8A
Date: July 21, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Ted Stevens, Community Services Director
By: Glenn Harper, Management Aide | [email protected] Shirene Grant, Sr. Program Specialist | [email protected] Subject: Community Services - Approve a one-time exemption to the Torrance Municipal Code (TMC) Article 2, Section 49.2.1 regarding hours of Operation for the Pakistan Chamber of Commerce Event at Charles H. Wilson Park. Expenditure: None.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation of the Community Services Director that City Council approve a one-time exemption to the Torrance Municipal Code (TMC) Article 2, Section 49.2.1 regarding an exemption to hours of Operation for the Pakistan Chamber of Commerce Event on Friday, August 7th, Saturday, August 8th, and Sunday, August 9th at Charles H. Wilson Park, 2200 Crenshaw Boulevard.
FUNDING
None required.
DISCUSSION
The Pakistan American Chamber of Commerce located at 1015 E. Chapman Ave, Suite C Fullerton, CA, has been an active part of the Los Angeles area Pakistani community for several years. On Thursday, March 25th, a representative from the Pakistan Chamber of Commerce, who is also a Torrance business owner, approached staff to obtain a CSD special event permit for a Pakistan Independence Day Festival to be held on August 8th, 2026, at Charles H. Wilson Park from 5:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M.
Seeing that the Farmers Market is occurring that same day, the event coordinator is requesting to proceed with the event set up the day prior to, and following the event hours specified on the application, overlapping with park hours of operation per the Torrance Municipal Code (Attachment 1). The portion of the code that applies is in Article 2, Section 49.2.1, which states, "All parks shall be open to the public between the hours of 6:00 A.M. and 10:00 P.M. No person shall enter or remain in any park between the hours of 10:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M., except when engaged in an activity scheduled or expressly permitted by the City.” Event preparation shall proceed on August 7th, the night prior to the event, starting at 5:00 P.M., to set up the necessary equipment such as tents and stages required for inspection the morning 1 City Council
July 21, 2026
of the event, August 8th. With the event ending at 11:00 P.M. on August 8th and breakdown starting shortly after, the event coordinator is expected to finish at 5:00 A.M. on August 9th. Event preparation, the event itself, and the event breakdown all fall outside of the hours allowed per the Municipal Code.
Staff have reviewed the special event application, met with the event coordinator and have determined the following:
1. The Farmers Market, also scheduled for Saturday, August 8th, will significantly limit the time available for event setup on the day of the event. As a result, the event coordinator has identified that setting up the evening prior, on Friday, August 7th, is essential to ensure all necessary equipment is installed to minimize the impact to community members at the park.
2. Post-event breakdown is expected to conclude Sunday, August 9th by 5:00 A.M., allowing the park to be cleared for public use by its opening at 6:00 A.M. This would ensure that there is continued access for community members who want to enjoy the park on Sunday or who might have park reservations on the fields where the event was held.
3. An exemption to the standard park hours will provide sufficient time for both setup and breakdown for the event coordinators, while also reducing the impact on the community.
4. There shall be no sound checks or amplified sound except during the previously approved event time frame of 4:00 P.M.to 11:00 P.M.
5. The event coordinator must notify occupied structures within a 300 ft radius of the park regarding the after-hours activity.
6. If approved, City staff will coordinate with the event coordinator to ensure all activities related to setup and breakdown at Fields 1 & 2 at Charles H. Wilson Park are conducted safely, securely, and with minimal disruption. Community members in the area will also be notified that this is taking place.
Therefore, it is the recommendation of the Community Services Director that City Council approve a one-time exemption to the Torrance Municipal Code (TMC) Section 49.2.1, to provide an extension of hours of operation on Friday, August 7th, Saturday August 8th and Sunday August 9th at Charles H. Wilson Park, 2200 Crenshaw Boulevard.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Torrance Municipal Code - Article 2, Section 49.2.1 - Hours of Operation
2. Pakistan Chamber of Commerce special event permit application 2 CHAPTER 9
CONDUCT IN PUBLIC PARKS
Revised 2/26
ARTICLE 1 - DEFINITIONS
(Added by O-3025)
49.1.1 DEFINITIONS.
(Amended by O-3743)
For the purpose of this Chapter, certain words are defined as follows:
a) "Director" means the Community Services Director. b) "Park" means a park, playground, swimming pool, playing field, median parkway in a street right-of-way, court, restroom and any other area or facility owned or leased by the City, or for which the City has the right to possession, which is devoted to active or passive recreation uses except the beach as defined in Section 44.1.3 of this Code. The definition of park includes the grassy areas and walkways surrounding Benstead Plunge, all walkways adjacent to a park, and parking lots associated with a park.
ARTICLE 2 - USE OF PARKS
Revised 2/26
49.2.1 HOURS OF OPERATION.
All parks shall be open to the public between the hours of 6:00 A.M. and 10:00 P.M. No person shall enter or remain in any park between the hours of 10:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M., except when engaged in an activity scheduled or expressly permitted by the City.
49.2.2 FIRES PROHIBITED IN PARKS.
(Amended by O-3933)
a) No person shall make or kindle a fire in a park for any purpose, except in barbecues provided by the City for the purpose of preparing food.
b) No person shall use any fuel in the provided barbecues other than charcoal briquettes designed for food preparation.
c) Charcoal briquettes may be lit by lighter, match, or spark. No person shall use any added accelerant, lighter fluid, flammable substances or materials, or use any tinder, kindling, or fuel such as wood, grass, paper, debris, or similar substance or material to light or maintain charcoal briquettes. d) This Section shall not
The Torrance Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 3966, passed May 19, 2026.
Torrance Municipal Code
CHAPTER 9 CONDUCT IN PUBLIC PARKS Revised 2/26
Page
1 of
5 3
ATTACHMENT 1
i) Prohibit sidewalk vending operations pursuant to a permit issued by the Finance Director under Chapter 14, Sidewalk Vendors, of Division 4, Public Health and Welfare; ii) Prohibit permitted Torrance Certified Farmers’ Market operations under Chapter 12, Torrance Certified Farmers’ Market, of Division 4, Public Health and Welfare; or iii) Prohibit activity allowed by permit issued by the City Manager or their designee.
49.2.3 AREAS RESTRICTED.
No person shall enter an area in a park posted as CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC, nor shall any person use, or abet the use of, any area in violation of posted notices.
49.2.4 USE OF RESTROOMS.
No person over the age of eight (8) years shall use restrooms or washroom designated for the opposite sex.
49.2.5 RECREATION SWIMMING.
No person shall swim, bathe or wade in the water of any fountain, pond, lake or stream in a park except as wading and swimming shall be permitted in pools designated for these purposes.
49.2.6 CONSUMPTION AND POSSESSION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. (Amended by O-3683)
a) No person shall consume any alcoholic beverage at any time in any City park. This Section shall not apply where the consumption is within premises for which a permit has been issued by the Director as provided in Article 3.
b) No person shall possess any bottle, can or other receptacle containing any alcoholic beverage which has been opened, or a seal broken, or the contents of which have been partially removed, at any time in any City park. This Section shall not apply where the possession is within premises for which a permit has been issued by the Director as provided in Article 3 or where the possession is solely for the purpose of recycling. c) Any person violating subsection (a) will be guilty of a misdemeanor. d) Any person violating subsection (b) will be guilty of an infraction as provided in Section 25620 of the California Business and Professions Code.
49.2.7 USE OF PARKS.
Revised 2/26
(Added by O-3406; Amended by O-3963)
a) No person shall play upon, use, occupy, or participate in any activity, including but not limited to skating, skateboarding, or riding or driving any bicycle, motor scooter, motorcycle, or other vehicle, or permit others to The Torrance Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 3966, passed May 19, 2026.
Torrance Municipal Code
CHAPTER 9 CONDUCT IN PUBLIC PARKS Revised 2/26
Page
2 of
5 4
play upon, use, occupy, or participate in any activity, including but not limited to skating, skateboarding, or riding or driving any bicycle, motor scooter, motorcycle, or other vehicle, in or upon a park, park facility, playground, court, pool or structure, in a manner not intended for such play, use, occupancy, or participation. b) No person shall disturb, displace, or move any building, monument, sign, fence, bench, structure, apparatus, equipment, nor shall any person cut, remove, injure, or destroy, any tree, plant, shrub, bloom or flower, or any portion thereof, wood, turf, grass, soil, rock, sand or gravel or other property in any park, playground, court, pool or structure. This subsection (b) shall not apply to a duly authorized city employee or city contractor in performance of their duties.
c) No person shall erect, construct, equip, build, form, use, transport, or otherwise cause to exist, any skate, skateboard, bicycle, motorcycle, or other vehicle, or pedestrian ramp, jump, or other similar structures in any park, playground, court, pool or structure, including park parking lots and adjacent sidewalks or roadways. d) Vehicles or equipment of the City or of a contractor employed by the City shall not be prohibited from driving or operating within any park, playground, court, pool or structure in the normal course of maintenance, construction or repair.
e) No person shall ride a class 3 electric bicycle, as defined by California Vehicle Code section 312.5, and as may be subsequently amended by State law, in any park, playground, court, pool or structure.
49.2.8 PARKING OF VEHICLES, CARTS, ETC. FROM WHICH FOOD PRODUCTS OR MERCHANDISE ARE SOLD.
(Added by O-3665)
a) Except as otherwise provided below, no person may stand or park any vehicle, wagon or pushcart from which goods, wares, merchandise, fruits, vegetables or food products are sold, displayed, solicited, offered for sale, bartered or exchanged, on any portion of any park or park parking lot within this City except that such vehicles, wagons or pushcarts may stand or park only at the request of a bona fide purchaser for an amount of time not to exceed twenty (20) minutes at any one park or park parking lot during any twenty-four (24) hour period.
b) No person may stand or park any vehicle, wagon or pushcart from which goods, wares, merchandise, fruits, vegetables or food products are sold, displayed, solicited, offered for sale, bartered or exchanged, on any portion of Wilson Park or the Wilson Park parking lot on the following days: Tuesdays from 6:00 A.M. through 2:00 P.M., Saturdays from 6:00 A.M. through 2:00 P.M., the fourth of July, the day of the Halloween Carnival, the day of the Spring Boutique, and the day of the Holiday Boutique.
c) This Section does not apply to participants of the Torrance Farmer’s Market or other City-sponsored events.
49.2.9 PARKING OF VEHICLES IN PUBLIC PARKS AND PARKING LOTS SERVICING PUBLIC PARKS The Torrance Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 3966, passed May 19, 2026.
Torrance Municipal Code
CHAPTER 9 CONDUCT IN PUBLIC PARKS Revised 2/26
Page
3 of
5 5
BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 10 P.M. AND 6 A.M.
(Added by O-3693)
a) No person shall stop, stand, or park any vehicle in any Public Park or Park Parking lot servicing the Park or attached thereto between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Violators will be subject to citation, towing, or both.
Violators will be towed at owner’s expense.
b) All Public Parks and Park parking lots must be posted to provide notice of parking prohibition and consequential towing. The prohibition will not be effective unless the required signs are posted. c) The prohibition in subsection (a) does not apply to those vehicles parked in Public Parks or Park parking lots approved by a City department with jurisdiction over the Park or Park parking lot for an event approved by such a department allowing parking between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Every vehicle so approved shall display a permit issued by such a department in the bottom left hand corner of the front windshield. d) Any vehicle found parked in a Public Park or Park parking lot between the prohibited hours listed in subsection (a) will be cited, towed at the owner’s expense, or both.
49.2.10 SPECIAL EVENTS AT WILSON PARK.
(Added by O-3709)
a) No dogs are allowed in posted areas of Wilson Park or the Wilson Park parking lot during Special Events.
This prohibition will not apply to service dogs or police dogs. b) Special Events are defined as the following days: Tuesdays from 6:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m., Saturdays from 6:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m., the Fourth of July, the day of the Halloween Carnival, the day of the Spring Boutique, and the day of the Holiday Boutique.
c) Any person who violates subsection (a) will be guilty of an infraction.
49.2.11 SMOKING PROHIBITED IN PARKS.
(Added by O-3743; Amended by O-3827)
a) For the purpose of this Section, the following definitions govern:
1) "Smoke or smoking" means inhaling, exhaling, burning or carrying any lighted or heated cigar, cigarette, pipe, or any other lighted or heated tobacco or plant product intended for inhalation, whether natural or synthetic, in any manner or in any form. "Smoking" includes the use of an electronic smoking device that creates an aerosol or vapor, in any manner or in any form, or the use of any oral smoking device for the purpose of circumventing the prohibition of smoking.
The Torrance Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 3966, passed May 19, 2026.
Torrance Municipal Code
CHAPTER 9 CONDUCT IN PUBLIC PARKS Revised 2/26
Page
4 of
5 6
2) "Tobacco product" means any of the following:
A) A product containing, made, or derived from tobacco or nicotine that is intended for human consumption, whether smoked, heated, chewed, absorbed, dissolved, inhaled, snorted, sniffed, or ingested by any other means, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, little cigars, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco or snuff.
B) An electronic device that delivers nicotine or other vaporized liquids to the person inhaling from the device, including, but not limited to, an electronic cigarette, cigar, pipe, or hookah.
C) Any component, part, or accessory of a tobacco product, whether or not sold separately. 3) "Cigar" means the same as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 104550. 4) "Cigarette" means the same as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 104556. b) Smoking a pipe, cigar, cigarette, or any other tobacco product in any park, or using or consuming any tobacco-related product, is prohibited and is unlawful, unless it is done by an actor for filming purposes, pursuant to a permit issued by the City of Torrance.
c) Disposing of pipe residue, cigar butts, cigarette butts or any other tobacco-related waste in a park is prohibited and is unlawful.
d) It is unlawful for any person to intimidate, threaten any reprisal, or effect any reprisal, for the purpose of retaliating against another person who seeks to attain compliance with this section. e) Any person who violates this section is guilty of an infraction and subject to a fine of up to $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second violation within one year, and $500 for a third or subsequent violation within one year. Punishment under this section does not preclude punishment pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Section 13002, Section 374.4 of the California Penal Code, or any other provision of law proscribing the act of littering.
The Torrance Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 3966, passed May 19, 2026.
Torrance Municipal Code
CHAPTER 9 CONDUCT IN PUBLIC PARKS Revised 2/26
Page
5 of
5 7
8 ATTACHMENT 2
9 10
11 12
13 14
15 16
17 18
19 20
21