Wasco Municipal Code Ch. 5.20 Public Dances

Sections: 5.20.010 Definitions. 5.20.020 Permit--Business license--Curfew--Location requirements. 5.20.030 Law enforcement requirements. 5.20.040 Permit issuance or denial.

5.20.050 Appeal. 5.20.060 Violation--Penalty.

As used in this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

"Public dance" means any dance to which the public is admitted by invitation or otherwise, or which is held or conducted for profit, either through the sale of tickets, admission fees, or donations, or in any other manner whatsoever. (Ord. 473 §1, 2002).

It is unlawful for any person to give, hold or conduct any public dance or series of public dances within the city without first obtaining a permit from the chief law enforcement officer, and a business license, if applicable. Any and all halls or rooms used for the purpose of holding such a dance must be closed and no dance allowed therein later than one a.m. All such halls shall in all respects conform to all the rules and regulations of the fire department of the city, and the stairways and rooms connected with such halls shall be well lighted and kept open during the time such dances are held therein. (Ord. 473 §1, 2002).

All public dances shall be under the supervision of the police services unit of the city, and the chief law enforcement officer may require that the applicant offer proof that the applicant will be able to maintain the peace and quiet, and conduct the dance in an orderly fashion from the opening to the closing thereof; and the police shall at all times have free access to and be able to check and observe the supervision being provided for such dances, and all of the rooms used by the patrons in connection with such hall. (Ord. 473 §1, 2002).

The chief law enforcement officer shall, upon the application for a permit, inspect the premises where such dance is proposed to be held and conducted, If, in his judgment, such place is not a fit and proper place in which a public dance should be held or given, or if the person making application is not a fit or proper person to hold or conduct such a dance, he shall refuse to grant a permit to such person for such purposes; but if in his judgment, the place is a fit and proper place and the person is a fit and proper person to give such a dance, then it shall be his duty to grant that person a permit. (Ord. 473 §1, 2002).

Any person aggrieved by the decision of the chief law enforcement officer with respect to the issuance of or refusal to issue a license may appeal such decision to the council by filing a notice of appeal with the city clerk within five days of such decision. The city clerk shall fix a time and place for hearing such appeal, and the city clerk shall give notice in writing to such person of the time and place of hearing by personal service or by depositing it with the U.S. Postal Service, postage prepaid, at Wasco, California, addressed to such person at the address appearing on said person’s last license or application. The findings of the council shall be final and conclusive and shall be served upon the applicant in the manner prescribed above for service of notice of the hearing. (Ord. 473 §1, 2002).

Every violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed to be a misdemeanor and, upon violation thereof, shall be punishable as provided for in Chapter 1.08. Each day any violation of any provision of this chapter shall continue, shall constitute a separate offense. (Ord. 473 §1, 2002).