Arcadia Municipal Code Div. 2 Dances and Dance Halls

No person shall participate in any public dance or any dance conducted at or by any public dance, dance hall or dancing club unless a permit has been obtained pursuant to Chapter 3 of this Article and is in effect for such public dance, dance hall or dancing club.

The License Officer may from time to time, by permit conditions generally or individually, prescribe rules governing dance halls, dancing clubs or public dances maintained, conducted or operated within the City, and pursuant to Division 4 of Part 1 of Chapter 3 of this Article may revoke or suspend permits issued for same where the proprietor or person in charge thereof violates or permits any infraction of any rules or any law of the State or of the City.

(Amended by Ord. 2263 adopted 12-1-09)

Before granting a permit to conduct a dance hall, dancing club or public dance, the License Officer shall first satisfy himself or herself that the conduct of such dance hall, dancing club or public dance will comport with the public welfare and, for this purpose, may consider any facts or evidence bearing on the place where the proposed dance hall, dancing club or public dance is to be located, the character, reputation and moral fitness of those who will be in charge of it, and any other facts or evidence tending to enlighten the License Officer in this respect. The License Officer may establish any conditions to the issuance of a permit, including the prohibition of alcoholic beverages, which are deemed reasonably necessary to protect the public health, welfare and safety.

(Amended by Ord. 1444 adopted 12-21-71; amended by Ord. 2263 adopted 12-1-09)

No minor person under the age of eighteen (18) years shall enter, be or dance in any public dance hall or club dance after 1:00 a.m., or where alcoholic beverages are being served, unless accompanied by parent or guardian; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed to prevent a minor person under the age of eighteen (18) years from being in a bona fide cafe, restaurant or other place where meals are regularly served and where a public dance is being held after 1:00 a.m., in the event such minor person does not participate in the dancing therein; provided further, that nothing in this Section shall be so construed as to apply to children under the age of five (5) years. The License Officer may provide permit conditions relating to adequate supervision, chaperons or security officers at any public dance hall or club dance where minors are to be in attendance.

(Amended by Ord. 1525 adopted 12-3-74; amended by Ord. 2263 adopted 12-1-09)

No person shall conduct or assist in conducting any public dance, dance hall or dance club on Sunday or between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. on any other day.

All dance halls or places where public or club dances are held must at all times, when open for dancing therein, be brightly lighted throughout and the volume of illumination must not vary during the time such dance hall or public dance is open to the public or such club is open to its members or guests.

No person shall take any alcoholic liquor into the premises where any public dance or club dance is being held, and no person in charge or assisting in the conduct of any dance hall or any public dance or any club dance shall permit any person therein, and no person shall remain therein, who has any such alcoholic liquor in his possession, or permit any intoxicated, boisterous or disorderly person to enter, be or to remain in or assist in any such dance hall, public dance or club dance. No person in an intoxicated condition shall enter or remain in any dance hall, public dance or club dance or conduct himself in a boisterous or disorderly manner in any dance hall, public dance or club dance.

If a permit authorizes the serving of alcoholic beverages at a public dance, no person other than the owner of an on-sale license and his bona fide employees acting in the course of their employment shall possess any alcoholic beverage at said dance unless the same has been lawfully sold, served, or dispensed thereat by said licensee.

(Amended by Ord. 1444 adopted 12-21-71)

No person conducting, maintaining or carrying on a dance hall, dancing club or any public dance shall permit any booth, box, loge, alcove or enclosure to be closed, curtained off, or permit anything that will not permit a clear view into said booth, box, loge, alcove or enclosure from the dance floor located upon the same floor upon which such booth, box, loge, alcove or enclosure is located.

Upon the application in writing of any club or association of persons to conduct a dance, other than a public dance, for its members or bona fide guests, the License Officer is hereby authorized and empowered to issue a permit to conduct such a dance. The provisions of this Section shall apply to dances held by memorial or fraternal associations and dances held in connection with patriotic or holiday celebrations or festivals where such dances are casual or for one such occasion only and at a particular date, and are not conducted more often than once a month, and are attended only by a special and bona fide selection of persons to be admitted or to be permitted to dance thereat.

Any permit issued under the preceding Section may be revoked at any time by the License Officer, pursuant to Division 4 of Part 1 of Chapter 3 of this Article, if the License Officer becomes satisfied that the conduct of such dance does not or will not comport with the public welfare for any reason or that the same will be conducted in an illegal, improper or disorderly manner.

(Amended by Ord. 2263 adopted 12-1-09)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2263, § 41, adopted Dec. 1, 2009, amended § 6412.10, in its entirety and enacted new provisions to read as herein set out. Prior to amendment, § 6412.10 pertained to Same. Revocation by Council.