Friendswood P&Z reviews draft rules for temporary outdoor uses; commissioners back six short‑term permits per year

The Friendswood City Planning & Zoning Commission on Feb. 13 reviewed a staff redraft of rules governing temporary outdoor uses — previously called outdoor sales permits and special events — and provided detailed guidance to staff for the next ordinance draft.

City planner Aubrey summarized the objectives: simplify and clarify the code, replace the current “outdoor sales” and “special events” categories with a single “temporary outdoor uses” section, and create two permit types: a 30‑day permit intended for seasonal sales (for example, pumpkin patches, Christmas tree lots and florist tents) and a short‑term 4‑day permit for festivals, art shows, grand openings and similar activities. “The idea is to change the wording and just do it's temporary outdoor uses, and you have a 30 day permit option or you have a 4 day permit option,” Aubrey said.

Major guidance from the commission and staff discussion:

- Frequency and duration: Commissioners agreed the 30‑day permits should remain limited and not be used for recurring long‑term operations; they removed a proposed required 30‑day separation window between permits. For the short 4‑day permits, commissioners recommended increasing the draft cap from four per calendar year to six per calendar year to allow more flexibility for retailers and property owners while limiting the potential for effectively permanent temporary uses.

- Food trucks and farmer’s markets: The commission supported allowing food trucks for 4‑day temporary uses and confirmed farmers markets may include food trucks. Food trucks, however, remain regulated by Galveston County Health District and must meet health‑district licensing. Aubrey noted that food trucks must be licensed and inspected by the county at events.

- Application timing and review: Staff proposed and the commission kept a submittal requirement of a complete application at least 30 days before the start date, with a minimum decision threshold of seven business days before an event to allow applicants time to address comments.

- Safety, traffic and public‑service requirements: Commissioners asked staff to keep a flexible approach to requiring peace officers, traffic control plans, and janitorial/cleanup plans. Parks staff uses a threshold of 75 attendees or alcohol service to require a peace officer; off‑duty officers are paid through the police department (officer hourly rate cited at $81). The commission recommended staff retain the ability to request officers, traffic control plans or other safety measures based on the event’s scale and impact (for example, off‑site parking, shuttles or projected attendance spikes).

- Insurance, fire and code compliance: Staff proposed that applicants provide proof of event liability insurance and comply with applicable building and fire codes; commissioners supported referencing Chapter 31 of the International Fire Code for tents, generators and other fire‑safety requirements rather than listing every technical item in the code.

- Signs and advertising: Staff proposed an exception to the city’s ban on “bandit” signs to allow temporary advertising for permitted temporary outdoor uses on the property where the activity will take place: one banner up to 32 square feet or up to six small stake signs (staff revised a draft from 4 sq. ft. to 2 sq. ft. for the small signs based on typical 12x18 inch sizes). Commissioners asked staff to allow a limited number of directional signs on adjacent properties when the event applicant provides written authorization from the off‑site property owner; staff will draft clear limits to avoid proliferation.

- Nonprofit/charitable events: The commission asked staff to require permits for charitable and nonprofit events but to waive permit fees for qualifying charitable uses.

Aubrey and commissioners said they will refine language, consolidate application checklists on the city’s permit portal, and prepare the ordinance for a future public hearing and recommendation to city council. No final ordinance was adopted at the meeting; the discussion produced direction for staff drafting, including the tentative decision to support six short‑term permits per year for a given property.