Hollister Municipal Code Ch. 5.32 Mechanical Amusement Devices

The term "mechanical amusement device" as used in this chapter shall mean any machine or device which, upon the insertion of a coin, slug or token in any slot or receptacle attached to such machine or connected therewith, operates or which may be operated for use as a game, contest or amusement or which may be used for any such game, contest or amusement and which does not contain a payoff device for the return of slugs, money, coins, checks, tokens or merchandise.

(Prior code § 13-1)

No person shall keep or maintain or permit to be kept or maintained in any building or place owned, managed or controlled by him or her in the city, any mechanical amusement device for the purpose of permitting the same to be played or operated, without first obtaining a permit from the chief of police of the city to do so.

(Prior code § 13-2)

Written application for permits under this chapter shall be filed with the chief of police and shall contain the following information:

A. The name, occupation, business status and residence address of the applicant;

B. The location and ownership of the premises for which the permit is sought;

C. The name and description of each machine for which the permit is sought;

D. Such further information as the chief of police may require.

(Prior code § 13-3)

The chief of police shall not approve any application unless the chief is satisfied that the mechanical amusement device in question does not constitute a gambling device, that the applicant is of good moral character and that the operation of the mechanical device at the premises proposed would not constitute a violation of any law of the United States, the state or the city.

(Prior code § 13-4)

No person shall keep or maintain or permit to be kept or maintained in any building or place owned, managed, supervised or controlled by him or her, any mechanical amusement device for the purpose of permitting the same to be played or operated, without first obtaining a license from the city to do so, covering each separate mechanical amusement device. No such license shall be issued by the finance officer until the applicant therefor has a valid permit in effect covering the specific location in question. Such license shall contain a sufficient description of the mechanical amusement device to identify it, and shall bear the number of the permit upon which it is based.

(Prior code § 13-5)

The operator of any mechanical amusement device shall keep the license issued therefor continuously attached thereto in a conspicuous place thereon.

(Prior code § 13-6)

The annual fee for each license issued for a mechanical amusement device shall be $20.00 for each separate mechanical amusement device and shall be due and payable to the city on the first day of January of each year.

(Prior code § 13-7)

Permits and licenses issued under the provisions of this chapter shall not be transferable. Any attempted transfer shall render the permits and licenses in question invalid.

(Prior code § 13-8)

The holder of a valid permit issued under this chapter may exchange or substitute mechanical amusement devices; provided, that the chief of police shall certify that the devices in question do not constitute gambling devices and that each new mechanical amusement device shall bear a new license issued for the particular location.

(Prior code § 13-9)

Whenever it comes to the attention of the city council, by formal complaint or otherwise, that the holder of any permit or license issued under the provisions of this chapter, or any of the agents or employees of such holder, has violated or is violating any law of the United States or the state or this code or any other ordinance of the city, in the use, operation or maintenance of any mechanical amusement device for which a permit or license has been issued, or that such holder is using, operating or maintaining any such mechanical amusement devices contrary to public welfare or morals, the city council shall give written notice to such permittee or licensee, setting forth the fact and nature of such complaint and fixing a time and place for the hearing of such complaint. The time of such hearing shall be not less than three days from the date of service of such notice on such permittee or licensee. If it appears to the satisfaction of the city council from the evidence adduced at such hearing that such a violation of such laws and ordinances has occurred or that the holder of such license or permit is using, operating or maintaining any such mechanical amusement device contrary to public welfare or morals, the city council may either suspend or revoke such license and such permit.

(Prior code § 13-10)