Grand Terrace Municipal Code Ch. 5.20 Dancehalls

As used in this Chapter:

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. 1 § 1(part), 1978: county code § 41.1210)

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

(Ord. 102 § 7,1986: Ord. 1 § 1(part), 1978: county code § 41.121)

A. Application for a license under this Chapter shall be made to the City clerk in writing and shall state the name and address of the applicant and the place where the dance or dancehall is to be conducted.

B. Upon receipt of such application, together with the license fee, as provided by resolution of the City Council, the Council shall thoroughly investigate the application and deny the same if:

1. The applicant is not of good moral character;

2. 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

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

(Ord. 102 § 8, 1986; Ord. 1 § 1(part), 1978: county code § 41.122)

A. Upon approval of such license by the Council, the City clerk shall issue a license to the applicant; such license shall set forth the name of the applicant and the place where the dance or dancehall is to be conducted.

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

(Ord. 102 § 9, 1986; Ord. 1 § 1(part), 1978: county code § 41.123)

The City Council may upon its own motion and shall upon the verified complaint in writing of any person, investigate the conduct of any dance or dancehall licensed under this Chapter and shall have power to temporarily suspend or permanently revoke a license issued under this Chapter 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 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 chief of police or city 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. 1 § 1(part), 1978: county code § 41.125)

A. Upon the occurrence of any act for the suspension or revocation of a permit, as provided in this Chapter, the City Council may temporarily suspend or permanently revoke any license issued under this Chapter. Notice of such action by the Council temporarily suspending or revoking such license shall be served upon the licensee, either by personal service or by registered mail to the last known address of such licensee.

B. 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 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.

C. 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 Council after the hearing shall be served upon the licensee in the same manner as provided in this Section for the suspension or revocation of the license.

(Ord. 1 § 1(part), 1978: county code § 41.126)

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. 1 § 1 (part), 1978: county code § 41.127)

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

(Ord. 1 § 1(part), 1978: county code § 41.128)

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. 1 § 1(part), 1978: county code § 41.129)