Ventura Municipal Code Ch. 6.50 Amusements 2

2 Cross reference(s): Gambling, Chapter 10.350; bingo, Chapter 10.400; dance halls, Chapter 10.450; picture arcades, Chapter 10.500.

A. Applicability. The following regulations shall apply to dance halls and public dances.

B. Definitions. As used in this chapter:

“Dance hall” means any place where the holding or conducting of public dances is carried on.

“Public dance” means a gathering of persons in or upon any premises where dancing is participated in and to which premises the public is admitted with or without an admission charge.

C.

1. Permits Required.

a. Dance Halls. No person shall allow or permit any building, structure, room, tent, or other place owned by that person or under that person’s control to be used as a dance hall without a permit from the council.

b. Public Dances. No person shall conduct or manage a public dance without a permit from the city manager.

c. Permit Not Required. No permit is required where a valid existing permit has been granted to a permittee under Section 10.450.050.

2. Exemptions. This section, inclusive, shall not be applicable in the following cases:

a. Private dances attended only by those having express invitations.

b. Dances conducted or sponsored by:

i. The city of San Buenaventura or any of its agencies or departments.

ii. Other governmental agencies in connection with festivals or other patriotic or holiday celebrations or in connection with scheduled recreational activities.

iii. The Ventura unified school district, Ventura County junior college district, or established parochial schools.

c. Dances conducted in accordance with applicable rules and regulations and sponsored by bona fide limited membership associations, organizations or clubs at which attendance is limited to members in good standing or guests having express invitations.

3. Limited Exemption. No permit is required for dances conducted in accordance with applicable rules and regulations at a licensed dancing school.

4. Rules and Regulations. The city manager may adopt reasonable rules and regulations not inconsistent with this chapter for the conduct of permitted activities. Such rules and regulations may include, but shall not be limited to, the responsibilities for maintaining order, the conduct of those attending the dance, the maximum age for those attending the dance and the criterion for determining whether or not the associations, organizations or clubs are bona fide associations, organizations or clubs. Copies of such rules and regulations shall be made available to interested parties. Failure to comply with such rules and regulations, after notice thereof, shall be a misdemeanor. A permittee’s permit may be revoked if the permittee fails to comply with such rules and regulations.

D. Age Restrictions.

1. Minimum Age. No minor under the age of 15 years shall be, remain in, attend, enter or visit any public dance, or visit any public dance or the room or rooms in which such dance is being held or conducted within the city unless accompanied by the minor’s parent or guardian. No owner, manager, proprietor or other person in charge of any public dance shall allow or permit any minor under the age of 15 years to be, remain in, enter, attend or visit such dance, or the room or rooms in which such dance is being held or conducted unless accompanied by the minor’s parent or guardian.

2. Minimum Age When Alcohol Is Consumed. No minor under the age of 21 years shall be, remain in, attend, enter or visit any public dance, or visit any public dance or the premises in which such dance is being held or conducted when alcohol is consumed, sold or served.

E. Hours of Operation. No owner, manager, proprietor or other person having charge of any public dance shall allow or permit to continue or be in operation any public dance between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. of any day. No owner, manager, proprietor or other person in charge of any public dance shall allow or permit any person, except such owner, manager, proprietor or person in charge thereof, or the servants regularly employed in and about the same, to remain therein between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. of any day; provided, however, that this section shall not apply to places regularly and daily engaged in carrying on and conducting a hostelry, cafe or restaurant where such business constitutes a material part or portion of such enterprise.

F. Application.

1. Filing. Any person desiring to obtain a permit to conduct a public dance or dance hall shall file a written application with the city clerk at least 30 days before the scheduled event. Such application shall contain such information deemed necessary by the city manager and shall be verified by the applicant.

2. Denial. The city manager shall have the discretion to deny such application if it shall appear that the applicant is an unfit person to manage or conduct such public dance, or that by reason of the place where such public dance is to be located, the conducting or carrying on of such public dance would be detrimental to the public health, public order or public morals. In the event the city manager shall deny the application the city manager shall, upon the written request of the applicant, submit the application to the city council for consideration.

3. Place for Which Permit Issued. Any permit issued upon the order of the city manager shall authorize such public dance to be carried on only at the place set forth in the application therefor; provided, however, that the city manager may by order entered upon its minutes, authorize a transfer of such permit from one place to another. Such permit shall not be transferable except upon written application to the city manager. (Code 1971, § 2221)