Torrance Municipal Code Art. 4 Public Dance Halls

a) Public dance halls shall mean any room, place or space, excepting a private residence, where dancing is held or carried on.

b) Public dance shall mean any dance not held or conducted in a private residence.

(Amended by O-2267)

a) No person shall conduct a public dance without having first obtained a permit therefor from the License Review Board.

b) The License Review Board shall refuse to issue a permit when in its reasonable discretion it determines that the issuance of the permit would be contrary to the public health, safety or welfare. In making such determination, the License Review Board shall consider, among other criteria:

1. The effect the issuance of the permit will have on occupants and owners of adjacent property.

2. The adequacy of kitchen, if any, bar, if any, toilet and other facilities.

3. The record of the applicant and his employees in conducting similar activities in the past.

4. The effect that the issuance of the permit will have on traffic flow, traffic safety and on parking facilities; and

5. The proximity of bars and liquor stores to the dance hall.

c) The License Review Board may impose such conditions on the issuance of the permit and the conduct of the dance thereafter as it reasonably believes necessary to protect the public health, safety or welfare.

(Amended by O-2267)

a) The License Review Board may make reasonable regulations governing the operation of public dance halls supplementing the provisions of this Division.

b) Such regulations shall be filed with the City Clerk and the License Supervisor and shall remain posted in a conspicuous place in every public dance hall for which a license has been issued.

(Amended by O-1523; O-1526)

It shall be unlawful for any person to carry on or have charge or control of any dance or dancing in any public or private place, other than a private residence, between the hours of 2:00 A.M. and 8:00 A.M.

No person carrying on the business of a public dance hall or having charge of or control thereof shall carry on a public dance therein after sunset of any day unless the room or hall in which dancing takes place, including any loge, booth or alcove, be lighted or illuminated in such manner and to such extent so that all occupants of the dance hall are clearly visible at all times, but in no case shall the candlepower be less than five (5) footcandles at a distance of (30) inches from the floor of said room or place.

(Added by O-109)

a) No person under eighteen years of age shall enter, be in or dance in any public dance hall unless accompanied by his or her parent or legal guardian; no parent or guardian of a minor under eighteen (18) years of age, or the proprietor or person in charge of any public dance hall shall permit any such person to enter, be in, or dance in any public dance hall unless accompanied by his or her parent or legal guardian.

b) The provisions of this Section shall not apply to dances conducted by or under the auspices of the Park and Recreation Department or the Board of Education of the City, or by any club or organization expressly authorized by the Chief of Police to conduct dances for minors under eighteen (18) years of age.

There shall be no enclosures of any kind in a public dance hall, except office rooms to which patrons shall not have access and toilet facilities.

(Amended by O-2648)

a) It shall be unlawful for any person to carry on any marathon dancing contest, exhibition or race or any contest or exhibition of endurance in dancing, or any walkathon or any contest of a similar nature.

b) The provisions of paragraph a) of this Section shall not apply to any event that does not endanger the health or safety of the participants if that event is sponsored by a charitable organization whose purpose is to further medical research, combat a disease, improve patient care or patient rehabilitation facilities, or to provide services for handicapped persons, and if the event is held to raise funds for those purposes.

a) No person shall smoke on a public dance floor while dancing.

b) No person shall dance in a lewd or suggestive manner in a public dance hall.

c) No person shall conduct himself in a disorderly manner in a public dance hall.

d) No person in an intoxicated condition shall enter or remain in a public dance hall.

a) A permittee who violates or permits a violation of any of the provisions of this Article or the regulations adopted hereunder shall be subject to having his permit revoked or suspended.

b) The permit may be revoked or suspended in the same manner as provided for the revocation and suspension of licenses by the provisions of Article 9 of Chapter 1.

The presence of any police officer at any such public dance shall not relieve the permittee thereof, or any of his employees, from the responsibility of enforcing the provisions of this Article or the regulations issued hereunder.