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The Dallas City Code
CITY OF DALLAS, TEXAS CODE OF ORDINANCES
CHARTER of THE CITY OF DALLAS, TEXAS
VOLUME I
VOLUME II
CHAPTER 29 RESERVED
CHAPTER 29A RESERVED
CHAPTER 30 NOISE
CHAPTER 31 OFFENSES - MISCELLANEOUS
CHAPTER 31A OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
CHAPTER 32 PARKS AND WATER RESERVOIRS
CHAPTER 33 ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES
CHAPTER 34 PERSONNEL RULES
CHAPTER 35 RESERVED
CHAPTER 36 POLES AND WIRES
CHAPTER 37 POLICE
CHAPTER 37A POLICE AND FIRE WELFARE FUND
CHAPTER 38 PRIVATE DETECTIVES
CHAPTER 38A PROMOTERS
CHAPTER 39 RAILROADS
CHAPTER 39A RELOCATION ASSISTANCE - EMINENT DOMAIN
CHAPTER 39B REGULATED PROPERTY - PURCHASE AND SALE
CHAPTER 39C RECORDS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
CHAPTER 40 RAT CONTROL
CHAPTER 40A RETIREMENT
CHAPTER 40B SECONDARY METALS RECYCLERS
CHAPTER 41 SMOKING
CHAPTER 41A SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESSES
CHAPTER 42 HOME SOLICITATIONS
CHAPTER 42A SPECIAL EVENTS; NEIGHBORHOOD MARKETS; DALLAS FARMERS MARKET FARMERS MARKET; STREETLIGHT POLE BANNERS
CHAPTER 42B SHORT-TERM RENTALS
CHAPTER 43 STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
CHAPTER 43A SWIMMING POOLS
CHAPTER 44 TAXATION
CHAPTER 45 TEMPORARY INCLEMENT WEATHER SHELTER PROGRAM
CHAPTER 46 UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES RELATING TO SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY AND EXPRESSION
CHAPTER 47 TRAILERS, TRAILER PARKS AND TOURIST CAMPS
CHAPTER 47A TRANSPORTATION FOR HIRE
CHAPTER 48 TREES AND SHRUBS
CHAPTER 48A VEHICLE TOW SERVICE
CHAPTER 48B VACANT BUILDINGS AND LOTS
CHAPTER 48C VEHICLE IMMOBILIZATION SERVICE
CHAPTER 49 WATER AND WASTEWATER
CHAPTER 50 CONSUMER AFFAIRS
Code Comparative Table
VOLUME III
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SEC. 42A-2.   DEFINITIONS.
   In this chapter:
      (1)   AMPLIFIED SOUND means any sound projected or transmitted by artificial means, including but not limited to, loudspeakers, amplifiers, powered megaphones, or similar devices.
      (2)   APPLICANT means a person who has submitted an application for a permit under this chapter. This term includes the person submitting the application, the secondary person listed on the application, and any person or organization that an applicant applies for a permit on behalf of, as well as any third party providing contracted functions to an activity permitted under this chapter, and the owner or property manager of the property or venue where a permitted activity will occur if a lease or contract has been executed, or will be executed, or if the property owner has provided written approval for the proposed permitted activity, and the property owner or manager is providing services to the event.
      (3)   APPLICATION PROCESSING FEE means a non-refundable fee required at the time of application submission.
      (4)   CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT means the area bounded by Woodall Rodgers Freeway on the north, Central Expressway and Julius Schepps Freeway on the east, Interstate Highway 30 on the south, and Interstate Highway 35E on the west.
      (5)   CITY means the city of Dallas, Texas.
      (6)    CITY-SPONSORED ACTIVITY means a temporary outdoor activity that the city council, by resolution, or the city manager, by written notice, has:
         (A)   determined to be directly related to a recognized function of city government;
         (B)   declared the city a cosponsor of the event; and
         (C)   committed the city to significantly sharing in initiating, financing, supporting, and conducting the event.
      (7)   CLEAN ZONE means a geographically defined area surrounding a permitted activity footprint or event host venues, where temporary restrictions are enforced related to temporary advertising, signage, structures, transient merchants, vendors, or otherwise licensed activities.
      (8)   DALLAS FARMERS MARKET means a permanent, indoor and outdoor market on public and private property where produce, merchandise, food, or other products are distributed, offered for sale, or sold and that is:
         (A)   bounded by Marilla Street on the north, northbound Cesar Chavez Boulevard on the east, Interstate Highway 30 on the south, and Harwood Street on the west; and
         (B)   described in and subject to a master agreement with the city adopted on February 27, 2013 by Resolution No. 13-0447 and the operating covenants with the city contained in lease and deed documents authorized on March 27, 2013 by Resolution Nos. 13-0535, 13-0536, 13-0537, 13-0538, and 13-0539, inclusive of future agreements and leases executed between the city and the Dallas Farmers Market and amendments to existing agreements and leases.
      (9)   DIRECTOR means the person designated by the city manager to implement, administer, and enforce this chapter, and includes any designated representative of the director.
      (10)   DISTRICT IDENTIFICATION BANNER means a long-term banner that identifies a geographic location or place of interest with defined perimeters.
      (11)   ESTABLISHED SPECIAL EVENT means an event or activity that:
         (A)   occurs at least once a year;
         (B)   has an average expected attendance exceeding 1,000 for each day of the event or activity;
         (C)   contributes to positive advertising and economic growth of the city; and
         (D)   is open to the public, with or without an entry fee.
      (12)   EXPECTED TOTAL ATTENDANCE means the estimated attendance at a permitted activity as estimated by the applicant on an application. Expected total attendance includes all event staff, vendors, spectators, participants, and attendees.
      (13)   FIRST AMENDMENT ACTIVITY means all expressive personal religious or political beliefs and associative activity on the public right-of-way that is protected by the United States and Texas constitutions, including freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and the right to petition.
      (13.1)   GUIDEBOOK means the Dallas Street Seats Pilot Program Guidebook, published annually by the director on the office of special events website and containing city requirements and regulations for street seats.
      (14)   HIGH IMPACT AREA means an area included on the list published annually in accordance with Section 42A-10.
      (15)   MAJOR CHANGE means any change to an application that requires subsequent public safety or departmental review. Examples include, but are not limited to, route changes, location or venue changes, date changes, changes in expected total attendance, adding alcohol distribution, and changes to complex scenes.
      (16)   MOVING EVENT means an event that is not confined to a fixed location.
      (16.1)   NACTO means the National Association of City Transportation Officials.
      (17)   NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET means a temporary outdoor marketplace, outside of the central business district, on private property, or on city property with approval of the department controlling the property, where produce, merchandise, food, or other products are distributed, offered for sale, or sold directly to consumers by the persons that have raised, grown, made, crafted, processed, or produced the products.
      (18)   PERMIT means an official document authorizing the activation of an approved activity granted by the director as required under this chapter.
      (19)   PERMIT HOLDER means a person issued a permit under this chapter. This term includes the applicant and any person or organization on behalf of which an applicant applies for a permit on behalf of, as well as the owner or manager of property where a permitted activity will occur.
      (20)   PERSON means an individual, firm, partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity.
      (21)   PRELIMINARY LETTER means a document sent by the director to the applicant outlining all requirements that must be met prior to permit issuance.
      (21.1)   PRIVATE STREET SEAT means a street seat that is permitted within the public rights-of-way for use by an establishment with an abutting property interest as an extension of its business capacity.
      (21.2)   PUBLIC STREET SEAT means a street seat that is open to the public and is permitted to a non-abutting person, property owner, or business operator with consent of abutting owners.
      (22)   SPECIAL EVENT means a temporary outdoor gathering, with an expected total attendance greater than 100, which involves one or more of the following on private or public property where otherwise prohibited by ordinance:
         (A)   closing or restricting of a public street lane, alley, or sidewalk;
         (B)   restricting access to public property;
         (C)   sale of merchandise, food, alcohol, or other beverages where otherwise not permitted as a neighborhood market or by an annual Dallas Farmers Market farmers market permit;
         (D)   erection of a tent larger than 399 square feet in area or erection of multiple tents with a cumulative area of over 399 square feet;
         (E)   installation of a temporary stage, bandshell, outdoor projection technology, trailer, van, grandstand, bleachers, or portable toilets for public use;
         (F)   use of city hall plaza;
         (G)   a run, walk, ride, or special event parade;
         (H)   placement of temporary no parking, directional, oversized, or identification signs or banners in connection with an event that are placed in or over a public right-of-way, or on private property where otherwise prohibited by ordinance; or
         (I)   clean zone enforcement.
      (23)   SPECIAL EVENT PARADE means the assembly of 100 or more persons whose gathering is for the common design of traveling or marching in procession from one location to another location for the purpose of advertising, promoting, celebrating, or commemorating a thing, person, date, or event that is not directly related to the expression of feelings and beliefs on current political, religious, or social issues.
      (24)   STREET CLOSURE means any lane or street closure that impacts or disrupts the flow of traffic, unless the closure is intermittent.
      (24.1)    STREET SEATS PROGRAM means the city council approved pilot program using one of the city's pre-approved plans to transition no more than two unobstructed street parking spaces into a small useable area by installing a safe perimeter and a platform that extends the sidewalk into the abutting rights-of-way and is accompanied by amenities like benches, tables, bicycle parking, and planters. All street seats in the pilot program are managed and maintained by the permit holder.
      (25)   STREETLIGHT POLE BANNER means a temporary sign suspended between brackets and attached to utility or streetlight poles in city right-of-way, designed for an approved activity, an historical or commemorative event within the city, or identification of a public improvement district.
      (25.1)   TEMPORARY PARKLET PROGRAM means the program approved by the Dallas City Council in response to the impacts of COVID-19 to permit the activation of adjacent parking spaces or sidewalks for use as additional seating or service areas in an effort to assist local businesses with their economic recovery.
      (26)   TENT means any structure, enclosure, or shelter constructed of fabric or other pliable material supported by any manner except by air or the contents protected by the material.
      (27)   TRAFFIC CONTROL PLAN means a plan designed for the purpose of safely and efficiently managing traffic or arranging for DART detours associated with an activity permitted under this chapter.
      (28)   UNOBSTRUCTED STREET PARKING means a dedicated parking spot without time restrictions. (Ord. Nos. 18702; 19869; 21934; 29016; 31144; 31557; 31708)
SEC. 42A-3.   GENERAL AUTHORITY AND DUTY OF DIRECTOR.
   (a)   The director shall implement, administer, and enforce the provisions of this chapter.
   (b)   The director has authority to issue a permit that authorizes one or more of the activities described in this chapter when requirements of this chapter have been met.
   (c)   The director, police chief, and fire chief may require public safety measures that exceed the minimum standards set forth in this chapter based on specific event risk and threat factors identified by the appropriate city departments.
   (d)   The director may impose additional permit requirements upon the applicant or permit holder for any activity as required in this chapter if the total attendance is expected to exceed the applicant's expected total attendance, if the activity is held in a high impact area, or there will be an impact to residents and businesses.
   (e)   The director may decline or propose alternate dates, times, street closures, venues, or routes, or impose additional requirements upon a permit holder based on public safety or impact on local residents and businesses. (Ord. Nos. 18702; 21934; 29016; 31144)
SEC. 42A-4.   CHAPTER CUMULATIVE.
   (a)   The provisions of this chapter are cumulative of all city ordinances. Except as provided in Subsection (c), all other permits and licenses required by ordinance or other law for specific activities to be conducted in conjunction with or as part of the activities permitted under this chapter must be applied for separately, in accordance with the applicable ordinance or law.
   (b)   Application for a permit under this chapter authorizes appropriate city departments to issue permits for the activities authorized by this chapter with office of special events approval.
   (c)   A license for the use of the public right- of-way required by Article VI of Chapter 43 of this code, and any fees applicable to obtaining the license, is not required for a special event, neighborhood market, or Dallas Farmers Market farmers market conducted in compliance with this chapter and the terms of a valid permit issued under this chapter. (Ord. Nos. 18702; 21934; 29016; 31144)
SEC. 42A-5.   EXEMPTIONS.
   The provisions of this chapter do not apply to:
      (1)   a special event conducted entirely on:
         (A)   property under the control of the park and recreation board;
         (B)   the "convention center" as defined in Section 43-127 of this code; or
         (C)   public property managed by an organization with a lease or operating agreement with the city that details special event permit exemptions.
      (2)   a funeral procession;
      (3)   First Amendment activities, except that a special event permit must be secured for any activity that triggers a special event permit as detailed in Section 42A-2(22) of this chapter that is activated in conjunction with the First Amendment activity. All applicable fees will apply;
      (4)   a neighborhood block party that is conducted on a single block and is expected to have fewer than 200 attendees;
      (5)   escort vehicles;
      (6)   moving a structure in accordance with the Dallas Building Code; or
      (7)   the regular indoor permanent daily operations of the Dallas Farmers Market. (Ord. Nos. 18702; 19869; 21934; 26136; 28046; 29016; 31144)
SEC. 42A-6.   FEES.
   (a)   Special event permit. An applicant for a special event permit shall pay the following application processing fees:
Special Event Application Processing Fees*
Special Event Application Processing Fees*
Base Application Fee Based On Expected Total Attendance
<200
$50
201 - 400
$80
401 - 800
$100
801 - 1000
$150
1,001 - 2,000
$200
2,001 - 4,000
$300
4,001 - 8,000
$400
8,001 - 12,000
$500
12,001 - 20,000
$600
20,001+
$700
In addition, select the applicable street closure fee:
No Street Closure - An event with no street closures.
$0
Static Street Closure Event (Simple) - An event with a set footprint that is limited to one block on residential/neighborhood streets and does not involve the closure of any intersections.
$50
Static Street Closure Event (Moderate) - An event with a set footprint that includes the closure of one to three street blocks or intersections.
$100
Static Street Closure Event (Complex) - An event with a set footprint that includes the closure of four or more street blocks or intersections, or any closure in a high impact area.
$200
Moving Event (Simple) - A moving event that is limited to trails and residential or neighborhood streets.
$75
Moving Event (Moderate) - A moving event on city streets other than residential/neighborhood streets and outside of a high impact area.
$150
Moving Event (Complex) - A moving event of which any part moves through a high impact area.
$300
 
* No application processing fees for a special event that is open to the public and being conducted at the Dallas Farmers Market as produced by the Dallas Farmers Market in compliance with the market's agreements and covenants with the city. An application under the temporary parklet program must pay a one-time base application fee of $50 based on an application with an expected total attendance of less than 200.
   (b)   Neighborhood market. An applicant for a neighborhood market permit shall pay the following application processing fees:
 
NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET ANNUAL APPLICATION PROCESSING FEES
Base Application Fee
$100
Per every 10 vendors
$25
Street Closure Fee - Simple (1 block, no intersections)
$50
 
   (c)   Street seats. An applicant for a street seats permit shall pay the following application processing fees:
 
STREET SEATS PERMIT PROCESSING FEES
Base Application Fee : Phase I Permit (construction approved)
$500
Phase II Permit (occupancy approved)
$500
 
   (d)   Streetlight pole banners. An applicant for a streetlight pole banner shall pay the following application processing fees:
 
STREET POLE BANNER APPLICATION PROCESSING FEES
Base Application Fee
$100
Per Pole Fee
$20
Permitted event - First 5 poles at no charge, additional poles will be invoiced at full price (banners must be related to permitted event).
5 poles at no charge
District Identification Banners - District identification banners do not include short-term event banners designed to promote events, festivals, major sporting events, or tourism programs with specific dates or time periods.
No charge
 
   Streetlight Pole Banners
   (e)   Dallas Farmers Market. An applicant for a Dallas Farmers Market farmers market permit shall pay an annual application processing fee of $400.
   (f)   Additional application processing fees for all permit types.
      (1)   A late application processing fee of $40 per day is required, in addition to the applicable application processing fees required by Subsections (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f) of this section, if the application is filed with the director less than the minimum number calendar days required by Sections 42A-12, 42A-21, 42A-28.2, 42A-29, or 42A-35 before the scheduled activity is to begin. This fee is limited to five days.
      (2)   An application processing fee of $50 per minor change to an application requested by the applicant.
      (3)   An application processing fee of $5,000 for a full or half street closure of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge for a period of 24 hours or less.
      (4)   An application processing fee of $2,000 for a partial lane closure of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge for a period of 24 hours or less.
      (5)   An application processing fee of $500 for a clean zone.
      (6)   An application processing fee of $50 if alcohol will be provided at a permitted activity.
      (7)   An application processing fee of $150 if alcohol will be sold at a permitted activity.
   (g)   Additional city department related fees when applicable.
      (1)   A fee of $1,500 for the required activation of the office of emergency management for a planned permitted activity where the expected attendance is 30,000 or more.
      (2)   A parking meter hooding or removal fee, computed in accordance with Section 28-114.12 of this code, for each parking meter required by the applicant to be hooded or removed for a planned permitted activity.
      (3)   A rental fee for city equipment and property used by the applicant for a planned permitted activity.
      (4)   A fee for the number of Dallas police officers, Dallas fire-rescue officers, or vehicles required by Sections 42A-13 and 42A-14 to provide security, crowd control, and traffic control at a permitted activity.
      (5)   A fee to reimburse the city for direct costs incurred by the city in providing services at a permitted activity; direct costs include, but are not limited to, the reasonable costs of setup, cleanup, public safety, oversight of city facilities and equipment, electrical services, construction, placement and retrieval of city equipment, and other related services beyond what the city would provide to the general public in the ordinary course of its daily operations.
      (6)   Fee for all other required permits and licenses must be paid.
   (h)   Non-profit applicants. The base application fee for all application types will be reduced by 50 percent for a certified 501(c)(3) non-profit applicant.
   (i)   List of charges. A current list of charges for the items, services, and personnel described in Subsections (g)(3), (4), and (5) and in Subsection (k), and for any other items, services, or personnel that may be required under this chapter, must be maintained by the director and published annually to the office of special events website. The chiefs of the police department and fire-rescue department shall provide to the director the current schedule of charges for the personnel and vehicles described in Subsection (g)(5).
   (j)   Security deposit. Not less than 10 days before the date of the planned permitted activity, the applicant shall deposit with the appropriate city department an amount equal to a security deposit for any city equipment or property rented under Subsection (g)(3), to be refunded to the applicant if the equipment or property is returned undamaged to the city.
   (k)   Police and fire-rescue fees. The applicant shall pay any remaining fees owed for all public safety expenses incurred by a special event, neighborhood market, street seats, or Dallas Farmers Market farmers market within 15 business days after receipt of an invoice from the city.
   (l)   Waiver. All or part of the application processing fees required by this section to be paid to the city for a city-sponsored activity may be waived by approval of the city manager or by city council resolution.
   (m)   Fee credit. If an application or permit is cancelled due to an Act of God and the permitted activity is rescheduled for an available date within 60 days from the original event date, any previously paid application processing fees will be credited toward the rescheduled date. (Ord. Nos. 21934; 31144; 31557; 31708)
SEC. 42A-7.   INDEMNIFICATION.
   An applicant for a permit issued under this chapter shall execute an agreement to indemnify the city and its officers and employees against all claims of injury or damage to persons or property, whether public or private, arising out of the permitted activity. (Ord. 31144)
SEC. 42A-8.   APPEAL FROM DENIAL OR REVOCATION OF A PERMIT.
   (a)   If the director denies the issuance of a permit or revokes a permit, after three attempts to contact by phone or email, the director shall send the applicant or permit holder by certified mail, return receipt requested, written notice of the denial or revocation and of the right of appeal. Mailed notice shall be deemed received and effective three days after the date of mailing whether the notice was actually received or not or whether the notice was returned unclaimed or undeliverable.
   (b)   The applicant or permit holder may appeal the decision of the director to the permit and license appeal board in accordance with Section 2-96 of this code. (Ord. 31144)
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