Brentwood Municipal Code Ch. 5.56 Pool Halls and Cardrooms

Note: For additional provisions on pool halls, see Chapter 5.52 of this code.

A. For the purpose of this chapter, "pool or billiard parlor" means a room in which there is one or more pool or billiard tables used for the purpose of playing pool or billiards for which a compensation of any kind is paid to the owner, proprietor, manager, lessee or possessor thereof. A room in which there is no more than one coin-operated pool or billiard table and which room is used in conjunction with some other business, shall not be considered a pool or billiard parlor for the purpose of this chapter.

B. "Cardroom" means a room, in which there are one or more tables at which people play cards, in connection with the business of selling cigars, tobacco, soft drinks, or alcoholic beverages, regardless of whether a rental or fee of any kind is paid to the owner, proprietor, or possessor of the card tables or whether the same is used for the convenience of his or her customers.

(Ord. 69 § 1, 1954; Ord. 185 § 1, 1969)

For every person conducting a pool or billiard hall the sum of two dollars and fifty cents per quarter for each pool or billiard table shall be charged. For every person conducting a cardroom the sum of one hundred dollars per calendar year or any part of a calendar year for each card table with no quarter licenses being issued for card tables shall be charged. Card table is hereby defined as a table at which people play any game of cards in connection with the business of selling cigars, tobacco, soft drinks, food or alcoholic beverages or entertainment, regardless of whether a rental or fee of any kind is paid to the owner, proprietor, or possessor of said table or whether the same is used for the convenience of his or her customers. It is further provided that the licensing for a pool or billiard hall or for pool or billiard tables and for a card game and card tables shall not include the right to sell tobacco, confections, soft drinks and lunches or carry on any other business on said premises without an additional business license for the privilege of conducting such business.

(Ord. 2 § 5(6), 1948; Ord. 21 § 3, 1948; Ord. 105 § 2, 1959; Ord. 271, 1976)

It is unlawful for any person, either as principal, agent, servant or employee, to permit any person under the age of eighteen years, except as provided for in Section 5.56.040 of the municipal code, or any intoxicated person to enter, be at, or remain at the premises where pool, billiards or cards are played, or to permit any gambling thereat prohibited by the laws of the state, or to permit any loud, boisterous or obscene language to be indulged in at the premises, or to fail to keep or maintain the same in a decent or orderly manner, or to permit any electric piano, radio or phonograph or musical instrument to be played thereat after the hour of two a.m., or to fail to close the premises not later than the hour of two a.m. or to reopen the premises earlier than the hour of six a.m. except that a cardroom may be open between the hours of two a.m. and six a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays; provided, that in the event the cardroom is operated in conjunction with a bar or other place required to be licensed by the state for on-sale dispensing of alcoholic beverages, any connection between the bar and cardroom shall be locked, sealed or in some other manner acceptable to the chief of police, closed off to separate the bar and the cardroom.

(Ord. 69 § 2, 1954; Ord. 189 § 1, 1969; Ord. 411, 1987)

Every person under the age of eighteen years is prohibited from going to or remaining in any place within the corporate limits of the city which is a pool or billiard parlor except in the following circumstances:

A. When the facility serves alcoholic beverages a minor may enter the establishment when on an errand when sent or with the knowledge and consent of a parent, guardian or other person having lawful custody of such person and further prohibited from loitering in or frequenting any such place.

B. When the facility does not serve alcoholic beverages and is operated as a family-oriented business.

(Ord. 69 § 2.1, 1954; Ord. 185 § 2, 1969; Ord. 411, 1987)

A. Any person, whether a corporation, firm, or individual, principal, agent, servant or employee, violating any of the terms, provisions or sections of this chapter, is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars, or by imprisonment in the County Jail of the county of Contra Costa, state of California, not exceeding six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

B. Every day that any pool or billiard parlor or cardroom is conducted, maintained or kept open in violation of this chapter shall be deemed a separate offense.

(Ord. 69 § 3, 1954)