TO: NAPA COUNTY ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
FROM: Jaksen Wilson for Brian D. Bordona - Planning, Building, Environmental Services Director
REPORT BY: Jaksen Wilson, Planner I
SUBJECT: Napa Valley Wicked Wine Run 2025
RECOMMENDATION
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Napa Valley Wicked Wine Run 2025 - Category 4 Temporary Event Application #P25-00228
CEQA Status: Ministerially Exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The project site is not included in the list of hazardous materials sites pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5.
Request: Approval of an application for Temporary Event License P25-00228 filed by Justin Ross of Wicked Wine Runs to hold Napa Valley Wicked Wine Run 2025. This event will be held on October 11, 2025, from 01:00pm-07:00pm with a maximum of 600 people in attendance. The event will feature a 5k running race, with a wine and food party event at the start and finish. This event is proposed to be held on two parcels located at 1 Kirkland Ranch Rd & 200 Kirkland Ranch Rd in American Canyon, CA, Assessor’s Parcel # 057-140-015 (parking, start line, & finish line) & # 057-140-016 (running course).
Staff Recommendation: Find that the project is Ministerially Exempt from CEQA and approve the Temporary Event Application.
Staff Contact: Jaksen Wilson, Planner I, (707) 253-4269 or Jaksen.wilson@countyofnapa.org
Applicant Contact: Justin Ross, Event Planner, Wicked Wine Runs, Justin@wickedwinerun.com
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
That the Zoning Administrator:
1. Find that the project is Ministerially Exempt from the CEQA; and
2. Approve the Temporary Event Category 4 License P25-00228.
Discussion: On August 11, 2025, Justin Ross applied for a permit for a Category 4 Temporary event to be held on Assessor’s Parcel # 057-140-015 (parking, start line, & finish line) & # 057-140-016 (running course) on October 11, 2025, for a maximum of 600 people from 01:00pm-07:00pm. The event will feature a 5k running race, with a wine and food party event at the start and finish. The event will be open to the public.
Unlike conditional use permits or other discretionary permits, temporary event permits are ministerial and shall be approved and issued if the minimum standards contained in the “Minimum Standards Table” of the Temporary Events Manual (the Minimum Standards) are met. Since the permit is ministerial, the purpose of the hearing is for the Zoning Administrator to evaluate and consider evidence regarding whether the applicant has demonstrated that the minimum standards have been met or are likely to have been met prior to the event. The Zoning Administrator cannot impose standards, conditions, or restrictions on the permit beyond what is provided in the Minimum Standards. As such, the public comment should be limited to whether the Minimum Standards have or have not been met or will likely be met before the event permit. Any permits, approvals or authorizations required from other agencies, departments, or divisions must be satisfied prior to the event.
Staff recommend approval of the request permit subject to compliance with County Code Chapter 5.36 and all applicable Minimum Standards in the Temporary Events Manual prior to the event.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: Pursuant to Napa County’s Local Procedures for Implementing the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Sections 15022 and 15268 of the State CEQA Guidelines issuance/approval of a temporary event license shall be conclusively presumed to be ministerially exempt from the requirements of CEQA and thus preparation of an environmental document is not required. The project site is not included on a list of hazardous materials sites complied pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Property Owner: RED HEN PROPERTIES LLC
Applicant/Representative: Justin Ross, Event Planner, Wicked Wine Runs, justin@wickedwinerun.com
General Plan Designation: Agriculture, Watershed, and Open Space (AWOS)
Zoning: Agricultural Watershed: Airport Compatibility Zone E (AW:AC)
Project Site Area: 69.00 acres (parking, start line, & finish line) & 216.16 acres (running course)
Application Submittal Date: August 11, 2025; Deemed Complete
Current Code Compliance History: There are not new violations on record with this proposed activity.
Discussion: The applicant, Justin Ross, requests a license to hold the Napa Valley Wicked Wine Run on October 11, 2025 with the event taking place on Assessor’s Parcel # 057-140-015 (parking, start line, & finish line) & # 057-140-016 (running course). The event will feature a 5k running race, with a wine and food party event at the start and finish. A maximum of 600 people will be in attendance and the event is open to the public. Hours of the event are 01:00pm-07:00pm. Per the venue site plans, ADA restrooms will be available for the public as required by the Minimum Standards.
Noise: Since the temporary event permits are ministerial, applicants are not required to submit a noise study for County review. Furthermore, County Code Section 5.36.010 exempts temporary events from the County’s noise standards, provided such events are conducted pursuant to a license issued pursuant to Chapter 5.36, respectively, of the code and then only as specifically required by such chapter of any manual of standards adopted by resolution of the Board of Supervisors for the purpose of implementing such chapter.
Permit/License Process: Since the event will have a maximum of 600 attendees, under County Code Section 5.35.015.G, it is considered a Category 4 event. This will be the first Category 4 event to occur on this parcel this year.
Event Authorization: County Code Sections 5.36.050.B requires a public hearing before the Zoning Administrator prior to issuance of a Category 4 license/permit. This Category 4 event meets the definition of a “temporary event” under County Code section 5.36.010, which means “…any festival, fair, show, house or garden design tour, concert, dance, rally, parade, demonstration of competition of creative athletic form, or any other gathering or assemblage of individuals for the purpose of observing or engaging in expressive activities within the ambit of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and Sections 2, 3, and 4 of Article 1 of the California Constitution, including, but not limited to music, dance, theater, speech, athletics, or any other visual, audio, or tactile arts, or combination thereof.”
Per County Code Section 5.36.050B, within thirty days following receipt of a completed application, a public hearing shall be scheduled before the Zoning Administrator on the Department’s recommendation. At least ten days prior to the hearing, notice shall be given to property owners within 1,000 feet, interested persons, and mailed to the property owners and emailed to interested parties. The Notice was published in the Napa Valley Register on September 11th, 2025.
The application was deemed complete per the County’s application checklist and the required Certificate of Insurance was provided. Other agencies and departments were notified of the application and have determined the application meets or will likely meet the Minimum Standards that are within those agencies and departments’ jurisdictional authority.
Public Comments: As of the date this report was released, no comments have been received.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
1. Attachment A - Application
2. Attachment B - Site Plan