Chapter 10.15
SPECIAL EVENTS, PARADES AND ASSEMBLIES

Sections:

10.15.010    Definitions.

10.15.020    Exemptions.

10.15.030    Permit required.

10.15.040    Permit applications.

10.15.050    Permit fees.

10.15.060    Standards for permit issuance.

10.15.070    Notice of permit denial.

10.15.080    Alternative permit.

10.15.090    Prerequisites for receiving permit.

10.15.100    Contents of permit.

10.15.110    Revocation of permit.

10.15.120    Compliance with laws and regulations.

10.15.123    Additional rules for block parties.

10.15.130    Penalty.

10.15.010 Definitions.

When used in this chapter, the following words, terms, and phrases have the meaning ascribed to them in this section.

“Parade or special event” means ceremonial formations, processions, or events containing one or more persons and/or vehicles, utilizing public property in the town of Highland, which seek public safety resources to facilitate safe passage/security of those involved in the event. Such events include but are not limited to: parades, marathons, fireworks, rallies, bicycling events, organized events, organized fundraisers (for profit and not-for-profit organizations), and block parties, etc. [Ord. 1515 § 1, 2012. Code 2000 § 71.25].

10.15.020 Exemptions.

This chapter shall not apply to:

(A) Funeral processions;

(B) Students going to and from school classes or participating in educational activities, provided such conduct is under the immediate direction and supervision of the proper school authorities;

(C) A governmental agency acting within the scope of its functions. [Ord. 1515 § 1, 2012. Code 2000 § 71.26].

10.15.030 Permit required.

No person shall engage in, participate in, aid, form or start any parade/special event, without a parade/special event permit issued by the chief of police. [Ord. 1702 § 1, 2019].

10.15.040 Permit applications.

(A) Applications must be submitted to the chief of police not less than 45 days and not more than 60 days before the special event. Applications must be submitted to the Highland police department Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except on holidays.

(B) The application shall contain all information relevant and necessary to determine whether a particular permit may be issued, including, but not limited to:

(1) The name, address and telephone number of the person seeking to conduct such parade/special event;

(2) If the parade/special event is proposed to be conducted for, on behalf of, or by an organization, the name, address and telephone number of the headquarters of the organization, and of the authorized and responsible heads of such organization;

(3) The name, address and telephone number of the person who will be the parade/special event chairman and who will be responsible for its conduct;

(4) The date when the parade/special event is to be conducted;

(5) The route to be traveled, the starting point and the termination point;

(6) The approximate number of persons who, and animals and vehicles which, will constitute such parade/special event; the type of animals, and description of the vehicles;

(7) The hours when such parade/special event will start and terminate;

(8) A statement as to whether the parade/special event will occupy all or only a portion of the width of the streets proposed to be traveled;

(9) The location by streets of any assembly areas for such parade/special event;

(10) The time at which units of the parade/special event will begin to assemble at any such assembly area or areas;

(11) The interval of space to be maintained between units of such parade/special event;

(12) If the parade/special event is designed to be held by, and on behalf of or for, any person other than the applicant, the applicant for such permit shall file with the chief of police a communication in writing from the person proposing to hold the parade/special event authorizing the applicant to apply for the permit on his behalf;

(13) Any additional information which the chief of police shall find reasonably necessary to a fair determination as to whether a permit should be issued.

(C) The chief of police, where good cause is shown, shall have the authority to consider any application hereunder which is filed less than 45 days before the date such parade/special event is proposed to be conducted. [Ord. 1515 § 1, 2012. Code 2000 § 71.28].

10.15.050 Permit fees.

Parade/special event fees are for the purpose of offsetting the cost of additional personnel the chief of police determines are necessary due to the conduct of the parade. Parade/special event fees will be calculated and paid under the following conditions:

(A) Standard nonrefundable permit fee of $250.00.

(B) If the parade/special event requires additional personnel such as a combination of sworn officers, civilian and VIPs, staff will be scheduled accordingly and the costs of additional personnel shall be calculated as follows:

(1) For each sworn officer assigned, a fee of $25.00 per hour per officer will be charged. Time will be rounded to the nearest half-hour.

(2) For each volunteer in police services member assigned, a fee of $20.00 per hour per member will be charged. Time will be rounded to the nearest half-hour.

(3) For each civilian employee assigned, a fee of $15.00 per hour per employee will be charged. Time will be rounded to the nearest half-hour.

(C) The permit fee must be paid in full at the time an application is granted and is nonrefundable.

(D) The chief of police may waive a fee should the event not impose a detriment on the police department, i.e., requires only minimal staffing for a short period of time (less than 30 minutes) and the event sponsor does not collect a fee from participants. He shall issue a permit, indicating that the fee is waived.

(E) Fees will be deposited in the special public safety fund, as described and authorized in HMC 9.20.010 through 9.20.050, for use according to provisions establishing that fund.

(F) Block parties require a permit under this chapter. However, the permit fee is waived. [Ord. 1515 § 1, 2012; Ord. 1702 § 2, 2019. Code 2000 § 71.29].

10.15.060 Standards for permit issuance.

The chief of police shall issue a parade permit when, from a consideration of the application and from such other information as may otherwise be obtained, he finds that:

(A) The conduct of the parade/special event will not substantially interrupt the sane and orderly movement of other traffic contiguous to its route;

(B) The conduct of the parade/special event will not require the diversion of so great a number of police officers to properly police the line of movement and the areas contiguous thereto as to prevent normal police protection to this town;

(C) The conduct of such parade/special event will not require the diversion of so great a number of ambulances as to prevent normal ambulance service to portions of this town other than that to be occupied by the proposed line of march and areas contiguous thereto;

(D) The concentration of persons, animals and vehicles at assembly points of the parade/special event will not unduly interfere with proper fire and police protection, or of ambulance service, to areas contiguous to such assembly areas;

(E) The conduct of such parade/special event will not interfere with the movement of firefighting equipment en route to a fire;

(F) The conduct of the parade/special event is not reasonably likely to cause injury to persons or property, to provoke disorderly conduct or create a disturbance;

(G) The parade/special event is scheduled to move from its point of origin to its point of termination expeditiously and without unreasonable delays en route;

(H) The parade/special event is not to be held for the sole purpose of advertising any product, cause, goods or events and is not designed to be held purely for private profit. [Ord. 1515 § 1, 2012. Code 2000 § 71.30].

10.15.070 Notice of permit denial.

Application will be approved or denied within 10 days of receipt. Notice shall be sent to applicant’s address by regular mail. [Ord. 1515 § 1, 2012. Code 2000 § 71.31].

10.15.080 Alternative permit.

(A) The chief of police, in denying an application for a parade/special event permit, is authorized to approve and permit the conduct of the parade/special event on a date, at a time, at a place or over a route different from that named by the applicant.

(B) An applicant desiring to accept an alternate permit shall, within five days after notice of the action of the chief of police, file a written notice of acceptance with the chief of police.

(C) An alternate parade/special event permit shall conform to the requirements of, and shall have the effect of, a parade/special event permit under this chapter. [Ord. 1515 § 1, 2012. Code 2000 § 71.32].

10.15.090 Prerequisites for receiving permit.

(A) If an application is approved by the chief of police, prior to receiving a permit, the applicant shall provide proof of financial responsibility and execute an indemnification agreement releasing the town from any liability associated with the parade/special event.

(B) Applicants will also be required to name the town as an additional insured on its insurance policy for the duration of the parade/special event. This section applies to all permit holders, whether or not a permit fee is charged. [Ord. 1515 § 1, 2012. Code 2000 § 71.33].

10.15.100 Contents of permit.

Each parade/special event permit shall state the following information:

(A) Starting time;

(B) Minimum speed;

(C) Maximum speed;

(D) Maximum interval of space to be maintained between the units of the parade/special event;

(E) The portions of the streets to be traversed that may be occupied by the parade/special event;

(F) The maximum length of the parade/special event in miles or fractions thereof;

(G) Such other information as the chief of police shall find necessary to the enforcement of this chapter. [Ord. 1515 § 1, 2012. Code 2000 § 71.34].

10.15.110 Revocation of permit.

The chief of police shall have the authority, after a hearing affording due process, to revoke a parade/special event permit issued hereunder upon application of the standards for issuance as set forth in this chapter. [Ord. 1515 § 1, 2012. Code 2000 § 71.35].

10.15.120 Compliance with laws and regulations.

(A) A person holding a parade/special event permit shall comply with all permit directions and conditions and with all applicable laws and ordinances.

(B) During the parade/special event, all moving gasoline and/or diesel-powered vehicles must be equipped with an operational fire extinguisher on board at all times.

(C) If a parade/special event hosts an event involving physical activity by participants, including, but not limited to, running, walking, or a bike race, the applicant shall provide a minimum of one first responder to assist in medical emergencies.

(D) At any time before or during the parade/special event it is determined either a violation of this permit is identified or the parade/special event is dangerous, police personnel have immediate authority to discontinue the event. [Ord. 1515 § 1, 2012. Code 2000 § 71.36].

10.15.123 Additional rules for block parties.

(A) The signature of a majority of residents in the vicinity of the block party, specifying their support (or absence of objection) for the block party, must be submitted to the chief’s office, on a form that the chief shall prescribe, no later than one week prior to the block party. The prescribed form shall include the date and time of the party, the location, and the name(s), address(es) and phone number(s) of the person(s) in charge.

(B) All block parties must conclude by 10:30 p.m.

(C) No alcoholic beverages will be served to minors.

(D) Some roadways, due to logistics, may not qualify to be closed. The police chief shall be authorized to determine which roadways are affected.

(E) A parade/special event permit for a block party may be canceled at any time.

(F) The permit holder as the sponsoring party is responsible for cleanup the same day of the event. Cleanup including the removal of barricades must be completed the same day as the event.

(G) Ingress and egress must be provided for emergency vehicles and persons living on the block involved. This means tables/chairs and pop-up tent canopies should be placed nearer the curb line (not blocking driveways or thoroughfare). No structures (i.e., bouncy house, water slide, etc.) will be set up in the street; thus allowing emergency vehicles easy access. (The minimum height is 15 feet and width is 20 feet for emergency vehicles.)

(H) A permit must be obtained from the office of the clerk-treasurer allowing amplified music, whether by live performers, disk jockey controlled recorded music or by other means during the event as related to the noise ordinance in Chapter 9.70 HMC, if applicable.

(I) The permit holder may rent picnic tables through the parks department, if needed. It is the responsibility of the permit holder or holders to contact the parks department for any rental of tables.

(J) If the permit holder requests or requires barricades for the block party, the police chief will work cooperatively with the public works director to cause delivery of the barricades to the address of the permit holder on the day before the date of party.

(K) The permit holder will be responsible for erecting and removing the barricades, which will be picked up from the address of the permit holder the first business day after the party.

(L) The police chief shall cause a version of these block party rules to be provided to the permit holder, and require the signature of the permit holder affirming their receipt. [Ord. 1702 § 3, 2019].

10.15.130 Penalty.

(A) Any person who violates any provision of this chapter for which no penalty is otherwise provided shall be subject to the penalty provided in HMC 10.05.140.

(B) Any person who violates or fails to comply with HMC 10.15.120 and 10.15.123, or any part thereof, shall be punished by a fine of $250.00 per violation. Each violation of this section shall constitute a separate offense. [Ord. 1515 § 1, 2012; Ord. 1702 § 4, 2019. Code 2000 § 71.37].