requirements.

[Amended 10-6-2009 by Ord. No. 467]

Liability insurance required. The applicant or sponsor of the special event must possess or obtain liability insurance to protect against loss from liability imposed by law for damages on account of bodily injury or property damage arising from the special event. If the event is held on private property, verification of insurance shall be provided to the City Clerk prior to issuance of the special event permit. If the event is held on public property, a certificate of insurance must be filed with the City Clerk prior to issuance of the special event permit. The certificate of insurance must name the City, its official, employees, and agents as an additional insured. Insurance coverage must be maintained for the duration of the special event.

Minimum limits. For events held on public property, insurance coverage must be public liability insurance and property damage insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000.

§ 278-9 Cleanup deposit.

The applicant or sponsor of the special event involving the sale of food or beverages for immediate consumption, erection of structures, horses or other animals or another activity likely to create a substantial need for cleanup may be required by the City Council to provide a cleanup deposit prior to the issuance of the special event permit. The cleanup deposit shall be in an amount set by City Council. The cleanup deposit will be returned to the applicant or sponsor if the area used for the special event has been cleaned and restored to the same condition as it existed prior to the event. If the property used for the event has not been properly cleaned or restored within 24 hours of the event completion, the applicant or sponsor will be billed for the actual cost by the City for the cleanup and restoration. The cleanup deposit will be applied toward payment of the bill.

§ 278-10 Transferability of permit.

No permit granted under this chapter shall be transferred to any other person, group, or place without the consent of the City Council, upon written application made therefor.

§ 278-11 Permit revocation.

[Amended 7-20-2021 by Ord. No. 763]

The permit for a special event may be revoked by the City Council at any time if any of the conditions necessary for the issuing of or contained within the permit are not complied with or if any provisions of this chapter are violated.

§ 278-12 Violations and penalties.

It shall be unlawful for any person or group to sponsor or conduct a special event which requires a permit pursuant to this chapter unless a valid special event permit has been issued for the event.

The special event permit authorizes the applicant or sponsor to conduct only such a special event as is described in the permit, and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the permit. It shall be unlawful for the permittee or sponsor to willfully violate the terms or conditions of the permit.

Any person(s) found in violation of any provision of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be subject to penalties as set forth in Chapter 1, Article I, of this Code of the City of Isanti.

[Amended 7-20-2021 by Ord. No. 763]

§ 278-13 Severability.

If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this chapter is for any reason held to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this chapter. The City Council hereby declares that it would have adopted this chapter and each section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses, or phrases be declared invalid.