Merced council extends temporary moratorium on street‑closure permits to overhaul event permitting

The Merced City Council unanimously approved an urgency ordinance Tuesday extending a temporary moratorium on street‑closure encroachment permits for 10 months and 15 days, giving staff time to craft a single, event‑focused permitting program.

Rhonda Lucas, a member of the staff team presenting the proposal, told the council that the existing administrative policy (Policy A‑25) is outdated and inconsistently applied, creating concerns about public health, safety and claims of arbitrary decision‑making. "Without this extension, the moratorium will expire 06/04/2026," Lucas said, urging the council to adopt the extension so staff can finalize outreach and a new ordinance.

Under the urgency ordinance the city will favor using reservable city‑owned event spaces such as Bob Hart Square, Applegate Park and the moat, and continue allowing limited administrative exceptions for downtown activations. Staff also proposed discouraging routine rental of city parking structures for events to reduce maintenance impacts; the council retained the right to approve uniquely sized or once‑in‑a‑lifetime events.

Downtown business and event organizers supported a measured approach. Gloria Valdovinos of the Downtown Merced Partnership said the staff proposal "preserves opportunities for activations and community connection in Downtown Merced." Some organizers asked that the city continue allowing use of select parking lots or structures with time‑and‑place restrictions; council members asked staff to evaluate differentiated fees and maintenance costs.

The ordinance was introduced as an urgency measure under California Government Code §65858 to secure an immediate extension. The motion to adopt the urgency ordinance passed unanimously.

Staff will continue public outreach and return with a proposed permanent ordinance and the consolidated application and fee structure before the moratorium expires.