Yucca Valley City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 9

38 TEMPORARY SPECIAL EVENTS

9.38.010: PURPOSE:

This chapter provides development standards for temporary special events to ensure that basic health, safety, and community welfare standards are met, while approving suitable temporary special events with the minimum necessary conditions or limitations consistent with the temporary nature of the activity. A temporary special event permit allows short term activities that might not meet the normal development or use standards of the applicable zoning district, but may be considered acceptable because of their temporary nature. These activities are regulated to avoid incompatibility between the proposed activity and surrounding areas. (Ord. 254, 12-16-2014)

9.38.020: DURATION AND FREQUENCY:

A. Permitted Events: Temporary special events shall be permitted with a temporary special event permit as specified in the table below which indicates each temporary special event permitted, the zones in which the use is allowed, the maximum number of days each use is allowed and the maximum number of occurrences in each calendar year:

TABLE 3-24(A)

SPECIAL EVENTS

Permitted Special Event (With A Special Event Permit)	Land Use District Permitted	Maximum Number of Days Per Event	Maximum Number of Events Per Calendar Year Per Location And/Or Vendor
Farmers’markets	All C, I, and public/ quasi- public land use districts, all land use districts in Old Town Specific Plan area	2 days per week	Permit is valid for 1 year - no more than 2 farmers’ markets may occur on the same day(s) within the town
Church tent revival meetings	All land use districts	10	3
Circus, carnival	All C, I, and public/ quasi- public land use districts, all land use districts in Old Town Specific Plan area	10	4
Fair, concerts, parades, exhibits, car shows, street fairs or similar events	All C, I, and public/ quasi- public land use districts, all land use districts in Old Town Specific Plan area	10	10
Parking lot sales	All C, I, and public/quasi-public land use districts, all land use districts in Old Town Specific Plan area, and institutional sites in all land use districts	2	2
Seasonal holiday sales facilities	Nonresidential districts	See subsection D of this section	3

TABLE 3-24(B)

SPECIAL EVENTS IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS

Class Type	Description	Permit Required	Review Authority	Minimum Parcel Size	Maximum Number of Guests Per Event	Maximum Number of Events Per Year
Class I	Minor special events including health and wellness events, yoga, meditation, culinary or music instruction, art or writing workshops, or any similar activities. (No Notice Required)	Class I Special Event Permit (TSTVR exempt within permitted occupancy limits)	Staff	0.50 acre	20	50
Class II	Minor special events including weddings, parties or similar events when attendance is between 21 and 50 people, excluding serving staff, officiant, etc.	Class II Special Event Permit	Staff	1 acre	50	39
Class III	Major special events including weddings, parties or similar events when attendance is between 51 and 100 people, excluding serving staff, officiant, etc.	Class III Special Event Permit	Planning Commissi on	5 acre	100	26
Class IV	Major special events including weddings, parties or similar events but taking place at non- residential structure, and where attendance is up to 100 people, excluding serving staff, officiant, etc.	Class IV Conditional Use Permit	Planning Commissi on	1 acre	100	39

B. Interpretation: Where uncertainty exists regarding the interpretation of any provision of this chapter or its application to a specific special event which may not be listed, the director shall determine the intent of the provision and/or determine whether the proposed event is consistent with the provisions of this chapter.

C. Multiple Events: Multiple temporary special events may be combined into a single permit, however certified farmers' markets shall comply with the California code of regulations, section 1392 and obtain all required permits from the town.

D. Seasonal Holiday Sales Facilities: Seasonal holiday sales activities (e.g., Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, etc.) including temporary residence/security trailers, on nonresidential properties, for up to forty five (45) days.

1. Date Of Opening: A Christmas tree sales facility shall not be open for business during any calendar day before Thanksgiving. Other holiday sales facilities shall not be open more than thirty (30) days before the holiday.

2. Additional Permits: The applicant shall secure an electrical permit if the facility is to be energized and the proper permits from the building division for any temporary structure or shelter.

3. Fire Prevention: Each Christmas tree/holiday sales facility shall comply with fire prevention standards as approved and enforced by the fire chief, including any burning or open fires or flocking or painting.

4. Maintenance: Seasonal holiday sales facilities shall be kept clean and free of debris at all times during use of the property.

5. Merchandise: A seasonal holiday sales facility shall not engage in the sale of any merchandise not directly associated with the holiday identified by the applicant as the basis for the seasonal holiday facility.

6. Off Street Parking: The director shall approve all public access.

7. Removal Of Facility: The seasonal holiday facility shall be removed within fourteen (14) days after Christmas or other holiday.

E. Standards for Temporary Single-Family Special Events:

1. A Temporary Single-Family Special Event is defined as follows: a wedding ceremony/reception, birthday, quinceañera, baby shower, bridal shower, bar mitzvah/bat mitzvah, anniversary, bachelor/bachelorette party, celebration of life, graduation celebration, or any other similar event where fees are charged to participants, attendees, guests, hosts, or operators, either directly or indirectly, such as the collection of donations. Temporary Single-Family Special Events shall not include the following: concert, rave, sporting event, or any other event which the Planning Commission deems to be inconsistent with this code.

2. Temporary special events are allowed in the following zoning districts: R-S, RL, and R-HR.

3. Class I and Class II events are subject to a 3-day maximum time limit, with a minimum of 4 days between events. Class III and Class IV are subject to a 2-day maximum time limit, with a minimum of 5 days between events.

4. A legally established single-family residential dwelling unit is eligible to obtain a Class I, Class II, or Class III Temporary Special Event Permit. No other types of structures or uses are eligible to obtain a Class I, Class II, or Class III Temporary Special Event Permit.

5. A Class I, Class II, or Class III Temporary Single-Family Special Event permit is valid for a maximum of three (3) years.

6. Multi-family residential structure(s) are not eligible for a Temporary Special Event Permit.

7. Properties that are 10 acres or greater in size may exceed the maximum number of guests per event by up to 50 guests (not including employees or staff), at the discretion of the Planning Commission.

8. One (1) standard-size parking stall is required for every two (2) guests, and one (1) parking stall is required for each employee or staff member. Parking stall size and parking lot design shall comply with the standards provided in Chapter 9.33 , Parking and Loading Regulations, of the Town’s Development Code, including required parking spaces for people with physical disabilities. Parking shall be allowed on-site only.

9. All Temporary Single-Family Special Events shall comply with Chapter 9.34 , Performance Standards, of the Town’s Development Code.

10. Amplified sound or music shall be conducted within an enclosed permitted structure. No outdoor amplified sound or music shall be allowed, except in the case of amplified sound for the purpose of public address. Sound levels, including public address, shall not exceed those provided in Chapter 9.34.080 of the Town’s Development Code.

11. Health Department approval shall be required for all events providing food, regardless of who is providing the food.

12. Any event with temporary structures shall require County Fire Department Approval.

13. Temporary Single-Family Special Events shall comply with all County Fire Department standards and regulations, including but not limited to restrictions on fireworks and bonfires.

14. Sheriff’s Department approval may be required for those events as determined necessary by the Director or Planning Commission.

15. Temporary Single-Family Special Events which may exceed the standards presented in Table 3-24 (B) may be approved subject to the review and approval of a conditional use permit by the Planning Commission.

16. Class I Temporary Single-Family Special Events do not require public noticing.

17. Class II Temporary Single-Family Special Events require a notice to all surrounding property owners within a 300' radius.

18. Class III Temporary Single-Family Special Events require public hearing noticing pursuant to Town of Yucca Valley Development Code, Chapter 9.85 Public Notices and Hearings.

19. Class IV - (Conditional Use Permit) require public hearing noticing pursuant to Town of Yucca Valley Development Code, Chapter 9.85 Public Notices and Hearings.

20. Permits issued under this chapter are subject to revocation procedures established in Town of Yucca Valley Development Code, Chapter 9.85 Permit Revocations, and are also subject to enforcement procedures authorized within the Town of Yucca Valley Municipal Code and Town of Yucca Valley Development Code. (Ord. 254, 12-16-2014; Ord. 310, 2-6-2024; Ord. 326, 2-4-2025)

9.38.030: PERMIT REQUIRED:

Except as otherwise provided by the town of Yucca Valley or state law, no person or entity shall operate, maintain, conduct, advertise, or provide admission for any temporary special event within the town of Yucca Valley without possessing an unexpired, unsuspended and unrevoked permit from the planning division for each such temporary special event.

To ensure cleanup and restoration of the site, an applicant may be required to post a deposit at the time the application is submitted. Upon the completion of the event and inspection of the site by the town, the deposit may be returned to the applicant if the cleanup and restoration of the site has been determined by the town to be sufficient. (Ord. 254, 12-16-2014)

9.38.040: STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS:

A. Change Of Date: Upon the request of the applicant, the issuing authority shall have the power, upon a showing of good cause, to change the date for which the permit has been issued provided established limitations are complied with in respect to time and location. (Ord. 254, 12-16-2014)

9.38.050: REQUESTS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES AT SPECIAL EVENTS:

Any person or entity required to obtain a permit in accordance with the provisions of this chapter may request law enforcement services to preserve the peace at special events. Such application shall be made to the sheriff's department and shall be in writing, stating the name and address of the applicant, the place where the special event is to be held, the estimated number of persons to be present and the purpose of the special event. Upon receipt of said application, the sheriff's department shall determine whether law enforcement services are necessary to preserve the peace, and if the sheriff's department so determines, and if the services will not reduce the normal and regular ongoing service that the town would otherwise provide, the sheriff's department shall contract with the applicant to provide the services at an amount to include all costs to the town of Yucca Valley. (Ord. 254, 12-16-2014)

9.38.060: TEMPORARY SPECIAL EVENT AMENDMENT:

Refer to chapter 9.83, "Permit Amendments", of this title. (Ord. 254, 12-16-2014)

9.38.070: TEMPORARY SPECIAL EVENT REVOCATION:

Refer to chapter 9.84, "Permit Revocations", of this title. (Ord. 254, 12-16-2014)