[UPDATED] Feedback Requested for Proposed Event Ordinance

Post last updated April 1, 2026

I have proposed a new ordinance to help make sure public events in Cave Spring are safe, well-organized and enjoyable for everyone. The ordinance is designed to:

• ensure public safety.
• manage traffic, parking and sanitation.
• protect city property and avoid unnecessary disruption.
• provide a fair and clear process for event organizers.

Based on feedback and additional research, I have updated the original version of the event ordinance as follows:

• Replaced attendance threshold with operational impact criteria.
• Changed the bathroom facilities requirement from 1 toilet per 75 persons for events lasting more than four hours to being based on state and federal criteria, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Specified permanent restroom facilities inside the event area count toward required facilities if they are open and compliant.
• Clarified that security personnel required will be based on police department review with decisions based on specified factors.
• Updated the vendor requirement to emphasize responsibility for compliance with all applicable laws is that of the vendor. Event permit issuance does not constitute approval of vendor operations.
• Expanded the emergency access lane requirement to include designating these lanes within the submitted safety plan and obtaining approval from the police and fire departments.
• Extended the application deadline to 60 days (from 30 days) before the proposed event date.

On April 1, 2026, council made additional changes including:

• Applications will be submitted to the City Manager's office instead of the City Clerk.
• The noise control plan was omitted in favor of referencing the City's existing nuisance ordinance.
• Approval or denial will be issued within 10 business days of application.
• The effective date of the ordinance will be January 1, 2026.

The updated draft version of the proposed ordinance is below. Your thoughts and suggestions are welcome. Email me at reedforcavespring@gmail.com to provide input and help us create an ordinance that supports great events while protecting residents, visitors and city resources. I look forward to hearing from you!

Reminder: if you’d like to receive updates any time I post, please join the Cave Spring City Council Post 3 Updates Google Group.

[UPDATED DRAFT] An Ordinance Regulating Special Events and Public Gatherings

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER XX OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF CAVE SPRING, GEORGIA, BY ADDING REGULATIONS GOVERNING SPECIAL EVENTS AND PUBLIC GATHERINGS; TO PROVIDE FOR PERMITS; TO PROVIDE FOR ENFORCEMENT; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Purpose.

The purpose of this article is to promote the safe and orderly conduct of defined events and public gatherings within the City of Cave Spring, Georgia, to ensure adequate planning for public safety, sanitation, traffic, and parking, and to protect public property and the welfare of residents and visitors.

Definitions.

For the purposes of this article, the following terms shall have the meanings assigned:

1. Special Event means any organized gathering, festival, concert, parade, fair, athletic event, or similar activity open to the public that:
1. Affects the ordinary use of any city property, street, park, sidewalk, or right-of-way; or
2. Disrupts the flow of traffic on public streets or sidewalks; or
3. Requires public safety or public works assistance from the City; or
4. Meets any of the conditions above and includes any of the following risk factors:
1. Alcohol service
2. Temporary structures (tents, stages, inflatables)
3. Cooking or open flames
4. Nighttime activities
5. Use of generators or amplified sound
2. Applicant means the person or organization applying for a Special Event permit.
3. Permit means written authorization issued by the City allowing a Special Event to take place under approved conditions.
4. City-Sponsored Event means an event organized and conducted by the City or an official City department, board, or authority acting within its lawful scope of authority.

Permit Required.

Special Event.
No person or organization shall conduct or sponsor a Special Event within the City without first obtaining a permit pursuant to this article. 

City-Sponsored Event.
Organizers of City-Sponsored Events shall not be required to obtain a permit; however, such events shall remain subject to all applicable public health and safety requirements of this article. Prior to the event, the responsible department shall provide advance notice and submit operational plans, as applicable, to the City Manager, Police Department, Fire Department, and any other relevant departments to ensure adequate coordination and protection of public safety.

Application Process.

(a) Application Deadline.
Applications shall be submitted to the City Manager's Office or designated Event Coordinator at least sixty (60) days before the proposed event date.

(b) Application Contents.
The application shall include:

1. Event name, date(s), time(s), and location(s);
2. Estimated attendance as reasonably foreseeable and admission, if any;
3. Description of activities;
4. Name and contact information for the responsible organizer and on-site contact person;
5. A site plan depicting:
• Event boundaries, stages, tents, booths, and temporary structures;
• Parking areas and vehicle access routes;
• Restroom facilities (portable or permanent);
• First aid stations and emergency access routes;
• Waste and recycling receptacles;
6. Description of security and public safety measures, including security staffing, crowd control strategies, and emergency medical arrangements;
7. Traffic and parking management plan including, if applicable, a map of the race/parade route and any necessary street closures;
8. Proof of insurance as specified in the Insurance and Indemnification section;
9. Sanitation plan, including restroom and hand-washing facilities; and
10. Emergency weather or evacuation plan for outdoor events.
    
    

(c) Fees.
Application and permit fees reasonably related to administrative and city service costs will be listed in the City’s Schedule of Fees and Fines, which may be amended from time to time.

Review and Approval.

(a) Upon receipt, the City Manager shall cause the application to be circulated to the Police Chief, Fire Chief, Public Works Director, and other relevant departments for review.

(b) Each department may recommend reasonable conditions to protect public safety and property.

(c) The City Manager shall issue approval or denial within ten (10) business days of submission, unless additional information is required.

Grounds for Denial.

A permit may be denied if:

1. The proposed event conflicts with another previously approved event;
2. The location is inadequate for the anticipated crowd, activity or event operations;
3. The proposed event is likely to cause confusion as to whether the City endorses, sponsors, or approves the message or purpose of the event, and the applicant refuses or is unable to implement reasonable measures, as determined by the City, to prevent such confusion;
4. The City determines that sufficient police, fire, emergency medical, public works, or other necessary public safety resources are not reasonably available to support the event at the proposed time and location;
5. The applicant has previously violated permit terms or City ordinances; 
6. The applicant or event organizer has a documented history of violations of law, permit conditions, or conduct at prior events that resulted in substantial public safety concerns, property damage, or disruption of City services; or
7. The event presents an unreasonable risk to public health, safety, or welfare that cannot be reasonably mitigated through the imposition of permit conditions.

Conditions of Permit.

All permits shall be subject to the following conditions unless otherwise approved:

(a) The permit holder shall maintain the event area in a clean, safe, and orderly condition and remove all litter and equipment within 24 hours after the event.

(b) The permit holder shall provide portable sanitation facilities in compliance with the Georgia Department of Public Health Rules and Regulations, Chapter 511-3-6, including Table 2, “Portable Sanitation Units for Special Events Planning,” as may be amended. Such sanitation facilities shall include facilities compliant with applicable accessibility requirements, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). A minimum of five percent (5%) of the total number of units, but never less than one (1) unit, must be accessible to individuals with disabilities. Accessible portable toilet units must be designed, located, and maintained to meet ADA Standards. Permanent restroom facilities located within the secured or gated event boundaries may be counted toward the total required number of sanitation facilities, provided such facilities are open, operational and compliant with applicable health and accessibility standards during the event. All required sanitation facilities, including accessible facilities, shall be located within the secured or gated event area, if applicable, and shall not require patrons to exit the ticketed premises for access.

(c) The number and type of required security personnel shall be determined by the Police Department as part of the event permit application review process, based on factors including, but not limited to, anticipated attendance, event type, duration, location, alcohol service, prior event history, and public safety considerations. The permit holder shall arrange to provide security personnel in the number and manner required by the Police Department as a condition of permit approval.

(d) Each vendor participating in an event shall be solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, permits, and licensing requirements, including but not limited to health department permitting and food safety regulations. Responsibility for obtaining and maintaining such permits shall rest solely with the vendor. The City shall not be responsible for monitoring vendor compliance with health regulations, and issuance of an event permit does not constitute approval of individual vendor operations.

(e) Emergency access lanes and fire lanes shall be designated as part of the event safety plan and are subject to review and approval by the City’s public safety officials, including police and fire personnel. All designated emergency access routes shall be maintained clear and unobstructed at all times during event setup, operation, and breakdown. The location, width, and clearance requirements of such access routes shall be determined by public safety officials based on the nature, size, and layout of the event.

(f) The permit holder shall comply with all applicable noise, alcohol, and business licensing regulations of the City of Cave Spring and Floyd County, Georgia.

City Services and Costs.

The City may require payment and/or reimbursement for reasonable costs of public safety, sanitation, traffic control, or other services directly related to the event. Such costs shall be itemized and provided to the applicant prior to permit issuance.

Insurance and Indemnification.

(a) When Required.
The applicant shall provide proof of liability insurance whenever the event, or any portion of it, including parking or traffic management, occurs on City property, streets, sidewalks, rights-of-way, or other public areas.

(b) Coverage Amounts.
The policy shall provide limits of not less than:

• $1,000,000 per occurrence, and
• $2,000,000 general aggregate.
  
  

(c) Additional Insureds.
The policy shall name the City of Cave Spring, Georgia, its officers, employees, and agents as additional insureds with respect to liability arising out of the event and any related use of City property, including parking areas.

(d) Certificate and Notice.
A Certificate of Insurance evidencing such coverage shall be provided before issuance of a permit and shall require at least thirty (30) days’ written notice to the City before any cancellation or modification of coverage.

(e) Indemnification.
The applicant shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the City of Cave Spring, its officers, employees, and agents from and against any and all claims, damages, or liabilities arising from or related to the event, including setup, takedown, parking, and associated activities.

Revocation of Permit.

The City may revoke a permit if the applicant provides false information, fails to comply with permit conditions, or if public safety is jeopardized. Upon revocation, the City may require immediate cessation of event activities.

Enforcement and Penalties.

(a) Conducting a Special Event without a permit constitutes a violation of this article. Any person violating this ordinance shall be subject to a fine in an amount as established by the City Council in the City’s Schedule of Fees and Fines, as amended from time to time, or as otherwise authorized by law.

(b) Any person or organization that conducts, sponsors, or allows a Special Event to occur on city-owned property, streets, sidewalks, rights-of-way, or other public property without a required permit shall be responsible for all actual and reasonable costs incurred by the city as a result of the event, including cleanup, repair of damaged property, and public safety services. Recoverable costs may include, but are not limited to, litter removal, waste disposal, repair or restoration of turf, landscaping, pavement, fixtures, or structures, and the labor and equipment costs incurred by the city.

(c) Nothing in this ordinance shall be construed to limit the responsibility or liability of an event organizer for damage to private property caused by or arising from a Special Event, whether permitted or unpermitted. Property owners retain all rights and remedies available under law.

Appeals.

An applicant may appeal a denial, condition, or revocation of a permit by submitting a written appeal to the City Council within ten (10) business days of the decision. The Council shall hear the appeal at the next regular meeting.

Severability.

If any provision of this article is found invalid or unconstitutional, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions, which shall continue in full force and effect.

Effective Date. 

This ordinance shall become effective on January 1, 2027. From the date of adoption through December 31, 2026, the City shall not enforce the provisions of this ordinance but may undertake education, outreach, and administrative preparation to facilitate compliance. The period between adoption and the effective date is intended to allow for orderly implementation and compliance.

Adopted this ___ day of ________, 2026 by the Council of the City of Cave Spring, Georgia.

Chair, City Council

City Clerk