Palm Springs restaurant owner left frustrated after denial of a permit for live music

The Palm Canyon Roadhouse owner Greg Rivers was excited to bring back live entertainment for an outdoor event on Friday February, 12th.

“First time in 11 months we really had a chance to make some money,” he told News Channel 3.  

In order for Rivers to have live entertainment in his parking lot, he needed a noise ordinance waiver. 

Rivers said he worked with the city of Palm Springs to make it happen, however, was disappointed the city decided not to issue a special permit that would waive the noise ordinance.

 “We did everything we had to do, paid our fees," said Rivers. "The city fast tracked us through.”

Rivers told us the city of Palm Springs gave him the green light to expand his business to the parking lot with limitations. 

“They want us at 50 decibels with live entertainment," Rivers said, "The same level as a coffee percolator. Think about that. It's ridiculous.”

We reached out to the city to find answers.

“His particular situation is different where he didn't want to be in the street, but wanted to be in his back parking lot, which was fine too," said David Ready, Palm Springs city manager. "Although that is actually even closer to the neighborhoods that are behind that so that's why an outdoor music permit is not allowed.” 

And what about the fees he paid? 

"The fee is being refunded because he shouldn't have paid a fee for it, for what he was trying to accomplish," said Ready. "So that is being corrected, and again, what we're trying to do is we're trying to accommodate every business."