Big Bear Lake Municipal Code Ch. 5.24 Dancehalls

The following words, as used in this chapter, shall have the following meaning:

A. "Disturbance of the peace" means and includes disturbing the peace as it is defined and set forth in Section 415 of the Penal Code of the state.

B. "Public dance" or a "public dancehall" means and includes any public place, open to the public, wherein or whereat the public may engage in dancing, including places and dances where admission thereto is by membership or other special privilege.

(Ord. 82-72 § 1(part), 1982)

It is unlawful for any person, corporation or association of persons to operate, conduct or carry on a public dance or a public dancehall within the city without first obtaining a license to do so, as in this chapter provided.

(Ord. 98-286 § 1, 1998: Ord. 82-72 § 1(part), 1982)

Application for such license shall be made to the city council in writing and shall state the name and address of the applicant, the place where the dance, or dancehall is to be conducted. Upon receipt of such application, together with the license fee, as in this chapter provided, the city council shall thoroughly investigate the application and shall deny the same if:

A. The applicant is not of good moral character; or

B. The premises in respect to which the license is to be issued do not comply with the provisions of any law, or are injurious to the public health or safety; or

C. The applicant has had a license forfeited, suspended or revoked under the provisions of this or any similar ordinance.

(Ord. 82-72 § 1(part), 1982)

A. Upon approval of such license by the council, the tax collector shall issue a license to the applicant; such license shall set forth the name of the applicant and the place where the dance or dance hall is to be conducted. Each license shall be nontransferable, shall be posted in a conspicuous place in or on the premises in respect to which it is issued and shall be exhibited to any peace officer.

B. Each license issued hereunder is separate and distinct and no person shall seek to exercise the privileges granted there under except the person, corporation or association of persons to whom it is issued and at the specific place for which it was issued.

(Ord. 82-72 § 1(part), 1982)

The license fee for each establishment conducting a public dance shall be an amount which shall be established, from time to time, by resolution of the city council, after the city council conducts a public hearing.

(Ord. 2002-329 § 1(g), 2002; Ord. 2002-326 § 1(part), 2002; Ord. 82-72 § 1(part), 1982)

The city council may upon its own motion and shall upon the verified complaint in writing of any person, investigate the conduct of any such dance or dancehall and shall have power to temporarily suspend or permanently revoke a license issued hereunder for any of the following:

A. Misrepresentation of a material fact by the applicant in obtaining a license;

B. Violation of any of the provisions of this chapter;

C. Commission of any act which, under this chapter, would be sufficient ground for denial of an application for a license;

D. Disturbance of the peace in or upon or about the premises for which the license was issued or permitting the peace to be disturbed upon or about the premises;

E. Written protest against the operation and conducting of any public dance or public dancehall, signed by a majority of the persons residing within one thousand feet of any such dance or dancehall;

F. Upon oral statement made by either the sheriff or district attorney at a regular meeting of the city council that such public dance or dancehall is being conducted in a manner detrimental to public morals.

(Ord. 82-72 § 1(part), 1982)

Upon the occurrence of any act for the suspension or revocation of a permit, as hereinabove provided, the city council may temporarily suspend or permanently revoke any license issued hereunder. Notice of the action by the city council temporarily suspending or revoking such license shall be served upon the licensee, which shall be served upon the licensee either by personal service or by registered mail to the last known address of such licensee. The licensee thereafter may, within ten days after the service or receipt of the notice, demand a hearing before the city council as to why the license should not be continued in force and effect. At the time set for the hearing, the city council shall hear the holder of the license, who may present any facts to show why such license should not be revoked; provided, that the city council may close the hearing when it is convinced that no public good will result from its continuance. At the close of the hearing, or at any time within thirty days thereafter, the city council shall determine from the facts produced at the hearing and from any other facts in its possession whether or not the license should be revoked and shall make its order accordingly. A notice of the action of the city council after the hearing shall be served upon the licensee in the same manner as hereinabove provided for the suspension or revocation of the license.

(Ord. 82-72 § 1(part), 1982)

It is unlawful for any person, corporation or association of persons to operate, conduct or carry on a public dance, or a public dancehall, or for any person to dance at any public dance, or in any public dancehall, between the hours of two a.m. and eight a.m.

(Ord. 82-72 § 1(part), 1982)

It is unlawful for any person, corporation or association of persons to employ persons at a salary or on a commission, or for anything of value, directly or indirectly, whose duty or business it is or shall be to dance with or act as dancing partners at any public dance or in any public dancehall or for any person to engage in such employment.

(Ord. 98-289 § 1, 1998: Ord. 82-72 § 1(part), 1982)

It is unlawful for any person, corporation or association of persons to operate, conduct or carry on a public dance or a public dancehall in such manner as to be detrimental to public morals or a disturbance of the peace.

(Ord. 82-72 § 1(part), 1982)