CITY OF LANCASTER
MEMORIALS ON PUBLIC SPACES POLICY AND PROCEDURE
Subject:Removal of memorials from parks grounds, public spaces, City assets, and public right-of-way
Policy #:________
Date:9/9/2025
Departments:PARCS and Public Works
Approved by:
1. PREAMBLE
To avoid hazards to parks visitors and damage to equipment, memorials placed in parks grounds, City of Lancaster-owned parking lots, parks perimeter sidewalks, and other public spaces will be limited in duration.
Additionally, to avoid traffic hazards to motorists and pedestrians caused by visual distraction and obstruction, roadside memorials placed within the right-of-way will be limited in duration.
This policy will define the procedures for the removal of memorials from City of Lancaster parks grounds, public spaces, City assets, and public right- of-way.
2. PURPOSE
a. To afford citizens a reasonable opportunity to express their grief and condolences when tragedies occur.
b. To establish regulations for the acceptable contents and duration of memorials on City property, parks grounds, public spaces, City assets and public right-of-way.
c. To provide standards for City of Lancaster staff in maintaining City property, parks grounds, public spaces, city assets, and public right- of-way.
d. To allow the City of Lancaster to properly and safely maintain parks grounds, public spaces, City assets, and public right-of-way when such memorials are present.
3. DEFINITIONS
a. “Memorial” means the placement, without a written agreement or other formal action approved by the City of Lancaster City Council for their permanent or long-term placement, of any type of materials on public property in memory of, or as tribute to, a victim of a tragic event.
b. “Public spaces” means parks grounds, parks parking lots, parks perimeter sidewalks, City of Lancaster facilities and their perimeters, public right-of-way, and any other public spaces or property owned, leased, or controlled by the City of Lancaster.
c. “Right-of-way” means any street, avenue, boulevard, road, highway, sidewalk, alley or easement that is owned, leased, or controlled by the City of Lancaster.
d. “City asset” means any asset owned and maintained by the city of Lancaster. Examples include, but are not limited to, signs, poles, utility boxes, walls, fences, trees.
e. “Memorial display period” means five (5) calendar days from the date on which the first item is placed at the memorial site as verified by City of Lancaster staff, their representative, inspection log, or initial report of placement.
4. POLICY
a. Memorials shall not interfere with the safe operation of City facilities, public right-of-way, and other public spaces, routine maintenance service activities of the City of Lancaster which include, but are not limited to, landscaping, mowing, irrigation maintenance, painting, tree removal, street maintenance activities, debris removal, or related maintenance services activities. If memorials interfere, they shall be removed immediately and without notice.
b. Memorials shall not be permitted in any construction or maintenance zone.
c. Memorials will be allowed to remain on public property only for the Memorial Display Period time as defined in Section 3.e. of this Policy. Memorials may be removed and disposed of by the City of Lancaster at any time thereafter, unless earlier removal is required per Section 5 of this policy.
d. All items placed at a temporary memorial that remain after the Memorial Display Period ends shall be considered abandoned, shall immediately become the property of the City of Lancaster, and may be removed and disposed of in any manner at the City’s sole discretion.
e. Persons who place any item at a memorial are unequivocally indicating that they do not intend to retain the item and that it may be discarded by the City per the procedure of this policy. The City of Lancaster shall not be responsible for the loss, damage, or theft of any item placed at a memorial.
f. Prior to the removal of a memorial, and five (5) days prior to the expiration of the Memorial Display Period, the City of Lancaster shall post in a conspicuous place near the memorial a notice reading substantially as follows: CITY OF LANCASTER – NOTICE OF INTENT TO REMOVE AND DISCARD MEMORIAL – DATE TO
BE REMOVED______ - POLICY # ______
g. Upon discovery of a memorial, the City shall complete the following steps:
i. Take a photograph of the memorial; the photo shall include date, time, and GPS location
ii. Post a notice in a conspicuous place that includes a date when the memorial will be removed by the City
iii. Once the Memorial Display Period expires, the City shall remove the memorial
5. STANDARDS FOR MEMORIALS
a. Memorials shall not cause unsafe conditions to park visitors, pedestrians, motorists, equipment, or the public at large. b. Memorials shall not include any drugs or alcohol or contain vulgar or obscene language or images.
c. Memorials shall not emit lights, music, or amplified sound. d. Memorials shall not damage or deface public property or right-of-way and shall not be affixed to any City asset.
e. Memorials which contain candles (or other items with the potential for an open flame), as well as glass items that can shatter including, but not limited to glass vases or glass containers, are prohibited. f. Memorials which contain items deemed to be a threat to the public’s health, safety, or welfare are prohibited.
g. Memorials that violate any of the requirements stated in Sections 5.a. through 5.f. shall be removed immediately without notice at the discretion of the PARCS or Public Works Directors or their designee.