(A) Special event permit required. No person shall engage in, participate in, aid, form or start any special event unless a special event permit has been obtained from the City Manager. However, this section shall not apply to:
(2) A governmental agency acting within the scope of its functions;
(3) Funeral processions;
(4) Individual or individuals lawfully assembled for the purpose of exercising their rights protected under the First Amendments of the United States and Kentucky Constitutions;
(5) Golf tournaments hosted at a designated golf course or related golf course facility (unless the event requires services or support from a city department);
(6) Picket lines which do not interfere with the normal flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic, including emergency vehicles; or
(7) A spontaneous event conducted in a manner that does not unduly disrupt or inconvenience the public in the use of property involved, provided that the organizer of a spontaneous event is encouraged to give as much advance notice as reasonably possible to permit the city to provide services and/or equipment necessary for the spontaneous event.
(B) Special event categories; fees. The following special event categories and fees shall apply, except that the fee for any event sponsored by the city may be waived:
(1) Low impact. No physical activity by participants and no severe exposure to risk of harm to spectators, such as, but not limited to, indoor and outdoor meetings, neighborhood picnics, small theatrical performers, auctions and social gatherings. Crowd size of event: less than 1,000 persons. Fee: $25.
(2) Medium impact. Limited physical activity by participants and no severe exposure to risk of harm to spectators, such as but not limited to, dances, animal shows, petting zoo, rallies, flea markets and family-type musical gatherings. Crowd size of event: 1,000 to 2,500 persons. Fee: $50.
(3) High impact. Major participation by participants and/or moderate to severe exposure to risk of harm to spectators, such as but not limited to, team or individual sporting events, (non-professional) circuses, carnivals with rides, running road races or similar events. Crowd size of event: more than 2,500 to 5,000 persons. Fee: $75.
(4) Special impact. Events such as but not limited to Maifest, Oktoberfest, Mardi Gras, concerts, professional or collegiate sporting events, rodeos, vehicle races, firework displays. Crowd size of event: more than 5,000 persons. Fee: $100.
(5) Block party permit. A block party is a neighborhood gathering confined to a block or a portion of a street where no alcohol is allowed, served or consumed on public property. Event coordinator or sponsor shall indemnify and hold city harmless as indicated in § 93.33(L)(3) of this chapter for any loss or damage associated with the block party event. Crowd size of event: less than 200 persons. Fee: $25.
(6) Covington Plaza permit. Notwithstanding the above-listed categories, any proposed event that will take place within all or a portion of the city-owned area and associated amenities known as "Covington Plaza" will require a permit and prior approval by the City Manager. Fee: $500 single day event or $1,000 per multiday event not exceeding four days, exclusive of setup and breakdown.
(C) Alcohol involved. In any event where alcoholic beverages are allowed or served, that event shall be considered a “special impact” event.
(1984 Code, § 93.31) (Ord. O-82-81, passed 10-20-1981; Ord. O-40-07, passed 9-11-2007; Ord. O-06-19, passed 3-12-2019; Ord. O-08-21, passed 5-11-2021)