Arroyo Grande Municipal Code Ch. 9.18 Dances and Public Entertainment Activities

For the purposes of this chapter, unless otherwise apparent from the context, certain words and phrases used in this chapter are defined as follows:

"Private dance" means a gathering of persons in or upon any premises, except a private residence, where dancing is participated in either as the main purpose for such gathering or incidental to such gathering in connection with a reception or social gathering.

"Public dance" means a gathering of persons in or upon any premises where dancing is participated in as the main purpose for such gathering and to which premises the public is admitted.

"Public dance hall" means a place where dancing is conducted for profit and/or to which the public is admitted, whether with or without charge.

"Public entertainment activity" means any music concert, music festival, rock concert, rock festival, dance or combination thereof, attended by over fifty (50) persons, whether or not admission is charged.

(Ord. 556 § 3D (part), 2004)

It is unlawful for any person to conduct or assist in conducting any private dance where the attendance exceeds fifty (50) persons, public dance, public dance hall, or public entertainment activity in the city without first having obtained a written permit so to do from the chief of police.

(Ord. 556 § 3D (part), 2004)

The permits required by the provisions of Section 9.18.020 shall be issued only upon the written application of the applicant. Such application shall set forth the following information:

A. The name and residence address of the applicant or applicants; if the applicant shall be a firm, association or corporation, the names and residence addresses of the persons constituting the same or the names and residence addresses of the officers and directors of the same;

B. The specific place for which the permit is desired or for which any dance, dances, or public entertainment activities are to be held; and

C. The number and date of the dance, dances, or public entertainment activities to be held pursuant to such permit.

(Ord. 556 § 3D (part), 2004)

A. The permits required by this chapter shall be issued by the chief of police.

B. Prior to the granting of a permit, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, the chief of police shall review the application and make a determination regarding the need for security officers who shall be security officers or security guards licensed by the state and employed by a company holding a valid city business license or off-duty sworn police officers. The chief of police may place a limit on the number of tickets which may be distributed by the permittee or public entertainment activity.

C. If conditions are imposed or security is required, the applicant shall furnish proof to the police department that all conditions have been met before a permit may be issued.

D. No permit shall be approved pursuant to the provisions of this chapter until the chief of police shall be satisfied that the conduct of such dance, dance hall, or public entertainment activity will not interfere with the public welfare, and for that purpose the council may consider any fact or evidence bearing on the place where the proposed dance, public dance hall, or public entertainment activity is to be located or bearing upon the character and moral fitness of the persons conducting or assisting in conducting such dance, public dance, public dance hall, or public entertainment activity.

(Ord. 556 § 3D (part), 2004)

The license fee for public entertainment activities shall be as established by resolution of the city council. The chief of police may waive such license fee for any dance or public entertainment activity by an organization or individual, the main purpose of which is to raise funds for charity.

(Ord. 556 § 3D (part), 2004)

The chief of police may suspend the operation of, and close, any public entertainment activity prior to the expiration of a permit granted therefor because of the violation of any provision of this chapter or any condition of such permit.

Any permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter may at any time be revoked by the chief of police when, in the opinion of the chief of police, the conduct of such dance, public dance hall, or public entertainment activity interferes with the public welfare or when it is conducted in an illegal, improper or disorderly manner.

(Ord. 556 § 3D (part), 2004)

It shall be the duty of the chief of police to investigate all facts and evidence bearing on the location of any dance, dance hall, or public entertainment activity and the character, reputation and fitness of the persons who will be in charge, prior to issuance of the permit.

(Ord. 556 § 3D (part), 2004)

The chief of police may make rules and impose conditions covering the operation and conduct of any dance, public dance hall, or public entertainment activity for which a permit is required.

The chief of police may limit the time, method, and manner of conducting any public dance, public dance hall, public entertainment activity, or private dance where the attendance exceeds fifty (50) persons.

(Ord. 556 § 3D (part), 2004)

No permit granted pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be transferable to another person, location or entity.

(Ord. 556 § 3D (part), 2004)

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any dance located entirely on school grounds with the permission of the school authorities.

(Ord. 556 § 3D (part), 2004)