40.240.290    Commercial Events

A.    Commercial events include weddings, receptions, indoor concerts, farm dinners, or events similar in size and activity and must be incidental and subordinate to the primary use on a parcel.

B.    Commercial events may be allowed in the GMA except on lands designated Open Space or Commercial Forest, subject to compliance with the following conditions and the scenic, cultural, natural and recreation resources guidelines:

1.    The use must be in conjunction with an on-site lawful wine or cider sales and tasting room, bed and breakfast inn, or commercial use. If the use is proposed on a property with a building on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, it shall be subject to Section 40.240.310 and not the requirements of this section.

2.    The owner of the subject parcel shall live on the parcel and shall operate and manage the use.

3.    A single commercial event shall host no more than one hundred (100) guests.

4.    The use shall comply with the following parking requirements:

a.    A single commercial event shall include no more than fifty (50) vehicles for guests;

b.    All parking shall occur on the subject parcel;

c.    At least two hundred (200) square feet of parking space shall be required for each vehicle;

d.    Parking areas may be developed using paving blocks, gravel, or other pervious surfaces; asphalt, concrete and other imperious materials shall be prohibited; and

e.    All parking areas shall be fully screened from key viewing areas.

5.    The owner of the subject parcel may conduct eighteen (18) single events up to one (1) day in length per year.

6.    The owner of the subject parcel shall notify the reviewing agency and all owners of land within five hundred (500) feet of the perimeter of the subject parcel of each planned event. The notice shall be in writing and shall be sent at least seven (7) calendar days before an event.

7.    Tents, canopies, portable restrooms and other similar temporary structures necessary for a commercial event may be allowed; provided, that all such structures are erected or placed on the subject parcel no more than two (2) days before the event and removed no more than two (2) days after the event. Alternatively, temporary structures may remain in place for up to ninety (90) days if they are fully screened from key viewing areas.

8.    The use may be allowed upon demonstration that the following conditions exist to protect any nearby agricultural and forest operations:

a.    The use would not force a change in or increase the cost of accepted agricultural practices on surrounding lands.

b.    The use would be set back from any abutting parcel designated Large-Scale or Small-Scale Agriculture, as required in Section 40.240.130 or designated Commercial Forest Land or Large or Small Woodland, as required in Section 40.240.550.

c.    A declaration has been signed by the landowner and recorded into county deeds and records specifying that the owners, successors, heirs and assigns of the subject parcel are aware that adjacent and nearby operators are entitled to carry on accepted agriculture or forest practices on lands designated Large-Scale or Small-Scale Agriculture, Commercial Forest Land or Large or Small Woodland.

d.    All owners of land in areas designated Large-Scale or Small-Scale Agriculture, Commercial Forest Land, or Large or Small Woodland that is within five hundred (500) feet of the perimeter of the subject parcel on which the use is proposed to be located have been notified and given at least ten (10) days to comment prior to an administrative or examiner’s decision.

e.    Counties may impose additional requirements to address potential impacts to surrounding neighbors. For example, they may limit noise, lighting and operating hours.

f.    Land use approvals for commercial events shall not be valid for more than two (2) years. Landowners must reapply for the use after a land use approval expires.

9.    A yearly report shall be submitted to the reviewing agency by January 31st reporting on the events held the previous year. This report shall include the number of events held, how many people were in attendance, and copies of catering contracts or other vendors used to verify.

10.    Permits shall not be renewed if there have been past violations, including failure to file.

(Amended: Ord. 2006-05-04; Ord. 2021-12-02)