The guide serves as a comprehensive policy and planning document for hosting special events on City property, in parks, on public streets, and within public rights-of-way. It outlines how the City reviews, approves, supports, manages, bills, and evaluates special events, with an emphasis on public safety, economic development, tourism, accessibility, sustainability, and minimizing impacts to downtown businesses and public spaces.
Key sections include:
Special Event Criteria & Approval Process
The guide defines what qualifies as a special event, including events that use public property, require liability insurance, involve alcohol, food or merchandise sales, need City services, expect large crowds, require road closures, or impact public parking. New events and recurring events with major changes must go through a review process before City Council approval.
Application Requirements
Event organizers must submit an application, fee, site plan, event timeline, inclement weather plan, insurance documentation, and any supporting permits. Returning events still need to apply annually.
Event Venues
The guide details approved venues such as Airport Festival Grounds, Centennial Park, West Blalock Park, Legacy Park, and Maxine Barritt Park, including allowed event types, amenities, restrictions, and space fees. It also identifies non-reservable locations, including certain downtown thoroughfares, Venice Beach, Heritage Park, and the Venice Fishing Pier.
Fees & City Services
Venice outlines costs for application fees, tent permits, public space use, police and fire/EMS support, trash and recycling, barricades, and special event equipment. It also includes subsidy information for qualifying nonprofit and heritage events.
Rules, Regulations & Standards
The guide includes a detailed code of conduct, prohibited activities, accessibility expectations, insurance requirements, noise rules, traffic control standards, barricade requirements, signage rules, waste management requirements, and public safety expectations.
Sample & Downloadable Documents
The document provides examples such as traffic plans, barricade plans, site plans, event proposals, and final invoices, along with references to downloadable applications, permits, maps, and agreements.
Overall, it is a strong example of a local government special events resource because it combines policy, process, expectations, fees, venue guidance, safety standards, and sample documents in one centralized guide.
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