Lakewood City Zoning Code
PART 13
Permit - Licenses
§ 9430 Certificate of Occupancy Permit.
To assure compliance with the parking requirements and all other provisions of this Chapter, a Certificate of Occupancy shall be obtained from the Building Department before:
A.
Any new building be initially occupied or used;
B.
Any existing building be altered or a change of type or class of use be made; and
C.
A change of use of any unimproved premises be made.
§ 9431 No Conflicting Licenses or Permits Shall Be Issued.
All departments, officials, or public employees vested with the duty or authority to issue permits or licenses where required by law shall conform to the provisions of this Chapter. No such license or permit for uses, buildings, or purposes where the same would be in conflict with the provisions of this Chapter shall be issued. Any such license or permit, if issued in conflict with the provisions hereof, shall be null and void.
§ 9432 Temporary Special Event Permit.
[Added 3-10-2026 by Ord. No. 2026-2]
A.
Purpose and intent.
1.
Purpose.
(a)
The purpose of a Temporary Special Event Permit (TSEP) is to establish regulations that allow for the safe operation of short-term, temporary, periodic and seasonal events that are planned to attract fifty (50) or more customers/attendees to a) promotional and sales events, b) commercial entertainment and recreation activities, and/or c) cultural and educational exhibits, operated in outdoor spaces and/or vacant tenant spaces.
(b)
The TSEP procedure is intended to increase the regional commercial shopping draw, expand commercial shopping opportunities, and enhance the Lakewood lifestyle. These activities may temporarily deviate from normal zoning requirements and standards, but the TSEP shall ensure that such events are safe, orderly, and are conducted in a manner to protect the general public health, safety, and welfare of Lakewood residents and visitors.
2.
Intent.
(a)
The intent of the Temporary Special Event Permit (TSEP) is to provide regulations for the establishment, operation, removal, and cleanup of temporary special events that do not constitute a land use of sufficient magnitude or longevity to be a permanent land use.
(b)
The TSEP shall manage and regulate impacts resulting from increases in traffic circulation, parking demands, pedestrian control, public safety/security waste collection, sanitation provision, noise attenuation, consumption of food and alcohol, and to safely allow public assembly in both indoor and outdoor spaces for such events. The outdoor location or indoor tenant space is required to be left in the same or better condition as it was prior to the event. This includes post-event cleanup, graffiti removal, revitalization of landscaping, and completion of any necessary repairs.
B.
Review authority.
1.
Temporary Special Event Permits (TSEP) shall be reviewed and then either approved or disapproved by the Community Development Director (Director) or his/her designee. The Director may determine whether the size and scope of an event does or does not require a TSEP for any lot or any activity proposed in the city. In addition, the Director may refer any TSEP application to the Planning and Environment Commission (PEC) for a public hearing, if the Director determines that such a hearing is warranted based upon input from the City Council, other city departments, outside agencies, and/or the community.
2.
An approved TSEP permit shall stipulate the conditions of approval that are required to minimize the impacts of the proposed event or activity.
C.
Procedures.
1.
Permit required. Except as otherwise provided by the Lakewood Municipal Code or state law, no person or entity shall advertise, conduct, maintain, operate, or provide admission for any temporary special event within the City without possessing a valid TSEP for each event. The following types of events and activities are examples of the types of activities which require a TSEP, as well as others to be determined to be the same or similar by the Community Development Director:
(a)
Temporary sales and/or promotional commercial events: parking lot sales, all day/multiple-day grand opening events with sales and activities, radio show promotional broadcast, new product or vehicle demonstration (test drive events), open air dining, a food tasting/sampling, food truck festival, and weekly farmer's market, etc.
(b)
Community non-profit events: a community run or community car shows, etc.
(c)
Seasonal/holiday sales and activities: pumpkin patch with rides, Christmas sales, etc.
(d)
Commercial entertainment/recreational events: Circus, skating/ice skating rink, etc.
(e)
Cultural and educational exhibits: art shows, cultural dance or music recitals, etc.
2.
Exemptions. The following temporary, seasonal, or periodic events are generally exempt from the requirements of obtaining a TSEP, as determined by the Director:
(a)
Any event or activity that anticipates a daily attendance of less than 50 people.
(b)
Any event or activity on a lot in a residential district with a primary residential use.
(c)
Any sites and land uses that have received land use approval (e.g., Conditional Use Permit or Development Review Board approval) to allow such events on a permanent and/or ongoing basis (e.g., an event center).
(d)
Any temporary event held in a city park or community center that are organized and/or sponsored by the city or by a non-profit organization that is authorized by the city through the Recreation and Community Services Department.
3.
TSEP application filing and processing requirements. An application for a TSEP shall be filed through the City's online planning application portal. The applicant shall supply accurate and complete information regarding the proposed location with a fully dimensioned site plan showing all event components and existing structures, event description, anticipated attendance, any extraordinary need for law enforcement, traffic/pedestrian/crowd control, and the level of public and private services required to operate the event safely.
(a)
The Community Development Department (Department) staff shall review and determine if all applicable information has been submitted, and if the application can be deemed complete.
(b)
The Department shall notify and consult with all relevant City, county, state, and federal agencies, including but not limited to the following:
(1)
Lakewood departments:
i.
Public Works (encroachment permit for any required traffic and pedestrian control, storm water drainage, or waste and debris collection/hauling).
ii.
Building and Safety (temporary electrical, plumbing, and structural needs).
iii.
Public Safety (Public Safety Officers, County Sheriff, and County Fire).
iv.
Administrative Services (Business License and Parking Control).
v.
Recreation and Community Services Department (City Parks and Community Centers).
(2)
Los Angeles County departments:
i.
Sheriff (traffic, pedestrian, and crowd control and overall public safety).
ii.
Fire (evacuation routes, fire lanes, suppression plans, paramedic services).
iii.
Public Health (food preparation/handling, public sanitation).
(3)
State of California, Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC licenses, other state agencies as determined to be appropriate).
4.
First time TSEP events. The TSEP applicant shall have the application filed, accepted and deemed complete at least sixty (60) days in advance of an event being held for the first time at a specified location. This is to allow sufficient time to receive all necessary input from other city departments and outside agencies. All estimated review fees and charges shall be deposited, as required for each agency review.
5.
Recurring periodic TSEP events. The TSEP applicant shall have the application filed, accepted, and deemed complete at least forty-five (45) days in advance, if a similar event at the same location has been previously reviewed and approved. This is to allow sufficient time to receive all necessary input from other city departments and outside agencies. All estimated review fees and charges shall be deposited, as required for each agency review.
6.
Insurance and cleanup deposit.
(a)
Each TSEP permit applicant may be required to provide sufficient liability insurance, naming the City as an additional named insured. The insurance shall be sufficient to protect, defend, and indemnify the City, its agents, employees, officers, and volunteers from and against any claim, damage, injury, liability, and loss of any nature arising out of, or in any way connected to, the event. The amount, quality, and type of insurance shall be determined in compliance with the policies established by the Administrative Services Director in coordination with any other agency providing services.
(b)
The Director may require a cleanup deposit to be posted before the special event to ensure that all conditions are met, including the location cleanup, and the restoration of landscape or other damage to private or public amenities. Within sixty (60) days of the end of the event, the event operator shall deposit all unpaid City department fees and charges, and the affected department(s) shall refund any surpluses, as applicable.
7.
TSEP nontransferable. Any TSEP issued in compliance with this code shall not be transferable to any other date, organization, person, place, or time.
8.
TSEP posting. Every permit required by this code shall be conspicuously posted upon the premises of the temporary special event in a manner specified by the Department.
9.
TSEP conditions. The Community Development Director shall take into consideration all relevant information when determining the approval or disapproval and any necessary conditions for a requested TSEP to operate, including the following:
(a)
Insurance: Applicant shall submit, if required, prior to issuance of TSEP.
(b)
Cleanup deposit: Applicant shall submit, if required, prior to issuance of TSEP.
(c)
Conditions of operation: Specify hours of operation, maximum attendance, and sound attenuation requirements. List operational contingencies for inclement weather.
(d)
Event security and medical staffing needs shall be addressed, including any need for Sheriff Deputies, private security, traffic/pedestrian control officers and on-site medical staff. Plan paramedic and ambulance availability and emergency access routing. Identify any on-site lighting, temporary power, and security cameras.
(e)
Provide adequate traffic circulation for both ingress/egress and adequate parking with traffic control officers and pedestrian crossing guards, if needed.
(f)
Fire protection shall be addressed, including the location of fire hydrants, supplemental water sources, evacuation routes, suppression capability and adequacy of fire lanes.
(g)
Noise. Any applicant requests to play or broadcast amplified music or a public address system outside shall be limited to the hours between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
(h)
Maintain sanitation facilities (porta potties) daily and identify any hydration stations. Identify locations of trash cans/bins and waste storage areas. Maintain litter free space.
(i)
Communication requirements. Applicant shall provide event staff adequate phones, radios and a public address system, if needed. Identify any social media releases.
(j)
Food concessions shall have proper Public Health licenses, inspections and clearances. Control of alcoholic beverages shall conform to state law requirements.
(k)
Post event. Site cleanup includes 1) removal of all solid waste, recyclables, organic waste, and litter; 2) removal of graffiti and stickers; 3) repair/revitalize landscape/irrigation; and 4) removal of temporary equipment and structures.
D.
Grounds for suspension or revocation. The Community Development Director (Director), the Sheriff or the Fire Chief or designees may suspend, and the Community Development Director may revoke any TSEP issued in compliance with this code based upon reasonable causes, which may include any one of the following:
1.
Nonpayment of required fees to a city agency or required outside agencies.
2.
Information contained in the application, or supplemental information requested from the applicant, is found to be false in any material detail. TSEP shall not be valid if approval predicated on incomplete, false or misleading information.
3.
Violation of any permit condition.
4.
Violation of any law involving the operation of the event.
5.
Any disorderly conduct or use of dangerous substances caused by the TSEP operation.
E.
TSEP suspension.
1.
The Community Development Director (Director), Los Angeles County Sheriff (Sheriff), or the Los Angeles County Fire Chief (Fire Chief) or designees thereof may summarily suspend the operation of any TSEP, if they find or reasonably suspect that the operation of the event may create an immediate safety hazard or constitute an immediate threat to public health, safety or welfare. If an urgent situation exists an emergency suspension may be executed by the Director or the Los Angeles County Sheriff or designees thereof to be effective immediately.
2.
At the time of suspension, the Director, the Sheriff, Fire Chief or designees thereof shall issue a written notice to the TSEP permit holder stating the grounds for the suspension and notifying the permit holder of the right to have a hearing.
3.
If a written request for hearing is filed with the Director within 15 calendar days after the receipt of the Notice of Suspension, the Director shall provide a Notice of Hearing within five (5) City business days following the receipt of the written request for an administrative hearing.
4.
At the conclusion of the administrative hearing, the Director shall render a decision to either remove or sustain the suspension with a statement of the requirements that must be completed to remove the suspension. The Director may continue the suspension in effect until the Director determines the grounds for suspension no longer exist.
F.
TSEP revocation. An approved TSEP for an event or a periodic series of events may be subject to revocation by Community Development Director (Director) with properly documented justification.
1.
If an urgent situation exists relative to the public health, safety, or welfare for a specific special event, an Emergency TSEP revocation may be executed by the Director to become effective immediately.
2.
The Emergency TSEP revocation shall then be followed with a Notice of Revocation to have a properly noticed TSEP revocation hearing conducted by the Director.
3.
The Director may commence a TSEP revocation hearing by emailing and/or mailing a Notice of Revocation Hearing (Notice) not less than five (5) City business days prior to the scheduled revocation hearing. The Notice shall include the causes for revocation and the date, time, and place of the scheduled Revocation Hearing that will be conducted by the Director or designee as an Administrative Hearing.
4.
At the conclusion of the Revocation Hearing, the Community Development Director shall render a decision to either sustain the revocation or to modify the TSEP approval or to allow it to remain as currently approved.
5.
A revocation hearing may be held concurrently with a suspension hearing.
G.
Violations/remedies. It shall be unlawful for any person to do any of the following and may be the grounds for suspension and/or revocation of the TSEP:
1.
Advertise, conduct, or operate an event or activity without first possessing a valid and unexpired Temporary Special Event Permit (TSEP) for each event.
2.
Distribute, give, or sell admission passes or tickets to any temporary event without first possessing a valid and unexpired TSEP for each event.
3.
Operate any event in a manner that would create a public or private nuisance.
4.
Conduct, exhibit, or show within the place of the authorized event any activity that violates California State law, City ordinance or City regulation.
5.
Allow any person on the site of the authorized event to cause or create a disturbance in, around, or near any authorized TSEP location by offensive or disorderly conduct.
6.
Allow any person to consume, distribute, possess, or sell any alcoholic beverage on the site of an approved TSEP, except as expressly allowed as a condition of the permit and in full compliance with the laws enforced by the State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
7.
Allow any person to consume, distribute, possess, or sell any controlled drug or dangerous substance in, around, or near any place of an approved TSEP.
8.
Broadcast or play any live, recorded, or synthesized music after 10:00 p.m. or before 7:00 a.m. at the site of an approved TSEP, except as expressly authorized in the TSEP.
H.
Unauthorized events. Any temporary or periodic event conducted without the required TSEP or other required permit(s) is subject to closure at any time by any enforcement staff during the event. The promoter, business owner, tenant, and/or landowner may be subject to cost recovery demands by the agencies participating in the closure.
I.
Post-event procedures.
1.
Post-event site conditions. Each site occupied by a short-term activity shall be cleaned of debris, litter, or other evidence of the temporary activity on completion or removal of the activity and shall thereafter be used in compliance with the provisions of this code. A cleanup deposit may be required before initiation of the activity to ensure cleanup after the event is finished.
2.
Expiration. The TSEP automatically expires and is no longer valid following the last day authorized in the TSEP for event operation. An ongoing periodic event TSEP operation (e.g., weekly farmer's market) may not have a specified expiration date but shall be renewed annually.
