San Fernando council approves streamlined special-event permit process and pilot at BCRC

San Fernando’s City Council voted to approve new administrative guidelines that create a two-tier special-event permit system and consolidate multiple forms into a single application, staff said.

Julio Salcedo, the city’s director of recreation, told the council the goal is to “simplify the process and clarify the guidelines” by distinguishing minor special events (small, low-impact gatherings processed in 14–30 business days) from regular special events (those with measurable impacts that will undergo a 30–60 day review). Salcedo said minor events would typically be four hours or less, require no street closures or encroachment permits, and would not include alcohol or food sales that generate broader permitting needs.

The guidelines call for a single point of entry to handle encroachment and amplified-sound permits and for Spanish-language translations of application materials. Staff recommended piloting intake at the Business and Community Resource Center (BCRC) so applicants can get in-person help submitting complete applications; staff said BCRC staff will be trained to route and review applications but will not complete forms on applicants’ behalf.

Council members asked for clarity on occupancy limits and site-plan requirements. Councilmember Patty Lopez said she worried new businesses might be unsure how to comply; Salcedo responded that the minor-event classification is based on operation and impact rather than a strict attendance cap, but the guidelines can be updated to include an occupancy limit if council directs it. Mayor Joe Fajardo asked whether setup and teardown time count toward the four-hour threshold; staff responded that the four-hour window applies only to the event time listed on promotional materials, not to setup or teardown.

Staff also clarified the fee structure: special-event fees are tied to how far in advance an application is submitted (lower fees for earlier submissions), rather than to the number of days an event runs. Staff recommended returning to council with modifications after a pilot period of about six months.

Councilmember Lopez moved to approve the guidelines and the consolidated application and authorized the city manager to implement the administrative procedures; the motion was seconded and carried with no objections. The council asked staff to prepare educational materials and example site-plan templates to reduce confusion for applicants.

The pilot and consolidated application are expected to be implemented at the BCRC with continued monitoring and a follow-up report to council once staff have tested the process.