Woodlake Municipal Code Ch. 5.36 Public Dances

The purpose of this chapter is to regulate public cafe dances and public dances, so that the event does not have an adverse impact on the public's health, safety or welfare.

(Ord. 541 § 1 (part), 2001)

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, have the meaning ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning.

"Live music" means music that is generated on premises by persons playing instruments or by persons singing.

"Person" means and includes any individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, corporation, estate, trust, business trust or any other group or combination acting as a unit, and the plural as well as the singular.

"Public cafe dance" means any dance conducted upon premises where live or amplified recorded music is provided. Said dance is operated on premises that are connected with a regular eating or drinking establishments and where meals or alcoholic beverages are regularly sold and served and to which the public is entitled to attend.

"Public dance" means any dance other than a public cafe dance to which the public may gain admission or is entitled to attend, and includes any dance that is held or conducted at a meeting place which is available for rent or use by the general public except when located on a public or private school ground, the Woodlake Memorial Building, or the Lions Community Center.

(Ord. 541 § 1 (part), 2001)

It is unlawful for any person to conduct a public dance or a public cafe dance, where live music is provided, or allow such a dance to be conducted upon premises under his control without first having obtained a permit pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. Any such dance being conducted without a permit may be closed down summarily by the city.

Any person desiring a permit pursuant to this chapter shall file an application with the city clerk ten days prior to the date of the dance.

(Ord. 541 § 1 (part), 2001)

Any person wishing to conduct dances referred to in this chapter shall make an application to the city clerk, accompanied by an application fee. The application shall be reviewed and approved by the chief of police. Said application shall contain the following:

A. Name of person/organization applying for permit;

B. Address;

C. Telephone;

D. Date, location and hours of dance;

E. Type of dance:

1. Public,

2. Charitable,

3. Other;

F. Attendance:

1. Open to the public,

2. Invitation only,

3. Number of patrons;

G. Security:

1. Security agency assigned (shall be licensed through the city of Woodlake),

2. Number of security guards;

H. Occupancy of building, if applicable.

(Ord. 541 § 1 (part), 2001)

Upon review of the application by the chief of police, city clerk and other departments, the chief shall be authorized to issue said permit.

A. Said permit shall only be issued to one permittee per weekend.

B. Said permit shall be posted in a conspicuous location on the premises where the dance is occurring and during the hours when the dance is being conducted.

(Ord. 541 § 1 (part), 2001)

All permits issued under the provisions of this chapter for a public dance or public cafe dance shall be conditioned on the following requirements:

A. The permittee shall be required to have an attendance on the premises where the dance is being conducted, during the entire time the dance is being conducted, security guards, licensed by the state of California. The number of security guards shall be determined by the chief of police;

B. The building premises wherein a dance is being conducted shall not have an attendance that exceeds the occupancy of the building as determined by the Woodlake fire district;

C. The building premises wherein a dance is being conducted shall be limited to three dances per calendar year and no more than one dance per month;

D. Said dance permit shall be good for twenty-four (24) hours;

E. The live music associated with a public dance or public cafe dance shall cease at twelve midnight;

F. Events that are located in a residential zone district shall cease at ten p.m.

(Ord. 541 § 1 (part), 2001)

A. If there are in the official records of the police department showing two or more disturbances at public dances operated by the permittee during the proceeding year, the chief of police may deny said permit or require additional security guards.

B. If the chief of police finds that the person, persons or organization applying for a dance permit have violated other city ordinances or pertinent state laws, the chief of police may deny said permit.

(Ord. 541 § 1 (part), 2001)

The city is empowered to revoke said dance permit and close down any dance that is in violation of Sections 5.36.060(B), (E) and (F) of this chapter.

(Ord. 541 § 1 (part), 2001)