Orange County Fire Rescue Department

Assistant Chief Dan Kucik

Block Party Ordinance Discussion

February 13, 2007

2

• Block Parties & Public Assemblies • Current Practices for Block Parties• Neighboring Jurisdictions’ Practices • Proposed Requirements• OCHAA Feedback• Options

Block Party Ordinance Discussion

3

• Block Parties & Public Assemblies• Current Practices for Block Parties• Neighboring Jurisdictions’ Practices• Proposed Requirements• OCHAA Feedback• Options

Block Party Ordinance Discussion

4

Block Parties & Public Assemblies

• “Block parties” - gatherings of less than 100 people for neighborhood social event taking place in public or private residential street.

• “Public assemblies” - gatherings of 100 or more people for parades, races, walks, rallies, protests, or other large-scale events taking place in public park, public right-of-way, or public road.

5

• Block Parties & Public Assemblies • Current Practices for Block Parties• Neighboring Jurisdictions’ Practices• Proposed Requirements• OCHAA Feedback• Options

Block Party Ordinance Discussion

6

Current Practices

• Citizens contact staff and request information on permitting and requirements for block parties.

• Currently, no requirements exist for block parties in unincorporated Orange County.

• Citizens hold block parties that obstruct roadways, without prior approval of Fire Rescue, OCSO or Traffic Engineering.

7

Block Party Ordinance Discussion

• Block Parties & Public Assemblies • Current Practices for Block Parties• Neighboring Jurisdictions’ Practices• Proposed Requirements• OCHAA Feedback• Options

8

Neighboring Jurisdictions’ Practices

• Most neighboring jurisdictions require some type of permit or approval for block parties.

• Some jurisdictions assist citizens with traffic barricades or cones for roadway closures.

9

• Block Parties & Public Assemblies • Current Practices for Block Parties• Neighboring Jurisdictions’ Practices• Proposed Requirements• OCHAA Feedback• Options

Block Party Ordinance Discussion

10

Proposed Requirements

• Permit application would be required at least 14 days before block party.

• Block party would take place only in single-family residential area.

• Permit application would have to be approved by majority of homeowners on street where block party proposed.

• Block party would not be open to general public.

11

Proposed Requirements

• Clear access for emergency vehicles would be maintained.

• Alcoholic beverages would not be permitted.

• Sound amplification equipment or devices would be permitted, subject to compliance with Noise Ordinance.

• Block party would begin no earlier than 10:00 a.m. and end no later than 10:00 p.m.

• Application fee of $25 would be required

12

• Block Parties & Public Assemblies • Current Practices for Block Parties• Neighboring Jurisdictions’ Practices• Proposed Requirements• OCHAA Feedback• Options

Block Party Ordinance Discussion

13

Orange County Homeowners Association Alliance Feedback

• OCHAA is opposed to proposed block party ordinance.

• OCHAA would prefer to implement an educational process.

• OCHAA does not want to monitor permitting process through its homeowner associations.

14

Block Party Ordinance Discussion

• Block Parties & Public Assemblies • Current Practices for Block Parties• Neighboring Jurisdictions’ Practices• Proposed Requirements• OCHAA Feedback• Options

15

Options

• Present draft block party ordinance to Board of County Commissioners for adoption at public hearing.

• Terminate drafting of block party ordinance, and develop educational process in lieu of adopting block party ordinance.

Orange County Fire Rescue Department

Block Party Ordinance Discussion

February 13, 2007