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].
Permit Fees
A non-refundable $50 application fee must be paid at the Finance Window in City Hall, Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm. A receipt indicating payment must accompany the application.
SEC. 4.20 Mass Gatherings
- Definitions. The following words and terms, whenever used
in this Section, shall be interpreted as herein provided:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Sponsor means to allow, permit, conduct, hold,
maintain, encourage, organize, or promote a mass gathering.
- 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.
- 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 mass gathering.
- 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 seven (7) 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:
- The name, address, and telephone number of the person
or persons requesting the permit;
- The name and address of all persons acting as sponsors
of the mass gathering;
- The name, address, and telephone number of the person
acting as chairperson or otherwise responsible for the conduct
of the mass gathering;
- The purpose of the mass gathering and the estimated
number of attendees;
- The date or dates the mass gathering is to be conducted
and the hour or hours the mass gathering will commence and
terminate;
- The number, type (flush type or portable chemical),
and location of toilet facilities to be provided for use
during the mass gathering;
- The name and address of any concessionaires or vendors
doing business at the mass gathering;
- Whether any live or recorded music will be provided;
- Whether alcoholic beverages will be sold at the mass
gatherings;
- A statement as to the number and type of refuse collection
containers that will be available at the mass gathering;
- A statement explaining the availability of adequate
lawful parking within the immediate area of the mass gatherings;
- A statement explaining arrangements made for the presence
of any security guard(s);
- A site plan indicating the location of fencing and points
of ingress to and egress from the mass gathering;
- A statement explaining applicant’s legal interest in
the mass gathering site and submission of evidence by deed,
lease, or other document verifying such interest.
- The name, address, and telephone number of the person
or persons requesting the permit;
- Conditions Precedent To Granting Of Permit. No permit shall
be issued under this Division unless the following conditions
are met:
- 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.
- 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
or refuse may be used. The total capacity of the containers
shall be a minimum of thirty (30) gallons for each fifty
(50) attendees.
- Clean-up: The applicant shall post a clean-up deposit
or bond in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) to secure
compliance with the clean up provisions of this Section.
- 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 and that emergency vehicles shall have access
to the site.
- Security and public safety: The applicant shall provide
at least one clearly identified security guard for every
fifty (50) 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- No beverages served in glass bottles will be permitted.
- No mass gathering shall commence before eleven (11)
o’clock a.m. or continue past one (1) o’clock a.m.
- 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.
- Issuance Or Denial Of Permit; Appeal.
- Issuance. The Chief of Police or his designee shall
issue a permit within seven (7) days following receipt of
the application for a permit if, based upon an evaluation
of the information provided 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:
- Dates and hour of operation of the mass gathering;
- Number of attendees permitted at the mass gathering;
- Number and location of toilet facilities required
in connection with the mass gathering;
- Size and location of refuse collection containers
required in connection with the mass gathering;
- Notice that the permittee shall be responsible for
clean-up;
- Number and location of parking spaces or parking
areas required in connection with the mass gathering;
- Number of security guard(s) required in connection
with the mass gathering;
- Location and type of fencing required in connection
with the mass gathering;
- 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
- Street closure permit
- Notice that issuance of a mass gathering permit
does not constitute waiver of requirements imposed under
other Town ordinances or state law.
- Dates and hour of operation of the mass gathering;
- Denial. The Chief of Police or his designee shall deny
a permit within seven (7) 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 this 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, or if the mass gathering is
likely to cause significant traffic, noise, litter, health,
or disturbances of the peace, or if a mass gathering previously
sponsored by the applicant (including any members of the
applicant association) has caused significant problems regarding
noise, traffic, litter, health, unlawful possession or consumption
of alcohol by minors, or disturbances of the peace or that
significant problems regarding noise, traffic, litter, health,
unlawful possession or consumption of alcohol by minors,
or disturbances of the peace have occurred at this location
within the past two years. The Chief may also deny a Mass
Gathering permit if a permit has been granted in the past
year for any location within 1500 feet of the proposed location
and the Chief finds that the issuance of a Mass Gathering
permit would unduly disrupt the quiet of the area of the
proposed Mass Gathering. The Chief may also deny a permit
if one or more such permits have been issued within 48 hours
of the time being requested and the Chief reasonably believes
that there are insufficient police resources available to
monitor the Mass Gathering. 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 of by U.S. Mail, first class postage prepaid.
- 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 seven (7) 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 of his designee shall be final and reviewable only
in the courts in accordance with applicable law.
- Issuance. The Chief of Police or his designee shall
issue a permit within seven (7) days following receipt of
the application for a permit if, based upon an evaluation
of the information provided 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:
- Post-Gathering Procedures.
- 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.
- 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 this section.
- Deposit, refund, or bond termination. If the permittee
has complied with this section 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.
- If, upon inspection, the Chief of Police determines
that the permittee has failed to comply with clean-up provisions,
the Chief of Police may cause trash and debris at the site
to be placed in appropriate containers, making it ready
for removal. The permittee shall be responsible for the
cost of such cleanup. The Town may order forfeiture of the
clean-up deposit or bond and apply all or a portion of the
same towards the clean-up cost incurred by the Town.
- 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 regular mail. Permittee may, within
five (5) 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 result in forfeiture
of the clean-up deposit or bond.
- 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 the clean-up provisions. Reasonable notice
of said hearing shall be provided to permittee.
- Decision. If the City Manager or his designee determines
that the permittee has 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Permit Not Transferable. No permit issued under the provisions
of this Section shall be transferable.
- 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.
- 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.
- Refusal To Obey Order To Disperse. Any person who refuses
to obey a lawful order of a police officer to orderly disperse
from a mass gathering site shall be in violation of this Section.
- 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.
- 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 the permit.
- 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 of 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. 25.16-5 FEES HEREBY IMPOSED BY THE TOWN:
B. Fee for a Mass Gathering Permit. $ 50.00
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)
Permit Fees
A non-refundable $20 application fee must be paid at the Finance Window in City Hall, Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm. A receipt indicating payment must accompany the application.
PROCEDURE FOR APPLYING FOR A PERMIT Individuals wishing to apply for a P.A. Permit, may do so by coming to the Information Window of the Normal Police Department and asking for the on-duty supervisor. The permit must be approved prior to the use of any sound amplifying device which requires a permit.
Municipal Code: Section 17 Division 5 - SOUND AMPLIFYING DEVICES
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.