Leon Valley tightens rules for large park events, adds permitting, security and fines

The City Council on May 20 approved amendments to the Leon Valley parks code that define “special event,” require a formal permit and approvals from the park commission and city council for large uses of municipal parks, and impose fines and cost recovery when events violate rules.

Parks staff described a recent incident in which multiple independent facility reservations produced an effective full‑park occupation without the required event approvals; the event produced heavy parking on neighborhood streets and required police response. Park staff said organizers had used staggered facility reservations to work around the rules.

The amended ordinance requires applicants to provide a special‑event application with logistics, security plans and police and fire review. Violations carry a civil penalty not to exceed $500 per offense and the ordinance allows city recovery of actual costs incurred to manage or respond to the event. Staff noted existing fees for pavilion rental and cleanup remain in place; the fine is in addition to those fees.

Councilors debated whether the $500 cap sufficiently covers city costs for police or fire responses, and staff explained other codes (fire, parking, refuse) can create additional fines or enforcement actions where appropriate. Council members said the change is intended to protect regular park users while preserving access for permitted events.

Councilor Roscoe moved to approve the ordinance amendment and Councilor Marsh seconded. The council approved the ordinance on second reading; staff will integrate the special‑event permit into the park rental process and publish the updated fee schedule.