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Port Hueneme council directs staff to draft park‑use code changes on bounce houses, barbecues, capacity and enforcement
Summary
After reports of crowded holiday weekends and some users refusing to vacate reserved spaces, the council asked staff to return with code language to clarify enforcement, permit requirements for inflatable vendors, allowances for propane barbecues in specified locations, capacity limits and self‑service restroom options.
The City Council on April 6 directed staff to draft municipal code amendments to clarify park reservation rules and enforcement after staff described several recurring problems in high‑use parks. Issues include groups refusing to vacate reserved picnic areas, inflatable bounce houses ("Jolly Jumpers") appearing without permits, unauthorized installations attached to park infrastructure, and a lack of restroom access for some permit holders.
Recreation manager Anna Hanley told the council that staff recommends allowing inflatable bounce houses only with a city‑issued permit and use of pre‑approved vendors that meet insurance and operational standards. "Bounce houses are allowed subject to city‑issued permit and use of preapproved vendor," Hanley said. The staff memo also proposes allowing personal propane barbecues in parks with distance limits from vegetation while restricting other open‑coal cooking to designated receptacles.
Staff proposed a short list of practical changes: a new code section making it a violation to refuse to vacate a space that has been validly reserved by another party; a vendor‑qualification process and insurance requirements for inflatables; a picnic‑area capacity guideline (50 guests for standard reservable picnic areas) with larger gatherings routed to the special‑use permit process; and an optional enhanced service fee for staff to perform pre‑ and post‑event cleaning and restroom unlocking. Staff estimated that providing enhanced cleaning would increase a standard three‑hour picnic permit by about $100 (resident) or roughly $200 if adjacent restroom staffing were included.
Council members emphasized the day‑to‑day reality of park use: several members described holiday weekends with multiple family groups arriving with their own barbecues, tables and recreational equipment and stressed they did not want to criminalize ordinary family gatherings. Council direction to staff was to draft clear, enforceable code language that balances access, safety and the city’s maintenance burden; staff was asked to explore self‑service verification (photo checks) and keypad/coded restroom access to reduce staffing costs while meeting permit conditions.
Next steps: Staff will draft ordinance language and a fee schedule and return to council for formal action. The council requested that staff include enforcement priority guidance and a public education plan so visitors know which activities require permits, vendor approval, or additional insurance.
