Seal Beach Municipal Code Ch. 5.60 Public and Club Dances

For the purpose of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall mean:

Club Dance:

dance, other than a public dance or dance given in a private residence, conducted by any club or association of persons for its members or bona fide guests more often than once in any 4-month period, attended by more than 200 persons, at which an admission fee is charged, a donation is solicited or dues are paid therefor.

Dancing Academy:

regularly established place maintained or conducted for the purpose of giving instructions in dancing, where the operator contracts specially with each person for a specified number of lessons.

Nonprofit Club or Organization:

association of persons operated solely for charitable purposes. "Nonprofit club or organization" includes the student body of a school.

Public Dance:

dance, other than a club dance, dance given in a private residence or the normal activities of a dancing academy, attended by more than 200 persons, at which an admission fee is charged or a donation is solicited, or any gathering of persons upon any premises where dancing takes place.

(Ord. 1515)

This chapter shall not apply to the following:

A. Dances conducted by a nonprofit club or organization on property owned by a public entity with the co-sponsorship of such public entity.

B. Dances conducted at private residences.

(Ord. 1515)

No person shall conduct a club dance or public dance without first obtaining, and maintaining in full force and effect, a dance permit.

(Ord. 1515)

A. Dance permit applications shall be submitted on forms prescribed by the city manager and shall be accompanied by an investigation fee.

B. No application may be filed for any premises for which an application has been denied for reasons pertaining to the premises unless one year has elapsed from the date of the denial. Notwithstanding the preceding, the city manager may accept the filing of an application for any premises that was originally denied if the conditions that caused such denial no longer exist.

(Ord. 1515)

The city manager shall cause such investigation to be made as deemed necessary and shall thereafter approve the issuance of the dance permit unless a finding is made that the conducting of the proposed public or club dance will violate a law or be contrary to the public health, safety or welfare.

(Ord. 1515)

An applicant shall pay to the city an investigation fee and a permit fee set by city council resolution. The city council may reduce or waive the fees at its sole discretion.

(Ord. 1515)

No dance permit issued under the provisions of this chapter shall be transferable.

(Ord. 1515)

A dance permit may be suspended or revoked by the city manager if the activity authorized by such permit is conducted, maintained or carried on in violation of this chapter or any law or is contrary to the public health, safety or welfare. The city manager shall conduct a hearing prior to revoking or suspending a permit. Written notice of the time and place of such hearing shall be served upon the permittee at least 3 days prior to the date set for that hearing. Such notice shall also contain a statement of the grounds to be relied upon for revoking or suspending such license.

(Ord. 1515)

City representatives shall be admitted immediately without charge at all reasonable times for the purpose of inspecting the premises and the conduct of all persons present at premises used in connection with a dance permit.

(Ord. 1515)

The permittee shall not permit persons under 18 years of age to be admitted or remain at any public or club dance unless accompanied by a parent, guardian, person having legal custody of such minor except when such dance shall be advertised and publicized as one conducted exclusively for minors between 14 and 18 years of age, in which event only persons of such specified age group shall be admitted as participants.

(Ord. 1515)

The permittee shall not issue or permit the use of any form of pass-out checks, stamps or other devices by which any person in attendance may be enabled or permitted to leave or depart from such dance and later return.

(Ord. 1515)

The faces of persons shall be recognizable and identifiable by a person of normal vision at a distance of 30 feet at all times. The provisions of the Health and Safety Code shall be applicable where food or drink is prepared or sold.

(Ord. 1515)

Public dances and club dances shall not be conducted between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. on any day. Public dances and club dances held exclusively for persons between the ages of 14 and 18 inclusive shall not be conducted between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 8:00 a.m. on any day.

(Ord. 1515)

The parking area of any premises wherein any public or club dance is being conducted shall be lighted to the satisfaction of the city.

(Ord. 1515)

The following rules of conduct shall be enforced at all public dances and club dances. The permittee shall be responsible for complying with the rules and removal of all persons who fail to comply therewith, and shall cause the rules to be posted and continually maintained in places designated by the chief of police.

A. No disorderly person shall be permitted to enter or remain on such premises.

B. Boisterous and obscene conduct is prohibited.

C. The use of profanity is prohibited.

D. No person shall be permitted to smoke on the premises.

E. No person shall loiter or be permitted to loiter by the licensee in the parking lot and/or other areas adjacent to the building on the premises in which a public dance is being conducted.

F. The permittee shall not allow any intoxicated person to be admitted or remain at any public dance or club dance.

G. Conduct and activity that disturbs the peace and quiet of the surrounding neighborhood shall be prevented and controlled.

(Ord. 1515)

A. The permittee shall provide licensed security guards, in accordance with the following formula:

1. Inside dance area:

2. Outside area and parking lot:

B. All security guards employed by the licensee shall be not less than 21 years of age. The permittee shall not employ any person who has been convicted of any felony; convicted of any drug or narcotic violations or convicted of any crime constituting a sex offense. The permittee shall submit the name, address and date of birth of the prospective security guard to the chief of police no less than 10 days prior to the date of employment, on a form provided by the chief of police.

(Ord. 1515)