TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Brian D. Bordona, Director - Planning, Building and Environmental Services
REPORT BY: Charlene Gallina, Supervising Planner
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Approving a Category 5 Temporary Event Application for the 2026 Auction Napa Valley (ANV) Event
RECOMMENDATION
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Conduct a public hearing to consider adoption of a Resolution approving a Category 5 Temporary Event application for the 2026 Auction Napa Valley event. (No Fiscal Impact)
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BACKGROUND
On November 19, 2025, Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) applied for a Category 5 Temporary Event for 2026 Auction Napa Valley events occurring between June 5, 2026, and June 7, 2026.
Pursuant to Chapter 5.36 of Napa County Code, when a Category 5 Temporary Event does not meet the criteria of a subsequent event, the Clerk of the Board must schedule a public hearing before the Board to consider adoption of a resolution approving the event.
Category 5 Temporary Event Criteria
Section 5.36.015(H) defines a Category 5 Temporary Event as an event and any related ancillary activities that:
1. Will occur no more frequently than once per year;
2. Is sponsored by a non-profit corporation in existence for a period of at least two decades during which it has furthered the general welfare of the residents of the county by providing over fifty million dollars to other non-profit groups or entities to fund health care, educational, housing or other charitable services to the needy within the County;
3. Whose sponsor has, during the period of its existence, regularly conducted similar annual events in the County for the purpose of raising funds for the charitable purposes previously described; and
4. Will be conducted for the purpose of continuing to raise funds for the charitable purposes previously described.
Auction Napa Valley, sponsored by the NVV, meets the applicable Category 5 criteria. NVV is a non-profit corporation in existence for a period of at least two decades during which it has furthered the general welfare of the residents of the County by providing over $250 million to non-profit groups or entities to fund youth mental health, healthcare, education, fire resilience, housing, and other inclusive community services. Auction Napa Valley has, during the period of its existence, regularly conducted similar annual events in the County for the purpose of raising funds for the charitable purposes previously described.
Original Category 5 Approval (2006)
In 2006, the Board of Supervisors created a new annual event permit, referred to as Category 5, to accommodate ongoing nonprofit events with specific qualification such as, but not exclusively, the Wine Auction. This Category 5 Temporary Event permit accommodated approval of a unique, multi-day event structure occurring across multiple locations. Auction Napa Valley submitted a letter to the Director of Conservation, Development and Planning on March 24, 2006, outlining the event schedule and locations. Activities included:
• Barrel Auction and Tasting at Trinchero Family Estates on June 2, 2006 (3,500 attendees);
• Breakfast and activities at COPIA on the morning of June 3, 2006 (1,000 attendees);
• The main Live Auction at Meadowood on June 2, 2006 (1,100 attendees);
• Ancillary activities were planned for 50 attendees.
On May 2, 2006, the Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution approving a Category 5 Temporary Event for the 2006 Auction Napa Valley event. (Attachment C)
Subsequent Events and Need for a New Resolution
Pursuant to the County's Temporary Events Ordinance (Napa County Code Chapter 5.36), subsequent Auction Napa Valley events that are of the same nature, substantially the same size and conducted in accordance with the time, place and manner restrictions imposed by the Board under the resolution would require prior written notice to the County of the event but would not require further review by the Board. However, if subsequent Auction Napa Valley events were to change substantially in size or nature, a new Category 5 application and review by the Board would be required.
Auction Napa Valley throughout the years has continued to host the Auction, as a subsequent Category 5 event. Staff met with NVV and notified NVV counsel that a new resolution would be required for the 2026 event on November 10, 2025. Since the adoption of Resolution No. 06-87 in 2006, the nature, specifically the location(s), of the event over the years, has changed substantially, which required the need to approve a new Category 5 resolution by the Board.
2026 Auction Napa Valley Event
On November 19, 2025, NVV applied for a Category 5 Temporary Event for the Auction Napa Valley 2026 events occurring between June 5, 2026, and June 7, 2026 (Attachment B). Proposed locations and activities include:
• Barrel Auction and Tasting at Robert Mondavi Winery on June 6, 2026 (approximately 1,200-1,500 attendees);
• Main Live Auction at Inglenook on June 7, 2026 (approximately 400 attendees);
• Ancillary activities limited to fewer than 50 attendees.
Staff recommend adoption of the proposed resolution to approve the 2026 event, subject to the updated time, place and manner restrictions (Attachment A). Staff are collaborating with NVV to ensure the event meets all applicable health and safety standards while streamlining the review process. Key reviewing departments include the California Highway Patrol, Napa County Sheriff, Emergency Medical Services, Public Works, Fire, and the Building and Environmental Health divisions within PBES.
Future Changes to the Temporary Events Ordinance
The temporary events landscape in Napa Valley has evolved significantly over the past two decades. In response, staff are undertaking a comprehensive update to the Temporary Events Ordinance (Napa County Code Chapter 5.36) and the Temporary Events Manual to improve clarity, make requirements more accessible and easier for applicants to navigate, simplify submittals, enhance administrative efficiency, and ensure continued compliance with state law and public safety requirements.
As part of this effort, staff is evaluating revisions to Category 5 to better align it with large-scale events attended by more than 750 people per day, as well as the creation of a new Category 6 for event series. An event series would include multiple events held on the same parcel or on separate parcels within a 30-day period in the same calendar year. Under the proposed framework, all events within an event series would be reviewed through a single, consolidated application, with each event location evaluated by reviewing departments and agencies for compliance with applicable standards.
This framework is intended to provide a clearer and more streamlined permitting pathway for complex, multi-day events. The updated ordinance and temporary events manual would allow an event like Auction Napa Valley to be processed administratively in a manner consistent with other events of similar size and nature, unless the Board elects to continue requiring review and approval through a resolution, similar to the current Category 5 process.
The proposed Temporary Event Ordinance, the newly formatted and updated Temporary Event Manual and Application Packet, and other materials were posted for public review and comment on August 6, 2025 at the following link: <https://www.pbes.cloud/index.php/s/qrizHwJAc6Abkqs>. Further outreach along with revisions and streamlining are underway, and staff anticipate returning to the Board in Spring 2026 with a refined ordinance, updated Temporary Events Manual, and supporting materials for consideration.
Requested Action:
Adopt the proposed resolution approving the 2026 Auction Napa Valley event, as allowed by the current ordinance. All future events would be considered under the provisions of Napa County Code Chapter 5.36, Temporary Events, effective at the time the application for the Auction Napa Valley event is received.
Procedural Requirements:
1. Open Public Hearing.
2. Staff report.
3. Public comments.
4. Close Public Hearing
5. Motion, second, discussion and vote on adoption of a Resolution approving the application for the 2026 Auction Napa Valley event.
FISCAL IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
No |
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Consequences if not approved: |
Auction Napa Valley would have to follow and comply with the adopted 2006 resolution time, place, and manner restrictions for the 2026 event. |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: General Rule. It can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the proposed action may have a significant effect on the environment and therefore CEQA is not applicable. [See Guidelines For the Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act, 14 CCR 15061(b)(3)].