ORDINANCE NO. 1573 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, AMENDING APACHE JUNCTION CITY CODE VOLUME I, BY REPEALING CHAPTER 8: BUSINESS, ARTICLE 8-8: REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMUNITY AND CIVIC EVENTS, IN ITS ENTIRETY; AND ADOPTING BY REFERENCE A NEW CHAPTER 8: BUSINESS, ARTICLE 8-8: SPECIAL EVENTS; AS MORE FULLY DETAILED IN THAT CERTAIN DOCUMENT TITLED "2026 AMENDMENTS TO THE APACHE JUNCTION CITY CODE, VOLUME I, CHAPTER 8: BUSINESS; ARTICLE 8-8: SPECIAL EVENTS; REPEALING ANY CONFLICTING PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the mayor and city council on September 19, 2017 adopted an amended version of Apache Junction City Code, Chapter 8: Business, Article 8-8: Requirements for Community and Civic Events by Ordinance No. 1450; and WHEREAS, the City of Apache Junction parks and recreation department and the special event task force recently conducted a comprehensive review of the current code to evaluate its effectiveness and alignment with current city special event administrative practices; and WHEREAS, staff concluded the existing event code provisions are outdated and do not adequately address the range, size and complexity of events now occurring within the city; and WHEREAS, a unified and updated special event code is necessary to clearly define event types, improve interdepartmental coordination, enhance public safety standards and ensure accessibility and accountability for event organizers; and WHEREAS, the proposed repeal and replacement of the existing code will : a) establish a comprehensive framework that encompasses all aspects of event planning and permitting; b) streamline the review process; and c) better enhance resident, visitor and event organizer event experience in the city; and WHEREAS, on May 5, 2025, a council work session was held to discuss possible changes needed to the current code; and WHEREAS, on May 20, 2025, the mayor and city council directed city staff to proceed with updating the event code; and WHEREAS, on November 4, 2025, a council meeting was held to discuss staff’s recommendations; and WHEREAS, A.R.S. § 9-802 permits municipalities to enact the provisions of a code or public record theretofore in existence without setting forth such provisions in full text as long as the adopting ordinance is published in full text and at least one paper copy of the code changes or public record are filed in the office of the clerk of the municipality and one electronic copy is accessible on the city’s website and made available for public inspection. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1 IN GENERAL 1. Existing Apache Junction City Code, Volume I, Chapter 8: Business, Article 8-8: Requirements for Community and Civic Events, is hereby repealed in its entirety and is replaced with new provisions noted below in #2. 2. That certain document containing the amended Chapter 8, Article 8-8 code provisions relating to special events, titled “2026 Amendments to the Apache Junction City Code, Volume I, Chapter 8: Business, Article 8-8: Special Events”, of which one paper copy is on file with the city clerk’s office and one electronic copy if accessible on the City’s website (www.apachejunctionaz.gov), which document was made a public record by Resolution No. 25-38 of the City of Apache Junction, is hereby referred to, adopted and made a part hereof as if fully set out in this ordinance, pursuant to A.R.S. § 9-802. SECTION II REPEALING ANY CONFLICTING ORDINANCES All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance or any part of the codes adopted herein by reference are hereby repealed. SECTION III PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY If any section, subsection, sentence, phrase, clause or portion of this ordinance or any part of the codes or regulations adopted herein by reference is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions thereof. SECTION IV PROVIDING FOR PENALITIES Any violation of the provisions adopted herein shall be punishable as a class one misdemeanor consistent with Apache Junction City Code, Volume I, Chapter I: General, Article 1-1: General, § 1-1-11, Penalty. SECTION VI ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE The provisions of this ordinance shall take effect on February 1, 2026. PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA, THIS 16th DAY OF DECEMBER, 2025. SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 16TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 2025. WALTER “CHIP” WILSON Mayor ATTEST: EVIE MCKINNEY City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: 12-8-25 RICHARD J. STERN City Attorney Pub: Dec 24, 25, 26, 27, 2025