HomeMy Public PortalAbout05_7C_Holiday Decorations_staff report_finalCOMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
DATE: January 19, 2021
TO: The Honorable City Council
FROM: Bryan Cook, City Manager
By: Scott Reimers, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: REFRAINING ENFORCEMENT ON PUBLIC NUISANCE CASES
RELATED TO HOLIDAY LIGHTS AND DECORATIONS
RECOMMENDATION:
City Council is requested to adopt this policy directing community preservation staff to
refrain from enforcing the portion of City’s public nuisance ordinance related to holiday
lights, decorations, and displays until the local state of emergency ends.
BACKGROUND:
On January 5, 2020, the City Council requested staff to bring a recommendation for the
City Council’s discussion and approval related to holding in abeyance enforcement of the
City’s holiday lights and decoration rules.
ANALYSIS:
Section 4-2C-2.A.16 of the Temple City Municipal Code states that the following is a
public nuisance, “Holiday lights, decorations, or displays that are erected, installed,
displayed, or maintained on exterior portions of real property more than thirty (30)
calendar days before a federal, state, or religious holiday and/or more than fifteen (15)
calendar days after a federal, state, or religious holiday.” From January to March, the
Community Preservation staff proactively canvass the City for holiday lights and
decorations left up in violation of this Ordinance. The Community Preservation staff
opened 250 such cases in 2019 and 277 cases in 2018.
This year, some members of the community have taken to the practice of displaying
holiday lights to lift community spirit during the COVID-19 pandemic. Considering this
practice, staff recommends holding enforcement of this code section in abeyance until
the local state of emergency ends.
AGENDA
ITEM 7.C.
City Council
January 19, 2021
Page 2 of 2
STRATEGIC GOALS:
This action furthers the City Strategic Goal of Quality of Life.
FISCAL IMPACT :
Putting on hold the enforcement of this rule will not affect the City’s budget.