City of San Mateo Law Library
City of San Mateo Municipal Code.

17.34.030 DEFINITIONS.

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall mean:

"Amplified sound" means music or speech projected or transmitted by electronic equipment, including, but not limited to, an amplifier, loudspeakers, or similar devices.

"Annual event" means an event recurring each year at approximately the same date which has previously complied with the permit requirements of this code.

"Applicant" means the authorized agent of the sponsor who completes the application and acts as primary contact for the special event.

"Chairperson" means the chairperson of the Special Community Events Committee as designated by the City Manager.

"Committee" means the Special Community Events Committee as constituted by this code.

"Event participants" means persons in attendance at an event, including spectators, vendors, event staff, City staff, and all others present for the purpose of the event.

"Fair/carnival" means a stationary event, held for one or more days.

"Free speech event" means an event at which the expression of free speech rights is a principal purpose of the event. "Free speech rights" means expressive activity, protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution or Article 1, Section 2, of the California Constitution.

"High impact event" means a special event meeting two or more of the following criteria: (1) being held for the first time; (2) expected to draw more than 500 participants; (3) held on a recurring basis; (4) requiring the support of two or more City departments; (5) following a route with a different start and finish; (6) requiring a street closure; or (7) requiring interagency coordination.

"Indigent person" means: (1) a person who is receiving benefits pursuant to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and State Supplemental Payments (SSP) programs (Sections 12200 to 12205, inclusive, of the California Welfare and Institutions Code), the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Act (CalWORKs) program (Chapter 2, commencing with Section 11200 of Part 3 of Division 9 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code), the Food Stamp program (7 U.S.C. Section 2011 et seq.) or Section 17000 of the Welfare and Institutions Code; (2) a person whose monthly income is 125% or less of the current monthly poverty line annually established by the Secretary of Health and Human Services pursuant to the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, as amended.

"Low impact event" means any event other than a "high impact event."

"Parade" means any organized group of 50 people or more marching or in procession, whether on foot, animal, or vehicle, on public property.

"Procedure" means a procedure adopted by the special events committee, to implement this code, or to carry out other responsibilities as may be required by this code or by other codes, ordinances, or resolutions of the City or other agencies.

"Race/run" means an organized event upon a public street, sidewalk, or trail in which 10 or more persons participate by walking, running, riding a bicycle, or operating a wheelchair.

"Recurring event" means an event that will occur repeatedly within a one-year period.

"Special event" means:

(1) An event held on public streets, sidewalks, walkways, or other publicly owned property, including, but not limited to, parades and races/runs; or

(2) An event held on private property that is: (a) open to the public, (b) not subject to any other City permitting requirement, (c) not consistent with the property's zoning classification, and (d) which may have traffic, parking, noise or other impacts on neighboring properties. This includes farmer's markets and food truck gatherings.

"Sponsor" means the person or group responsible for the special event to be held.

"Spontaneous event" means an event occasioned by news or affairs coming into public knowledge less than 48 hours prior to such event.

"Transportation management/parking plan" means a plan developed by the applicant/sponsor to identify and mitigate traffic/parking impacts associated with a special event.