City Council and Authorities Concurrent
May 26, 2026

5/26/2026 Item # 6
City CouncilAction on Adoption of a Resolution Designating the FIFA World Cup 2026 Special Event Zone and Special Event Time Period Pursuant to the City’s Special Event Zone OrdinanceElizabeth Klotz, Assistant City ManagerAgenda Item #6, (RTC # 26-360)May 26, 20261 Background •Since opening in 2014, the Stadium has hosted major national and international events including Super Bowl 50 (2016), College Football Playoffs National Championship (2019), and now SBLX (2026).•Historical challenges: congestion, unpermitted vending, counterfeit goods, emergency access constraints•Special Event Zone Ordinance was adopted on December 16, 2025 to create a framework for future special events. Staff has narrowed the scope to apply only to Super Bowl LX, allowing the City to revisit FIFA-related restrictions later when those operational plans are more developed.2 1 2
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Special Event Ordinance Framework•Allows Council to designate a Special Event, geographic zone and activation period by Resolution.–Resolution activates but does not amend the existing ordnance •FIFA World Cup 2026 (FWC26) is explicitly identified as a Special Event •Temporary regulations apply only during the designated event period and inside approved Special Event Zone boundary. 3 Key Elements of the Ordinance•Pause on Sidewalk Vending Permits: Permits issued under Chapter 5.05 within the Zone are paused during activation; permits remain valid citywide outside the Zone.•Prohibition on Outdoor Food/Beverage Sales: Prevents temporary or pop-up food/beverage vendors visible from public rights-of-way except where sales are part of a business’s normal, properly permitted operations.•Prohibition on Outdoor Merchandise Sales: Ensures only authorized and properly permitted businesses may sell merchandise outdoors, reducing counterfeit goods and unregulated activity.•Ban on Mobile-Unit Vending and Advertising: Prohibits vending or advertising using vehicles, trailers, carts, or wheeled units not fixed to a foundation.•Restrictions on Product Sampling/Giveaways: Limits promotional street activity that may attract crowds or create congestion, while allowing coupon distribution on private property by businesses located inside the building.•Temporary Structure Permits Required: Any temporary structure on non-residential property, such as tents, canopies, or temporary membrane structures, must be tied to a City-issued Temporary Use Permit to ensure safety and compliance.4 3 4
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Why Special Event Regulations Matter?•Support Public Safety: Maintain emergency access, reduce crowding, and protect public health.•Manage Event Impacts: Address growing event size, complexity, and operational needs.•Improve Mobility: Enable safe, efficient movement for attendees, residents, vehicles, and transit.•Strengthen Coordination: Support security, logistics and emergency response.•Reduce Unpermitted Activity: Deter counterfeit goods, unsafe vending, and unauthorized sales.•Protect Community Quality of Life: Minimize disruption and maintain a safe, welcoming environment.5 Lessons Learned: SBLX •Operational impacts concentrated near Levi’s Stadium –With Great America Parkway and Tasman Drive experiencing highest pedestrian volumes –Unpermitted vending affected pedestrian circulation during ingress/egress •Enforcement (Partnered field teams - code enforcement (CDD/DPW), Police Department, and event partners) –4 notices for unpermitted signage–3 food vendors and 14 merchandise vendors redirected or stopped •Simplified ordinance language improved understanding and compliance voluntary. 6 5 6
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7 FWC26 Recommended Zone Boundary 8
Smaller, Focused Footprint Near Stadium
Prioritizes Great America Parkway and Tasman Drive
Supports Emergency Response, Ingress/Egress, Transit, and Circulation Minimizes Temporary Impacts on Surrounding Neighborhoods and Businesses 7 8
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Proposed FWC26 Map9
SBLX Map 10
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FWC26 Special Event Zone Time Period •Activation is proposed from June 12, 2026 at 8:00 PM through July 2, 2026 at 6:00 AM•Continuous activation recommended across tournament period •Avoids enforcement gaps between match dates•Supports consistent public communications and operations.11 City’s Enforcement Approach•Enforcement will follow a coordinated and tiered system led primarily by Code Enforcement, with support from the Police Department, and event security partners.•Violations involving mobile vending fall under Chapter 5.05, while all other violations use administrative penalty authority under §1.10.•Immediate abatement and seizure may occur for violations that pose safety risks or involve prohibited items.•Staff will lead an education-first approach before activation, including multilingual outreach and on-site engagement with small businesses and permitted vendors.12 11 12
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Community and Business Outreach•The City has launched a Special Event Zone webpage with Map, FAQs, timelines, and support resources.•Outreach tools include City email newsletters, social media updates, and direct coordination with business associations and business lists.•Direct emails will be sent to all businesses in the adopted zone and to every permitted mobile vendor citywide to ensure awareness and activation of the Ordinance for FWC26. 13 Recommendation14Adopt a Resolution designating the FIFA World Cup 2026 Special Event Zone and Special Event Time Period Pursuant to the City’s Special Event Zone Ordinance.13 14 5/26/2026 Item # 6
City CouncilAction on Adoption of a Resolution Designating the FIFA World Cup 2026 Special Event Zone and Special Event Time Period Pursuant to the City’s Special Event Zone OrdinanceElizabeth Klotz, Assistant City ManagerAgenda Item #6, (RTC # 26-360)May 26, 202615 Existing Sign Regulations Already Apply•Santa Clara City Code Chapter 18.42 (Sign Regulations) governs all permanent and temporary signs, including definitions, placement standards, and enforcement.•Section 18.42.080 broadly prohibits a wide range of sign types across the entire City unless explicitly allowed elsewhere, including:–Animated or moving signs–Inflatable signs–Portable or mobile signs (for example A-Frames)–Rooftop signs–Natural-feature-mounted signs–Nonconforming or unauthorized illuminated signs–Billboards and off-site advertising16 15 16
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Examples of Prohibited Signs 18.42.08017
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