Outdoor Fee-Based Activity Guidebook & Application
The City of Dublin recognizes the considerable benefits of providing public park space for recreational use. It helps promote healthy lifestyles, social development and a heightened sense of community. With that said, at times there are opportunities for organizations and businesses to use City properties that enhance the user experience or fulfill a community need.
The purpose of the Outdoor Fee-Based Activity (OFBA) policy is to establish an effective mechanism for allowing activities or services of this sort, while safeguarding the parks and the rights of park patrons to access and use the parks. The outlined process will also aid in the prevention of scheduling conflicts, overuse of venues, and duplication of services.
In an effort to simplify the application procedures for event organizers, the City of Dublin has prepared this guidebook. The staff of Community Events is available to answer your questions to ensure a successful event.
Please note that the event organizer is responsible for fees and wages for all City services and staff as determined by the Permitted Events Committee. The event organizer may also be charged a rental fee for use of City facilities and an additional fee for lost or damaged City property.
Please feel free to call Community Events at 614.410.4510 for any further information.
Application & Process
Application
If you have any questions regarding the application, please contact Lori Gischel at lgischel@dublin.oh.us | 614.410.4516
Any individual or organization who intends to hold an outdoor class, clinic, camp, guided activity, program, or related service organized and offered by an event organizer for which a payment, fee or other consideration is expected to be made to the event organizer, directly or indirectly, for the right of an individual to participate or attend must submit an application to the Division of Community Events. The application must be submitted at least 90 days prior to the scheduled event(s), unless exempt by law.
A permit is required whether the OFBA is by invitation-only or open to the general public. On OFBA must be generally recreational in nature, or a common and customary park use. If an activity exceeds the scope of the OFBA requirements or requires City services, the application may be required to complete a City of Dublin Community Event Permit Application.
Criteria of Issuance of an OFBA Permit
OFBA Permit applications shall be submitted to the Division of Community Events for consideration and approval in advance according to the application deadlines established in this policy. The Events Administrator or designee will review all OFBA Permit applications. The City of Dublin has sole discretion and authority to restrict or refuse the use of any public facility or area to any group or individual. Considerations for permit requests include, but are not limited to:
- The permit application is complete in all material respects and all information contained in the application accurately reflects the knowledge of the applying organization/individual
- The permit application was completed and returned to the Events Administrator or designee within the required time frame (30 days prior to the activity); unless a waiver from this requirement has been granted
- The activity is not to be held for the primary purpose of advertising a product, goods, or services. An OFBA must be generally recreational in nature, or a common and customary park use.
- The activity will not disturb the surrounding residents, businesses, or natural landscape of the park
- The date or location of the activity does not conflict with an existing event or activity
- The activity does not duplicate or directly compete with any services already being provided either by the City of Dublin or contracted vendor. All applications will be reviewed by the City of Dublin’s Recreation Services Department.
- Any proposed use of public property, right-of-way or facilities will not interfere with normal use of the property, right-of-way or facility by the City or the general use
The granting of any OFBA Permit does not supersede other requirements including, but not limited to the following:
- Business licenses or any other permits which may be required by any other federal, state or local statutes, ordinances, rules or regulations;
- Compliance with any other applicable federal, state or local statutes ordinances, rules or regulations.
General Guidelines for an OFBA Permit
- Permits will be issued based on the above-mentioned criteria; however, additional criteria may also be considered prior to permits being issued.
- All City codes, rules, and policies apply. The park must be returned to the pre-activity condition.
- The OFBA Permit does not include access to designated rental facilities. Rental facilities can be reserved separately in advance.
- The OFBA Permit does not reserve the park space; all areas in the park may be used on a first come, first serve basis. The City reserves the right to close permitted parks at any time and for any reason.
- No merchandise may be sold in conjunction with the service being provided unless approved in advance.
- The OFBA Permit may not be used for “walk-up” business and participation. All participants must be scheduled in advance. Permittee will not be permitted to solicit business within the park.
- Permittee will be permitted to place directional signage in the park during the approved activity according to the City’s signage policy. Directional signage must be removed when activity is not taking place.
- Any equipment or tents used in the park must be approved in advance. No vehicles may be driven outside of the roadways and parking lots for the purpose of placing equipment or for any other reason.
- All outstanding fees must be paid prior to consideration of any new applications.
- Upon approval of the completed permit application, the activity organizer will receive an OFBA Permit. Proof of the permit must be available (hard copy or digital version) at the activity and available upon request of any City staff member.
- Permittee of a given park does not have priority for that park during future seasons.
Permits
- Depending on the nature of the permit request, the Events Administrator or designee will typically act upon the OFBA Permit application required by this policy within 10 business days of all requirements being fulfilled, notifying the applicant of the decision in writing.
- If any changes are requested after the submittal or approval of an application, the Permittee must notify the Events Administrator in writing at least one (1) week prior to the requested change (ex. Change of location, time, day, etc.).
- The Events Administrator or designee, in denying an application for an OFBA Permit under this policy, shall be empowered to authorize the conduct of the activity on an alternate date and time, and under different conditions from that which were requested by the applicant. It is the applicant’s responsibility to determine if the activity will occur under the alternate conditions provided.
- An OFBA Permit may be revoked at any time at the discretion of the Events Administrator or designee upon consultation with the appropriate public safety officials when the health or safety of the public is threatened by an emergency, disorder, public safety concern or any other unforeseen condition that may arise.
Permit Fees
The permit fee and any facility rental fees associated with the permit request are due upon approval of the permit application. The activity organizer may also be charged an additional fee for any City property damaged during use.
Insurance, Indemnity & Permission
Event organizers will be responsible for any and all damages caused by or related to the event.
The sponsoring organization, permit holder or host establishment may be required to obtain a comprehensive general liability insurance policy (PDF) for bodily injury and property damage arising from the event. This will be at the discretion of the City of Dublin Risk Manager. The City, in its sole discretion, may waive the insurance requirement. It may also be waived when it is necessary to comply with any federal, state or local law, stature, regulation or constitutional provision.
City of Dublin must be named as additionally insured on the Certificate of Liability Insurance.
The Hold Harmless-Indemnification Agreement in the Initial Application must be signed by an authorized representative of the sponsoring organization.
Enforcement of Other Laws
- Nothing contained in this document shall prohibit the authority of any officer to arrest a person engaged in any act or activity granted under this policy, if the conduct of such person violates the laws of the state, provision of this Code, or ordinances of the City, or unreasonably obstructs the public streets and sidewalks of the City, or if such person engaged in acts that cause or would tend to cause a breach of the peace.
- The granting of any Community Event Permit required by this policy shall not eliminate the requirements for any business license or any other permits which may be prescribed by any other federal, state or local statutes, ordinances, rules or regulations; or compliance with any other applicable federal, state or local statutes ordinances, rules or regulations.
* Nonprofit organizations must submit documentation of their tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service (i.e., IRS determination letter).
Public Records Request Overview
In order to support faster response and better tracking of requests, the City of Dublin uses JustFOIA to collect, respond to and manage public information requests.
Why JustFOIA?
JustFOIA is a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) online application that helps streamline the open records request process for the community and improve efficiencies in getting requested information quickly and accurately.
The application lets community members submit requests for all city records, including police reports. Commonly requested information includes accident reports, copies of resolutions and body-camera video.
Mission
We are and always have been a proud local democracy. In our service, we strive to provide the best quality of life and environment in which our residents and businesses can thrive. We seek to ally our proud traditions with the best innovations of the future.
Vision
Dublin, Ohio, is the most sustainable, connected and resilient global city of choice.
Core Values
Integrity, Respect, Communication, Teamwork, Accountability, Positive Attitude & Dedication to Service.
The City of Dublin operates under a set of seven key core values: integrity, respect, communication, teamwork, accountability, positive attitude and dedication to service. Staff members use these seven values as the basis for daily decision-making, including the decisions that go into the budget process.
- Integrity. We are open and honest. We honor our commitments to the community and each other. Our actions are consistent with what we say.
- Respect. We treat our coworkers and members of the community with courtesy and dignity. We embrace diversity and acknowledge the needs, responsibilities and inherent worth of each individual.
- Communication. We maintain an environment in which employees feel free to share ideas and information. We promote open interaction throughout the organization to ensure knowledge and understanding among all employees and our community.
- Teamwork. We create a climate in which all employees work together and support the individual talents and contributions of team members. We celebrate successes and see mistakes as opportunities for growth; we will never willingly let a member of our team fail.
- Accountability. We are responsible to our community and each other for our personal and organizational decisions, actions and performance results. We are committed stewards of our City’s assets and resources.
- Positive Attitude. We focus our efforts on constructive behavior, attitudes and solutions. We promote an environment that people love going to every day – a place where each individual can find a sense of belonging, inspiration, enjoyment and meaning.
- Dedication to Service. We pursue innovation and continuous improvement in all we do. We are committed to efficient, effective and responsive service delivery that makes a difference in the lives of those we serve.
Leadership Philosophy
We are members of an organization that succeeds because of teamwork, dedication, diversity and the innovative spirit of all of our members. Together, we build a culture of trust, service, mutual respect, inclusion and open communication. We hold ourselves mutually accountable to promote and sustain continuous learning and to develop the learning potential that exists in every member of our team.
City Code
The complete Dublin City Code is available online at American Legal City Ordinance website. Information staff at the Dublin branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library are available to help navigate this website.
Revised Charter of Dublin, Ohio
This Revised Charter, as adopted on March 19, 1996, became effective on July 4, 1996.
Zoning Code
The Zoning Code for Dublin is Chapter 153 of the Dublin Code of Ordinances. The Zoning Code sets land development requirements and establishes different uses within individual districts. Zoning regulations address the physical development of a site, such as building height, lot requirements, setbacks from lot lines, minimum numbers of parking spaces, sign types and sizes, and other related regulations.
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