To: Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
From: Molly Rattigan, Community Resources and Development Director
Prepared By: Molly Rattigan, Community Resources and Development Director
TITLE:
Title
Temporary Use Permits-BottleRock Adjacent Activities
LABEL
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommendation
Authorize the Community Resources and Development Director to process Temporary Use Permits, as already authorized under Napa Municipal Code Section 17.52.490(N) and Chapter 17.58, for the period of May 22, 2026 to May 25, 2026, for events or activities the in Oxbow District and Downtown Commercial Core to coincide with BottleRock.
Body
DISCUSSION:
In 2025, during BottleRock weekend, many businesses in the Oxbow and Downtown Core Commercial area hosted events or remained open after BottleRock hours, sometimes in violation of an existing Use Permit. This caused some public safety concerns and challenges.
After speaking with the Downtown Association and many business owners following BottleRock 2025, staff learned that most Use Permits in the Oxbow and Downtown Commercial Core only allow operation during BottleRock hours. These businesses often lack customers while BottleRock is occurring, and they desire to stay open later to benefit from the economic opportunities that BottleRock brings to the business community. Additionally, businesses staying open later help with the flow of traffic and individuals exiting the area safely.
To support businesses that are impacted by BottleRock, City staff met internally and is recommending that businesses be allowed to apply for Temporary Use Permits for special events related to BottleRock under Napa Municipal Code Section 17.52.490(N). This allows the City to review and approve planned activities proactively, rather than reactively to address public safety needs.
Staff in the Community Resources and Development Department have partnered with the Police and Fire Departments, as well as other City Departments, to develop a process to consider Special Event Uses for BottleRock. Further, the Departments are collaboratively working on a proposed update to the Napa Municipal Code to develop a more permanent process to address Special Events and Temporary Use Permits. Staff expects to bring a proposal to Council before July 2026.
Staff will process Temporary Use Permit applications for activities that include:
• Temporarily extending operating hours beyond what is currently permitted
• Hosting outdoor gatherings or events, including expanded seating or service areas
• Offering amplified music or entertainment not already authorized
• Organizing special events, pop-ups, or other programming that changes typical operations
In accepting applications, staff will focus on potential noise disturbances (especially to nearby residential units), conflicting noise, hiring of private security and security plans, management of ingress and egress, and the ability for Police and Fire to respond if needed, as required by the Napa Municipal Code.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
Authorization of this item would allow City staff to assess a fee of $250 for special event permit applications.
CEQA:
The Community Resources and Development Director has determined that the Recommended Action described in this Staff report to confirm staff’s authority to process temporary use permits as already authorized by the Municipal Code, is not subject to CEQA, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c). Staff’s processing of the temporary use permits will be individually subject to CEQA at the time that any application is processed by City staff. It is likely that these applications will be subject to CEQA Guideline 15301 as the permitting of existing private facilities with a negligible expansion of use. However, CEQA analysis will be conducted at the time each application is processed.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
None
NOTIFICATION:
Downtown Napa Association