City of Signal Hill Policy
DATE: May 12, 2026
REVISION NO.: 003
Request for Modified Fee or Fee Waiver Request for Use of City Facilities
4.16 APPROVED:__________
DEPARTMENT:
Parks, Recreation and Library Services
PURPOSE
To establish parameters for reducing or waiving fees associated with the temporary use of City of Signal Hill (“City”) facilities.
DEFINITIONS
The following definitions apply for purposes of this Policy:
Department: Shall refer to the City’s Parks, Recreation and Library Services Department.
Facility or Facilities: Land or a building or room owned, leased, or operated by the City of Signal Hill.
Schedule of Fees and Charges: Shall refer to the City’s annually adopted master schedule of fees.
Staffing Fees: Shall refer to costs associated with set-up, tear down and facility monitoring by staff prior to, during and/or after rental of the Facility.
GENERAL POLICY
The City recognizes the value of working with and supporting organizations, programs and groups to provide services and resources that benefit the Signal Hill community, that the City would otherwise provide or is unable to provide. In an effort to provide support for these organizations, the City may reduce or waive Facility use fees for eligible groups that meet the eligible criteria established in this Policy.
Fees for the temporary use of City Facilities are established annually by the City Council and set forth in a Schedule of Fees and Charges. Requests for a reduction or wavier of Facility fees is subject to the review and approval the Parks and Recreation Commission (“Commission”). Staffing Fees can only be reduced or waived upon City Council approval.
Eligibility Criteria for Fee Waiver or Fee Reduction:
The group is considered in good standing with the City, which includes but is not limited to, having no outstanding fees, or debts overdue with the City and documented history of compliance with previous City Facility use policies and procedures.
The event or program is consistent with the City’s mission, values and objectives.
There are no detrimental impacts on the existing facilities or City activities.
There is a public benefit to Signal Hill residents.
Program or event is non-discriminatory and non-political nature.
Primary mission of organization is philanthropic and/or service-driven for the benefit of the community.
Event or program is open to the public at no charge.
Not Eligible for Fee Waiver or Fee Reduction:
Political activities and supporting or endorsing any candidate for office, ballot measure, or other political measure.
Commercial events.
Corporate events.
Private family or social gatherings.
Trainings that charge for participation.
Events that provide no community benefit.
Projects or organizations that have failed to fulfill their obligations during previous events or activities for which facility permit fees were waived or reduced.
Profit will be made from the event by the permitting organization or by any other private individual or business.
Commercial or for-profit individual, group or organization.
Event, program or activity that, as determined by the City, substantially strains available City resources, such as but not limited to: staffing, materials, equipment, and services.
Program, event, or meeting that references drug-use, drug paraphernalia, gambling, sex, adult oriented business, explicit language, or material.
Eligible Organizations:
The categories of eligible organizations, programs, or groups are as follows:
Official City Partner/City Affiliated Organization
An official affiliate is an organization or individual that has a formal agreement or Memorandum of Understanding with the City.
Intergovernmental Groups/Government Agencies
A governmental entity (city, county, state, federal or special district); The use of the Facility is related to the performance of the agency’s governmental duties; and The program or event provides a public benefit to City residents.
Resident Non-Profit
Organization resides within City or at least 51% of the organization’s voting board is made up of City residents; and Submits documentation demonstrating either of the foregoing.
Non-Resident, Non-Profit
Organization resides outside of City or is a non-profit; Submits documentation demonstrating the foregoing or its non-profit status; and Program or event is open to the entire public at no charge; and Program or event provides a valuable benefit to Signal Hill residents.
Schools and School Groups
Public schools located within the Long Beach Unified School District, private schools located within the City, or City of Long Beach, or home schools located in the City serving students K-12; and Any school-based clubs, boosters, social or sports groups that support students that live in the City. School groups must provide a letter from their school identifying the group as an official group, as well as insurance coverage from the school.
Civic Organizations/Groups
A group or organizations that seeks to improve the community and promote social welfare.
Possible examples of civic organizations/groups include, but are not limited to:
Local Community Service Clubs
Social Service Groups
Membership/Recreation Groups
Community Group without official Non-Profit Status
Homeowners Association/Neighborhood Associations
Entity resides within the City or is comprised of at least 51% of City residents.
Types of Fees
The following list defines established fees that can and cannot be waived.
Eligible Fees for Waiver or Reduction
Facility use/reservation fees
Staffing Fees (Per City Council approval)
Jumpers and bouncer permit fee
Fees Not Eligible for Waiver or Reduction
Facility use application fees
Refundable damage deposit
Light usage fees
Cleaning fee
Change fees
Security costs
Maintenance costs
Liquor license
Food/health permits fees
Business license fees
Insurance/indemnification fees
REQUEST FOR FACILITY FEE REDUCTION OR WAIVER
Process for Requesting Facility Fee Waiver or Reduction The Commission reviews requests for the reduction or waiver of Facilities fees. In order to request a waiver or reduction, an applicant must:
Submit an applicable Facility Use Application;
Submit a Fee Waiver/Reduction Request Form;
Submit a Letter of Intent;
Pay the application fee (non-refundable) and damage deposit (refundable) at least sixty (60) calendar days before the event date in order to hold the date. Requests can be made up to six (6) months in advance.; and Submit organizational documents demonstrating the group’s eligibility for a fee/waiver reduction based on the criteria set forth in Section III(C) above.
After all required payments and documents have been received by the Department, the date will be held for the group. The request shall be reviewed by the Commission at one of its upcoming two regularly scheduled Commission meetings. It is advisable that the applicant appear at such meeting to respond to questions from the Commission.
The applicant will be notified in writing of the Commission’s decision within seventy-two (72) hours after the decision is rendered.
Process for Requesting Staff Fee Waiver or Reduction
The waiver or reduction of Staff Fees is only be available upon City Council approval. In order to request a waiver or reduction, an applicant must follow the same process for requesting a Facility fee waiver or reduction set forth in Section IV(A) above, and include the request in the letter of intent.
After all required payments and documents have been received by the Department, the date will be held for the group. The request shall be reviewed by the City Council at one of its upcoming two regularly scheduled City Council meetings. It is advisable that the applicant appear at such meeting to respond to questions from the City Council.
The applicant will be notified in writing of City Council’s decision within seventy-two (72) hours after the decision is referred.
DEPOSITS
No refundable damage deposit shall be waived for any individual or organization.
GENERAL USE REQUIREMENTS
All established rules and regulations, policies and procedures contained in the Facility Use Policy (4.9) shall apply to groups with reduced or waived fees.
The frequency of use at each Facility shall not exceed a total of once per month for any group as stated in the Facility Use Policy (4.9).
Groups approved for fee reductions or waivers shall not receive an automatic renewal of waiver, nor shall the approval of fee reductions or waivers imply a monopoly of the Facility.
City sponsored programs have priority for Facility use.
Any reservation may be cancelled by the City. In the event of such cancellation, notice shall be given as far in advance of the scheduled usage as possible, and a full refund shall be made.
APPEAL
All decisions of the Commission may be appealed to the City Council for review within ten (10) calendar days from the date of the City’s notification of such decision to applicant. If the City Council finds that the Commission’s interpretation of the provisions of this Policy for an appealed request are not consistent with the Policy and/or its intent or are not in the best interest of the community, the City Council may overturn the decision of the Commission. The City Council’s decision shall be final. 55728.00001\44981022.2
Park, Recreation and Library Services Policy
Waiver of Fee’s for City Facilities
4.16 Page PAGE 3 of 6
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