This article establishes a permit process and standards for the development and operation of special event venues. These provisions are necessary to reduce impacts to surrounding properties so that special event facilities do not result in incompatible land use.

(Ord. of 11-8-2021, § 1(Exh. A))

Special event venue. A special event venue is a place of public assembly used for commercial events. Special event venues are subject to a use agreement between a private group or individual and the venue owner. The venue owner may or may not charge a fee for the use of the venue. Venues may operate entirely within a structure, outside of a structure, or both inside and outside a structure.

(Ord. of 11-8-2021, § 1(Exh. A))

Special event venues are permitted in the following districts: AG (Agriculture), O&I (Office Institutional), C-2 (General Commercial), DTMU (Downtown Mixed Use), M-1 (Light Industrial), and M-2 (Heavy Industrial). This section does not apply to the special event permit process provided in section 80-179.

(a)

Special event venues can be a principal or accessory use. Special event venues in an agricultural district that are accessory to the site's principal use shall not substantially change the character of the primary use of the property.

(Ord. of 11-8-2021, § 1(Exh. A); Ord. No. 2025-09, § 1, 8-11-2025)

All special event venues as described under this article require the approval of a special event venue permit by the planning and zoning director or his/her designee.

(a)

The special event permit application shall include a site plan, description of all uses, an exhibit map showing the location and distance of the venue to the closest surrounding sensitive receptors such as single-family residences and other housing types, management plan, traffic plan and must comply with all applicable special event facility standards set forth in this article.

(b)

Event management plan. Owner/operator shall maintain an event management plan that includes, but is not limited to, a site plan, arrangements for emergency (fire, police, medical) services, arrangements for waste disposal services, name and contact information for the property owner and the event operator, and other information as may be required by the planning and zoning staff to ensure events are operated safely and with minimal impact on nearby property owners and uses. A copy of the event management plan shall be provided to the planning and zoning office and must always be available for an on-site inspection.

(c)

Traffic plan. The special event permit application shall include a traffic management plan. The traffic management plan shall include the following requirements and standards:

(1)

A traffic control plan to ensure an orderly and safe arrival, parking, and departure of all vehicles and to ensure that traffic will not back up or block easements, city roads, intersections, or private driveways. All ingress/egress and parking areas shall be located in such a manner to minimize traffic hazards associated with entering and exiting the public roadway.

(2)

The location of all temporary directional signs on driveways entrance and within parking lots to ensure orderly flow of traffic. Temporary directional signs shall be placed prior to the event and removed at least three hours at the conclusion of the event. Signs should not be placed in the right-of-way.

(3)

Adequate ingress and egress shall be provided for all emergency vehicles to the satisfaction of the Fairburn Fire and Police Department [article II, section 56-26, temporary and emergency parking restrictions]. Temporary or emergency parking restrictions may be established and posted by order of the city engineer, fire chief, or police chief. Violations of such restrictions shall be subject to the enforcement and impoundment provisions of section 56-25, impounding of vehicles.

(Ord. of 11-8-2021, § 1(Exh. A); Ord. No. 2025-09, § 1, 8-11-2025)

Special event venues shall follow the operation and development standards at all times:

(a)

Noise control and waste management. Noise standards shall be regulated in accordance with article XI, noise. For evaluating conformance with the standards of this section, noise levels shall be measured in accordance with article XI, noise. Venue operators shall be required to submit a waste management plan detailing trash collection, disposal methods, and post-event cleanup procedures. This plan must be approved as part of the venue's overall event management plan. Additionally, on-site trash enclosures shall be provided and maintained to contain all waste generated during events and to prevent litter or debris from affecting surrounding properties.

(b)

Setbacks. The following setbacks shall be maintained at all times:

(1)

If an adjoining parcel has a residence, then all structures or activities associated with the special event shall be located at least 75 feet from the property line that adjoins a residence, except in the Downtown Mixed Use Zoning District.

(2)

All temporary structures such as tents, stages, and dance floors shall abide by all setbacks, and their use must be identified in the management plan.

(c)

Traffic and parking requirements. On-site parking shall be provided accordance with section 80-337, off-street parking requirements (the larger of one space for each four seats, one space for each 25 square feet of floor area available for chairs in the largest assembly room, or one space for every 150 square feet of gross floor area). Parking shall also comply with article IX, off-street parking, loading and landscape requirement, sections 80-326 to 80-364. The event venue shall not cause undue traffic congestion or accident potential given anticipated attendance and the design of adjacent streets, intersections and traffic controls.

(d)

Music/entertainment. Music or entertainment shall not be the primary purpose of the special event and always shall be secondary and customary to the primary purpose of the special event. For example, music and dancing may be secondary to a wedding reception, but a concert, play, or stage performance is not permitted.

(e)

Lighting. All lighting shall comply with the following requirements:

(1)

All outdoor lighting associated with the special event shall be turned off within two hours after the special event ends.

(2)

Outdoor lighting shall be located, shielded, and directed such that no direct light falls outside the property line or into the public right-of-way.

(3)

City staff may require modifications for properties near residential developments.

(f)

Signage. All signs shall conform to the requirements in article XII, sign regulations.

(g)

Neighborhood notification. Special event facilities shall post a schedule of future events to their website, or an annual/seasonal schedule of future events shall be mailed to all neighbors within 1,200 feet at least two weeks prior to the beginning of the event year or season. The schedule shall show days planned for events, hours of operation, and include a phone number for inquiries.

(h)

Structures. Structures shall meet fire code standards and shall be inspected by the fire marshall and building inspector prior to occupancy.

(i)

Alcoholic beverages. The consumption of alcoholic beverages on premises is subject to section 8-21, permitted locations for private functions at which alcoholic beverages are served; sales prohibited.

(j)

Venue concentration limitations. To prevent an overconcentration of special event venues within a confined geographic area, especially in the Downtown Mixed Use (DTMU) District, the planning and zoning director shall consider the location and proximity of existing permitted venues when reviewing new applications. No more than two special event venues shall be approved within a 600-foot radius of one another in the Downtown Mixed Use (DTMU) Zoning District.

(Ord. of 11-8-2021, § 1(Exh. A); Ord. No. 2025-09, § 1, 8-11-2025)

The permit for a special event venue may be revoked or can be subject to approval with conditions. The City of Fairburn Police Department, city administrator or designee, may suspend or revoke a permit, occupational tax license or issue citations if event staff or participants violate other city ordinances, general guidelines, terms, or conditions specified in the application, and including, but not limited to, traffic rules and regulations, disturbing the peace, public nuisance, failure to disperse, or other health and safety regulations.

(Ord. of 11-8-2021, § 1(Exh. A); Ord. No. 2025-09, § 1, 8-11-2025)

(a)

It shall be unlawful to operate a special event venue without a valid special event venue permit or in violation of the conditions set forth in the approved permit or in this article.

(b)

Penalties for violations shall be as follows:

(1)

First offense: a fine of up to $500.00;

(2)

Second offense: a fine of up to $1,000.00;

(3)

Third or subsequent offense: a fine of up to $2,000.00 and potential suspension or revocation of the special event venue permit.

(c)

Each day a violation continues shall constitute a separate offense and may be cited and penalized accordingly.

(d)

Prior to the imposition of any fine or permit suspension, the venue operator shall be given written notice of the violation and a reasonable opportunity to correct the issue, except in cases where the violation creates an immediate risk to public health, safety, or welfare.

(e)

Any venue found to be operating without a valid permit or in violation of spacing limits set forth in subsection 80-499(b) may be subject to immediate enforcement action, including temporary suspension of operations.

(f)

All fines shall be imposed in accordance with chapter 1, section 1-12 of this Code, and may be appealed in writing to the city administrator within ten days of notice.

(Ord. No. 2025-09, § 1, 8-11-2025)