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Space Use Policy

The St. Mark's community extends its welcoming spirit as a sign that we are a "household of God's people." We expect thoughtful and responsible use and vigorous custodial care of our buildings and property by everyone who uses our space on any occasion.

Legal Conditions

  • Non-parish groups must be non-profit, tax-exempt organizations.

  • Under D.C. zoning laws, non-parish groups may not solicit contributions, charge admission fees/sell tickets, or sell any items at the event held at St. Mark's Church.

  • The legal agent for the organization must be at least 21 years old. S/he will handle all transactions with Caitlin Jacobs, Program Associate (202/543-0053, ext. 306 or Caitlin.Jacobs@stmarks.net; fax: 202/546-3695).

  • The Space Use Agreement is not final and binding until counter-signed by the Rector of St. Mark's, the Reverend Paul Roberts Abernathy.

Space Use Fees

  • The fees outlined in the Schedule of Fees for Building Use include a rental fee to the church and the minimum costs of pre-event set-up and post-event maintenance (including, but not limited to, furniture reconfiguration, rubbish removal, general cleaning).

  • A separate fee for building access, provided by a St. Mark's employee, outside of weekday business hours will be charged. (See Security and Access paragraph below.)

  • The fees for, and feasibility of, any non-standard set-up or variations in the maintenance services provided must be negotiated separately with Maintenance Contractor, and mutually agreed to before the Space Use Agreement is countersigned by the Rector.

  • A check for the full payment of the Space Use Fees, and if applicable, the additional fees for the Maintenance Contractor, must be received by the Program Associate no later than two weeks before the scheduled event.

Security and Access

  • For events occurring during weekday business hours, Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM. - 5:00 PM., St. Mark's employees will open the rented space(s) when the event organizers arrive and secure the space(s) after the event. Weekday events organizers are responsible for trash removal and for leaving the space(s) generally tidy.

  • For all evening and weekend events, event organizers must make arrangements with the Maintenance Contractor for a St. Mark's employee to provide building and room access. The St. Mark's employee will open the space(s), remain on site for maintenance assistance as needed, and will secure the premises after the post-event requirements are met. The cost of this security function is included in the Schedule of Fees for Building Use. (Under special circumstances, the requirement for having a "host" may be waived. Please consult with the Rector.)

  • Fire Exit Doors must be kept unobstructed at all times. In the event the Fire Department issues a citation for a violation of this requirement, the sponsoring organization will be solely responsible for payment of any resulting fines or penalties.

  • Maximum Occupancy Limits are posted in each space. The event organizers are responsible for ensuring that the limits are not exceeded. In the event the Fire Department issues a citation for a violation of these limits, the sponsoring organization will be solely responsible for payment of any resulting fines or penalties.

Smoking

  • No indoor smoking is allowed in any of St. Mark's buildings.

  • Cigarette butt receptacles (indicated by signs) are in the Courtyard and by the Courtyard entrance to the Parish Hall.

Energy Conservation

  • Thermostats throughout St. Mark's buildings have been set to provide a moderate level of comfort, e.g., 78°F in the summer and 68°F in the winter. Tampering with the thermostats will be considered a violation of the Space Use Agreement and will result in the forfeiture of the security deposit paid by the sponsoring organization.

Parking

  • The parking lot is not available for event organizers before or during events at St. Mark's Church except by prior arrangement with the Maintenance Contractor. Unauthorized parking at any time is subject to ticketing and towing by the Metropolitan Police Department.

  • Street parking is largely restricted to 2 hours on weekdays before 6:30 PM. or 8:30 PM., depending on the block. St. Mark's Church will not be responsible for any parking tickets issued to participants at events at St. Mark's.

Deliveries

  • St. Mark's staff will not accept, store, or otherwise take responsibility for deliveries or post-event pick-ups of any items related to an event except by prior arrangement with the Program Associate by an agent of the sponsoring organization. Post-event pick-ups that cannot be made during weekday office hours must be scheduled with the Maintenance Contractor.

Event Hours

  • Events must be concluded by 11:00 PM. Clean-up by caterers, equipment and instrument removal by musicians, trash removal, and all other activity must be finished by 11:30 PM.

  • For events at any time, especially for ones taking place after 6:00PM, the event organizers are tasked with ensuring that their participants and support personnel are respectful of St. Mark's neighbors by keeping the outdoor noise levels to a statutory minimum.

Conduct Norms While on St. Mark's Church Property

  • The sponsoring organization is responsible for ensuring that all persons who are on the church's property in connection with that organization's activity conduct themselves in a lawful and respectable manner.

  • There shall be no sale of any alcoholic beverages while on any of the church premises.

  • It is St. Mark's policy that outside groups that rent our facilities may not 'sell' alcohol as that activity is defined under D.C. city laws. Should the outside group wish to distribute alcohol during its event, we ask that the group at a minimum obtain a so-called "One Day" temporary license from the District of Columbia's Alcohol Beverage Control Administration. A fact sheet with directions on how to go about obtaining such a license is attached, and also is available at this link: abra.dc.gov/abra/lib/abra/services/app_forms/pdf/onedayfactsheet.pdf. St. Mark's reserves the right to impose more restrictive conditions on such distribution with respect to hours and insurance liability coverage than may be required under city law.

  • Illegal drugs shall not be used at any time or under any circumstances.

  • Sufficiently serious complaints about the conduct of any individual(s) attending an event of the sponsoring organization or about the noise level may result in the Rector/Senior Warden/Junior Warden/or a St. Mark's employee requiring the organization to vacate the premises immediately. "Sufficiently serious" includes, but is not limited to, any necessity for calling the police or fire department to the premises. Should this occur, the security deposit will be forfeited and the organization may not be allowed to use St. Mark's space in the future.

    • Electronically amplified music (live or recorded) is permitted only on Friday and Saturday evenings from 8:00 PM. to 11:00 PM.

    • Music without amplification may be played any evening up to 11:00 PM.

Advertising

  • Any advertising that will include the name and/or address of St. Mark's Church must indicate clearly the name of the sponsoring organization.