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Ojai City directs staff to draft Fourth of July chair-placement policy with two-week window and furniture limits
Summary
The Ojai City Council asked staff to prepare a parade‑chair policy to take effect next year that would permit only folding/camp chairs (no sofas or oversized armchairs), require labeling and ensure ADA access; the direction passed unanimously by roll call.
Ojai City Council on June 16 asked staff to draft a policy for the annual Fourth of July parade that would limit early placement of chairs to a defined window, require identification on chairs, and prohibit oversized furniture that could impede mobility.
Staff described three options: allow chairs no earlier than one week before the parade with labeling and ADA-access protections; create an encroachment/permit process with Caltrans for placement in the public right-of-way; or take no action and leave the informal tradition unchanged. Staff recommended implementing any new policy next year to allow adequate public outreach.
During public comment, Kathy Smith said chairs began appearing June 4 in front of her building and urged the council to pick a single date so residents and businesses compete on an even playing field; she suggested giving businesses priority for the space immediately adjacent to their storefronts. Carol Avalon told the council she supported a short placement window and asked that chairs be labeled next year so owners are not blindsided.
Council members debated one-week versus two-week placement windows and what types of furniture to permit. Several members emphasized the need to preserve safe, ADA‑accessible pedestrian paths. Council member Leslie argued that two weeks better preserves the community tradition for longtime residents who enjoy seeing chairs out in the weeks before the parade; others were open to one week.
By consensus and formal motion, the council directed staff to return with a draft policy that (as discussed) would include a two‑week placement period for folding/camping chairs, explicit ADA access language, a requirement that chairs be labeled with contact information, and clear prohibitions on sofas and oversized armchairs. The motion passed on unanimous roll call. Staff said the policy would take effect next year and staff would run outreach and replace flyer language on existing chairs to notify the public.
Council members said finer details — such as exact labeling fields, the permitted start time (council discussed 12:01 a.m. on the first day of the placement window), and whether to prioritize businesses for adjacent spaces — will be set in the draft and returned for council review.
