Ojai City Council reviews limits on placing chairs in public right-of-way ahead of Fourth of July

The Ojai City Council on June 11 held a special-session concept review on whether to limit placement of chairs and other personal property in the public right-of-way around Fourth of July celebrations.

The city manager told the council staff could remove items that obstruct the right-of-way but preferred a public policy decided by the council. He said the concern came from longer and earlier placement of chairs in recent years and noted safety and maintenance burdens: if chairs are knocked into travel lanes or left unattended, they can create hazards and added work for public works crews. The manager said staff would work with the city attorney and return with options.

Resident Gail Burch, a longtime attendee of the city's parade, told the council the chairs are part of the town's character and thanked the council for listening. "I have never brought a chair with me," she said, describing the chairs as a nostalgic part of the event.

A commenter who identified herself as Carol urged delaying how early chairs may be placed, saying a mid-June timing would be acceptable and that very early placement felt excessive. Several council members and staff responded by discussing competing goals: preserving a local tradition while maintaining ADA clearances, ensuring sidewalks and travel lanes remain unobstructed, and limiting the burden on public works.

Council members discussed a one-week or two-week advance window for chair placement, owner responsibility for keeping chairs out of the right-of-way while they are in place, removal of chairs that obstruct pedestrian or vehicle access, and a public-communications push (Facebook and Nextdoor) to notify residents. The city manager also floated a no-fee reservation or permit idea that would map parade-route spots and could include taped or reserved spaces; staff cautioned coordination with Caltrans and that ADA width requirements must be respected.

Council directed staff to draft several options for a future public meeting and agreed to release a social-media advisory that night warning residents that chairs creating an impediment may be removed. The council discussed holding a short special meeting to consider the draft policy; members identified June 16 at 6 p.m. as a likely date for continuation of the chairs item.

The council did not take a formal vote on policy at the June 11 meeting; instead, members asked staff to prepare policy options, analyze legal/ADA constraints and return with a draft for council review.