Council approves rules and fees for commercial photography on city parks

The City Council approved Ordinance 2,013 on second reading to amend the code outlining permitted commercial uses on city parks and recreational property and later adopted Resolution 2026-07 to implement a registration and background-check fee for photographers working with youth sports.

Staff said the revision simplifies section 58-1.14, clarifies a list of exemptions (including commercial photography, special events and concessions) and establishes that commercial uses may still require council authorization under franchise or contract agreements. Staff also said a staff policy for youth-sports photography would require a parks registration and a background check.

During public comment Gia de Mario asked whether the exemption allows photographers to sell pictures and advertise at city parks and questioned the fairness of a $30 background check for unpaid photographers, noting referees and umpires paid by the city were not subject to the same check. “So does that include that we'll be allowed to sell pictures and advertise, or we can only take pictures?” de Mario asked. She added: “You're doing a background check on a photographer that is never alone with the kids… refrees and umpires that are being paid by the city, and they're not even required to have a background check.”

Councilman expressed support for the policy and fee amounts, calling the $25 registration and $30 background-check fees fair compared with other venues. Council moved and adopted Ordinance 2,013 on second reading and later approved Resolution 2026-07 to amend the comprehensive fee schedule to implement the registration and background-check fees.

The ordinance and resolution now allow staff to operate a registration process for youth-sports photographers; staff said fees are intended to offset administrative costs.