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The City may grant special use permits to individuals and groups who wish to reserve a park area for a designated period of time or for a special use. Based on type of event, number of participants, or other unusual conditions, a special use permit may be required. The special use permit allows the City to gather information regarding the special use and outlines conditions to ensure the park and other park visitors will not be negatively impacted.

Factors to be considered and evaluated in granting or denying an application for a special use permit shall include: the type of event or use, time of facility use, other competing uses and their compatibility, insurance and indemnification, police and fire concerns, parking, number of expected participants and size limitations, methods to ensure that all alcohol will remain in approved areas, and any other factors that warrant consideration based on the event and/or activity involved or local, county or state laws and permit regulations.

The City will charge a fee for special use permits. Where appropriate, additional fees and special conditions of use will be established by the City and so noted on the special use permit. The City is authorized to develop a schedule of fees for such permits, which allow the City to offset impacts caused by the use and/or recover its costs in connection with the use. The schedule of fees shall be posted.

Depending on the type and nature of use, and the number of participants involved, the City Manager or designee may require the posting of a refundable deposit, in a reasonable amount, to ensure compliance with the requirements of this section of the code. The City Manager or designee is authorized to determine and identify criteria to be used in administering the requirement for posting such deposit.

The City may grant special use permits to meet or conduct activities in City parks without charge, provided the activities are exclusively for youth 18 years of age or under; and provided, that all of the following conditions are satisfied: the buildings or facilities are not otherwise required by the City; the activities are conducted in accordance with the City’s standards; held without admission charge; not conducted for fundraising or other financial gain; open to the general public without discrimination; not exclusively planned for one group; and scheduled during hours when the facility is regularly open. The City may discount fees based on programs for youth which provide scholarships to low-income participants or charge additional fees or require special conditions to offset impacts caused by the use and/or recover its costs in connection with the use.

No alcoholic beverages are allowed at any park facilities or on any park property, other than as provided in LMC 8.76.165, or its successor provision(s).

Selling, possessing or consuming alcoholic beverages in a City park, recreation area, or associated marine area is prohibited, other than in connection with an event or activity for which a special use permit or rental contract has been issued; provided, that the activities and the use of alcoholic beverages shall conform to the permits therefor, and shall conform to federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations with respect thereto.

Facilities cannot be reserved more than one year (12 calendar months) prior to an event. Fees may be adjusted prior to an event as fee schedules are typically adopted in January of each year. [Ord. 658 § 1, 2017; Ord. 579 § 3, 2014; Ord. 420 § 1, 2006; Ord. 247 § 1, 2000; Ord. 126 § 1, 1997.]