Corcoran Municipal Code Ch. 6 Dance Halls

For the purpose of this Chapter the following terms shall have the meaning set forth in this Section unless the context otherwise indicates:

PUBLIC DANCE: As used in this Chapter shall mean any dance to which the public generally may gain admission with or without the payment of a fee therefor.

PUBLIC DANCE HALL: As used herein, includes any hall, room, platform, pavilion, building, restaurant, cafe or refreshment place or other place of business which is resorted to by the public at large, for the purpose of engaging in or carrying on the pastime of dancing; provided, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to require any permit for the maintenance of a bona fide school of instruction in the pastime of dancing. (Ord. 172, 1-20-1958)

A. Charity Dances: Nothing in this Chapter shall be deemed to apply to any dance the income of which over and above a sufficient sum to pay the actual expenses of the dance is devoted to public charity; or to any dance at which the only fee collected is a sufficient sum prorated among the persons present to pay the actual expenses of conducting the dance.

B. School Dances: Nothing in this Chapter shall be deemed to apply to school dances or functions. (Ord. 172, 1-20-1958)

It shall be unlawful for any person to open, conduct or carry on or to participate in the opening, conducting or carrying on of a public dance hall in the City without having a valid and existing license or permit so to do, granted as hereinafter specified; and it shall be unlawful for the holder of any such permit, or any officer, agent or employee of the owner of such permit, to violate or permit a violation of all or any of the rules and regulations, or any part thereof at and in connection with any dance under such permit, which rules and regulations are set forth and contained in Section 5-6-4 of this Chapter. (Ord. 172, 1-20-1958)

It shall be unlawful to conduct, operate or carry on a public dance or a public dance hall, or to dance in a public dance hall in violation of the following rules and regulations:

A. Indecent Acts Prohibited: No immoral, obscene, vulgar or disorderly dance or dances shall be permitted. No indecent act shall be permitted, nor shall any disorder or conduct of a gross, violent or vulgar character be permitted. Any member of the Police Department or other properly constituted authority shall be admitted free of charge to any public dance hall in the City, and they shall have the power and duty to enforce the terms of this Chapter.

B. Presence Of Responsible Person Required: The holder of a permit, or some responsible person designated in the application for the permit under which said dance is held, must at all times be present on the dance floor. It shall be the duty of such person to see that the provisions of this Chapter relating to the conduct of such dance and of the persons attending the same are complied with. (Ord. 172, 1-20-1958)

C. Presence Of Private Security Officer: The Chief of Police may require at any public dance held within the City the presence of private security officers, whose agency shall be licensed with the State Department of Consumer Affairs, Division of Licensing. (Refer to the California Business and Profession Code.) Any person conducting, managing and carrying on such public dance shall provide to the Clerk validation of contract with said security prior to the public dance. (1996 Code)

D. Prohibited Hours: No dancing shall be permitted between the hours of two o'clock (2:00) A.M. and six o'clock (6:00) A.M. of the same day. (Ord. 172, 1-20-1958)

No permit shall be issued to any person unless such person be of good moral character, nor unless a written verified application therefor is presented to the Clerk, showing the following facts:

A. The name and residence of the applicant, and if any applicant be a firm, the names and residence of the partners thereof, and if the applicant be an association, the names and residences of the officers thereof, and if the applicant be a corporation, the names and residences of the officers and directors thereof.

B. The particular place for which the permit is desired or at which any dance is to be held.

C. The name of the owner of the place or premises in or at which the dance is to be held.

D. Such persons as from time to time will be in charge and who will be responsible for the order and due observance of the provisions of this Chapter.

E. A statement that the applicant is the sole party, or the applicants are the sole parties, either directly or indirectly interested in the dance or dance hall or premises for which a permit is sought, and that no other person is or will be in any manner interested therein, directly or indirectly, during the continuance of the permit.

F. A covenant and promise by the applicant to comply with the terms of this Chapter, and in particular Section 5-6-4 hereof, and to consent to the entry by police officers upon the premises at which the dance is held. (Ord. 172, 1-20-1958; 1996 Code)

A permit issued to any person to hold a public dance may be revoked by the Council upon the recommendation of the Chief of Police upon five (5) days' notice to the holder thereof, for violation of any of the provisions of this Chapter, or any other law relating to such places, or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. If at any time the permit of any person shall be so revoked no new permit shall be granted to such person, or any person who was an agent or employee of such person at the time of such violation, or at the time of the application for a new permit. (Ord. 172, 1-20-1958)