Ordinance/Permit Information
Ordinance Information
Mass Gathering Permits
Public Address Permits
The following information is provided by the Town of Normal Legal Department. If you have additional questions after reading this information, you may contact the Town Legal Department at (309) 454-9507.
Mass Gathering Permits
Below is the text of the Town of Normal Ordinance regarding Mass Gatherings and the procedure to follow in order to apply for a Mass Gathering Permit [PDF].
SECTION 4 DIVISION 32 - MASS GATHERINGS
SEC. 4.32-1 DEFINITIONS. The following words and terms, whenever used in this Division, shall be interpreted as herein provided:
A. Person means any natural person or persons, corporation, partnership, joint venture, union, association, society, club, fraternity, sorority, social or religious organization or committee.
B. Mass Gathering means any outdoor or open air gathering of three hundred (300) or more persons at which alcoholic liquor is consumed, provided such alcoholic liquor is not sold at the gathering by a person or persons holding a liquor license issued by the Town of Normal.
C. Sponsor means to allow, permit, conduct, hold, maintain, encourage, organize, or promote a mass gathering.
D. Permittee means the person to whom a permit is issued under this Division.
E. Security Guard means any person clearly identified as security personnel, provided such person does not consume alcoholic liquor while on duty at the mass gathering.
F. Attendee means any natural person participating in a mass gathering.
G. Fence means any barrier or partition with principal dimensions of height and length clearly defining the perimeters of a mass gathering and designed to control ingress and egress. A fence shall include but not be limited to existing buildings, walls hedges, and structures.
H. Day means a twenty-four (24) hour period.
SEC. 4.32-2 PERMIT REQUIRED. It shall be unlawful for any person to sponsor a mass gathering unless a permit has been obtained from the Town of Normal for the sponsoring of such a mass gathering.
SEC 4.32-3 APPLICATION FOR PERMIT. Written application for a permit to sponsor a mass gathering shall be made to the Chief of Police or his designee. The application may be submitted at any time, but at least three (3) working days prior to the date upon which the mass gathering is to be held. Such application shall be on forms provided by the Town and shall have attached thereto plans, documents, and other material required by this Division. The application shall be forwarded to the appropriate police department personnel for an investigation with reference to all applicable Town codes and laws. The permit application shall contain the following information:
A. The name, address, and telephone number of the person or persons requesting the permit;
B. The name and address of all persons acting as sponsors of the mass gathering;
C. The name, address, and telephone number of the person acting as chairperson or otherwise responsible for the conduct of the mass gathering;
D. The purpose of the mass gathering and the estimated number of attendees;
E. The date or dates the mass gathering is to be conducted and the hour or hours the mass gathering will commence and terminate;
F. The number, type (flush type or portable chemical), and location of toilet facilities to be provided for use during the mass gathering;
G. The name and address of any concessionaires or vendors doing business at the mass gathering;
H. Whether any live or recorded music will be provided;
I. Whether alcoholic beverages will be sold at the mass gathering;
J. A statement as to the number and type of refuse collection containers that will be available at the mass gathering;
K. A statement explaining the availability of adequate lawful parking within the immediate area of the mass gathering;
L. A statement explaining arrangements made for the presence of any security guard(s);
M. A site plan indicating the location of fencing and points of ingress to and egress from the mass gathering;
N. A statement explaining the applicant's legal interest in the mass gathering site and submission of evidence by deed, lease, or other document verifying such interest;
SEC. 4.32-4 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO GRANTING OF PERMIT. No permit shall be issued under this Division unless the following conditions are met: A. Toilet facilities: The applicant shall provide a minimum of one toilet facility for each seventy-five (75) attendees. Toilet facilities shall be located within the mass gathering perimeters or within one hundred (100) feet thereof, and be identified as open for use by attendees.
B. Waste Management: Refuse collection containers shall be placed within the perimeters of the mass gathering and at the point or points of egress from the mass gathering. Containers shall be durable and non-absorbent. Heavy-weight paper or plastic sacks designed specifically for storage of refuse may be used. The total capacity of the containers shall be a minimum of thirty (30) gallons for each fifty (50) attendees.
C. Clean-up: The applicant shall post a clean-up deposit or bond in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) to secure compliance with Section 4.32-6a.
D. Traffic and parking control: The applicant shall have made provision for adequate lawful parking within the immediate area of the mass gathering site so that traffic will not be disrupted ad that emergency vehicles shall have access to the site.
E. Security and public safety: The applicant shall provide at least one clearly identified security guard for every three hundred (300) attendees or fraction thereof approved in the permit. such security guard(s) shall be in attendance from one half hour before and until one half-hour after the time of the mass gathering, as approved for any given day.
F. Mass gathering site: The mass gathering site shall be fenced in such a manner so that attendees are familiar with the lawful perimeters of the site, and also to assist the sponsor in restricting the mass gathering to those persons invited to attend.
G. Interest in mass gathering site: The applicant shall demonstrate a legal interest in the mass gathering site by means of a deed, lease agreement, or other document stating such interest.
SEC. 4.32-5 ISSUANCE OR DENIAL OF PERMIT; APPEAL.
A. Issuance. The Chief of Police or his designee shall issue a permit within three (3) days following receipt of the application for a permit if, based upon an evaluation of the information provided under Sec. 4.32-3 and Sec 4.32-4 of this Division or information obtained by an investigation made by the Town, it is determined that the proposed mass gathering complies with the requirements of this Division, all other Town Ordinances, and applicable state law. The permit issued by the Chief of Police or his designee shall detail the following:
1. Dates and hours of operation of the mass gathering;
2. Number of attendees permitted at the mass gathering;
3. Number and location of toilet facilities required in connection with the mass gathering;
4. Size and location of refuse collection containers required in connection with the mass gathering;
5. Notice that the permittee shall be responsible for clean-up pursuant to Sec. 4.32-6 a.;
6. Number and location of parking spaces or parking areas required in connection with the mass gathering;
7. Number of security guard(s) required in connection with the mass gathering;
8. Location and type of fencing required in connection with the mass gathering;
9. A list of all other permits, licenses, or registrations required by the Town in order to hold a lawful gathering, including, but not limited to, any of the following:
Street closure permit
Specific events permit
Sound amplification permit
Business permit or registration
10. Notice that issuance of a mass gathering permit does not constitute waiver of requirements imposed under other Town ordinances or state law.
B. Denial. The Chief of Police or his designee shall deny a permit within three (3) days following receipt of the application for a permit if any information supplied by the applicant is false or intentionally misleading, if issuance of a permit violates or will cause a violation of the terms of the applicant's lease arrangements for use of the mass gathering site, or if the proposed mass gathering violates any of the conditions of this division, any other Town ordinance, or any applicable state law. Such denial shall be in writing and enumerate the specific reason or reasons for the denial. Notice of the denial shall be given to the applicant by personal service or by U.S. Mail, first class postage prepaid.
C. Appeals. The denial of a permit by the Chief of Police or his designee pursuant to the provisions of this Division may be appealed to the City Manager by the applicant. Such appeal shall be in writing, filed with the City Manager within five (5) days of the mailing or personal service of the decision of the Chief of Police or his designee and must specify objections to the decision of the Chief of Police or his designee. The City Manager or his designee shall within three (3) days act upon the appeal by conducting a hearing and making a decision on such appeal. The City Manager or his designee shall notify the applicant personally of the time and place of said hearing. If the City Manager or his designee determines that a permit should be issued, then he shall issue a permit. If the City Manager or his designee determines that a permit should not be issued, then he shall inform the applicant of his decision in writing specifying his reasons therefore. All decisions of the City Manager or his designee shall be final and reviewable only in the courts in accordance with applicable law.
SEC. 4.32-6 POST-GATHERING PROCEDURES.
A. Clean-up. The applicant shall be responsible for placing all refuse in appropriate containers, making it ready for removal within twelve (12) hours following the conclusion of the mass gathering.
B. Post-gathering inspection. Within twelve (12) hours following the conclusion of the mass gathering, the Chief of Police shall cause an inspection to be made at the mass gathering site to determine compliance with Sec. 4.32-6 a.
C. Deposit, refund of bond termination. If the permittee has complied with Sec. 4.32-6 a., the Chief of Police shall authorize return of the clean-up deposit or termination of the clean-up bond. The clean-up deposit shall be returned within five (5) days from such authorization.
D. Non-compliance with Sec. 4.32-6 a.- effect. If, upon inspection, the Chief of Police determines that the permittee has failed to comply with Sec. 4.32-6 a., the Chief of Police may cause trash and debris at the site to be place in appropriate containers, making it ready for removal. The permittee shall be responsible for the cost of such clean-up. After notice and hearing as hereafter provided, the Town may order forfeiture of the clean-up deposit or bond an apply all or a portion of the same towards the clean-up cost incurred by the Town.
E. Clean-up deposit or bond forfeiture. The City Manager or his designee shall, prior to ordering forfeiture of any clean-up deposit or bond, give notice to the permittee. Such notice shall be by certified mail without return receipt. Permittee may, within five days of the mailing of said notice, file a written request with the City Manager or his designee for an administrative hearing. Failure to request a hearing shall be considered prima facie proof of failure to comply with Sec. 4.32-6 a. and shall result in forfeiture of the clean-up deposit or bond.
F. Hearing. Upon request for an administrative hearing, the City Manager or his designee shall schedule a time at which the permittee may present evidence indicating by a preponderance of the evidence that the permittee complied with the terms of Sec. 4.32-6 a. Reasonable notice of said hearing shall be provided to permittee.
G. Decision. If the City Manager or his designee determines that the permittee had met his burden of proof, then he shall order the clean-up deposit or bond returned to the permittee. If the City Manager or his designee determines that the permittee has not met the burden of proof, then he shall order the clean-up deposit or bond forfeited to the Town. All decisions of the City Manager or his designee shall be final and reviewable only in the courts in accordance with applicable law.
SEC. 4.32-7 NECESSITY FOR OTHER PERMITS. Obtaining a permit under this Division shall not excuse any person from compliance with any other applicable statute, ordinance, or regulation, or the necessity of obtaining any other permit or license required by law.
SEC. 4.32-8 PERMIT NOT TRANSFERABLE No permit issued under the provisions of this Division shall be transferable.
SEC. 4.32-9 PERMITTEE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES. The permittee shall be present at the mass gathering site during the entire period, from one half-hour prior to the scheduled mass gathering time to one hour after the close of the mass gathering, as approved for any given day.
SEC 4.32-10 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH PERMIT It shall be unlawful for any person granted a permit pursuant to the terms of this Division to violate any of the terms or conditions enumerated in such permit.
SEC. 4.32-11 REFUSAL TO OBEY ORDER TO DISPERSE Any person who refuses to obey a lawful order of a police officer or orderly disperse from a mass gathering site shall be in violation of this Section.
SEC. 4.32-12 NO PERMIT- EFFECT No person shall knowingly participate in or attend a mass gathering unless a written permit has been obtained from the City Manager, Chief of Police, or their designee. Upon verbal notice from a police officer of the Town of Normal that no permit has been issued for the mass gathering, any person who refuses or fails to orderly disperse shall be in violation of this Section.
SEC. 4.32-13 ADMISSION The permittee shall not admit any person to a mass gathering if such admission results in a greater number of persons present than allowed by permit.
SEC. 4.32-14 PROXIMITY TO SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, HOSPITALS, ETC. No mass gathering shall be held in a location which is closer than one hundred (100) feet from any school when in session, church or synagogue when services are being held, hospital or nursing home, unless such gathering is sponsored by the affected school(s), church(es), synagogue(s), hospital(s), or nursing home(s).
SEC. 4.32-15 PENALTY Any person who violates any provision of this Division shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1000).
SEC. 4.32-16 SEVERABILITY If any Section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this Division is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Division. The Town of Normal hereby declares that it adopted this Division and each portion thereof irrespective of the fact that nay one portion be declared invalid or unconstitutional.
PROCEDURE FOR APPLYING FOR A PERMIT Individuals wishing to apply for a Mass Gathering Permit, may do so by coming to the Information Window of the Normal Police Department and asking for the on-duty supervisor.
Public Address Permits
Below is the text of the Town of Normal Ordinance regarding sound amplifying devices and the procedure to follow in order to apply for a Public Address Permit. (Click here to go the Police Forms/Applications page where you can view print a Public Address Permit)
PROCEDURE FOR APPLYING FOR A PERMIT Individuals wishing to apply for a Mass Gathering Permit, may do so by coming to the Information Window of the Normal Police Department and asking for the on-duty supervisor.
Municipal Code: Section 17 Division 5 - SOUND AMPLIFYING DEVICES
Any individual who wishes to apply for a Public Address (P.A.) Permit may do so by coming to the Information Desk of the Normal Police Department. The permit must be approved prior to the use of any sound amplifying device which requires a permit.
Approval of a PA Permit Application does not authorize any noise that is in violation of Section 24 of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act which reads: NO PERSON SHALL EMIT BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES OF HIS PROPERTY ANY NOISE THAT UNREASONABLY INTERFERES WITH THE ENJOYMENT OF LIFE.