HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 4075 . > • �m- f��� ,
asta,{�,
D2nf�34i yb�l1
;
CITY OF RE�ITON, WASHINGTON
ORDI1"JANCE NO. 4075
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON,
PROVTDING FOR THE LICENSING AN1D REGULATION OF PUBLIC
DANCES AND DANCE HALLS, ADDING � NEW CHAPTER 36 TO
TITLE V (B[JSINESS R�GULATI01�) OF ORDINANCE N0. 1628
ENTITL�D 'CODE OF ^vENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF
RENTON" ESTABLISHIPdG PENALTIES, ESTP,b�LISHING GROUNDS
F�R REVOCATION OF LICENSES AND ESTABLISHINu AN
EFFECTIVE DAT.E.
WHEREAS, the Renton City Council finds th-at unregulated public
dance halls cont.ribute to the problems associated with runaway children,
alcohol and drug abuse by children; and
WHEREAS, the Renton City Council finds that the regulatic�ns set
forth in this ordinance will help prevent the operation of public dance
halls from contributing to such problems and that thes� regulations are
necessary to protect tne public heal�h, safety and welfare, now,
therefore,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTO�t, ORDAINS AS
FOLLOWS:
SECTION I : Existing Title V of Ordinance No. 1628 entitled
"Code of �eneral Ordinances of the City of Renton" is hereby amended by
adding a new Chapter 3F� entitled "Public Dances and �?ance Halls" to read
as f_ollows :
5-3601 Definitions. For the purpose of this Chagter and unles5 the
context plainly requires otherwise, the following def.initions ar�
adopted:
A. "Public dance" means any dance that is op�n to the public
and which: (1 ) is conducted for a profit, direct or
indirect; or (2 ) requires a monetary payment or
contribution �rom the persons admitte�. The term °'Public
D�nce" does not include a banquet, party or celebration
1
ORDINANCE NO. 4075 � �
conduct�d for invited guests which is not open to the
public.
B . "Dance ha11" means any place or premise where a public
dance is con�ucted, including but not limited to all
hallways, bathrooms and all adjoining enclosPd areas
accessible to the public during the dance.
� . "Person" includes one or more natur_al persons,
corporations, partnerships or unincorporate� �ssociations
or other forms of busin�ss or�aniz�tion.
D. "Police Chief" means the R�nton Police Chief or his
designee.
E. "Fire Marshall" means the Renton Fir� Marshall or his
designee.
5-3602 License Require� - F�e - Renewals.
A. It is unlawful �or any person to conduct a public d�nce
within the City of Renton without fixst having obtained
and being the holder of a valid and subsisting license for
such activity, to be known �s a public �ance license. The
annu�l fee for a public dance license is $250 . 00 . A
limited license for a sin�le event is $25. 00 per event
day, but no more than 3 limit�d licenses shall be obtained
in any calendar month or more than 6 limi�ed licenses in
any calendar year unless the full yearly license h�s been
paid.
B. The entire annual license fee sha11 be paid for the
applicable calendar year regardless of when the
application for license is made, and shall not be prorated
for any part of the year except that if the original
applicati�n for license is made subsequent ta June 30th,
the license fee for the remainder of that year shall be
one-half of the annual license f?e. Annual license
renewals shall be obtained and paid in full by January
31st of each calend�r year.
C . There shall be asaess�d and coll�cte� by the �lerk an
additional charge computed as a percentage of the license
fee, on renewal applications not made when due , including
payment of the r�quired f_ee, on or before January 31st o.f
e�ch calendar year �s follows :
Additional F�rcentage
Days Past Due Of License Fee
7-30 25$
31-60 50�
61 and over 100�
2
ORDINANCE N0. 4075
5-3603 License - Exemption and Waiver of Payment
A. A license is not required under this chapter if the �ance
is conducted by the City of Renton or by a public and/or
priv�te school licensed by the State of W�shington.
B. The City Council shall have the right to waive the
requirement of payment of the licens� fee in the case of
any dance open to the public which is conducted for a
charitable purpose by a non pro�it, tax exempt
organiz=�tion, corporation or �ssoci�tion recognized as
exempt from Federal income tax pursuant to the Internal
Revenue Code. Anplication for a fee waiver shall b� made
no less than thirty �ays prior to the date of the dance
for which a license is sought.
5-3604 License - Application
A. Applications for any license pursuant to this chapter
shall be submitted in writing to the Finance Director upon
such forms as the Finance Director may prescribe at least
thirty (30 ) days prior to the �irst dancP. In addition to
other �nformation request�d, application forms sha11
contain the name and nlace of_ residence of the applicant,
the address and description of the premises to be licensed
and the time and date o:E the dance or dances to be held.
The Finance Director must be notified within 10 days of
any changes in the information required in this Section.
B. A11 applications shall be referred to the Police Chief whr�
sh�ll conduct an investigation as to the truth of the
statements containAd therein and investigate all other
m�tters pertaining to the criteria for license approval
set forth in this chapter. The Chief of Police shall
r�port to the City Council the results of such
investigation, as we11 as his other findings as to whether
the criteria for obtaining a public dance license have
b�en met
C . The application shail also be reviewed by the
Environmental Review Cammittee under the State
Environznental Policy Act (SEPA) .
5-3605 License - Crit�ria for Approv�l - Reapplications
A. The Finance Director shall grant a lic�nse unless it finds
that one or more of the following conditir�ns exist:
1 ) The building, structure, equipment or location of the
busines� or dance for which license is sought does
not comply with the requirements or fails to meet the
standards of the applicable health, zoning, �uilding,
fire and safety laws and ordinances of the State of
3
ORDINANCE N0. 4075
Washington, King County, and the City of Renton, or
the requirements of this chapt�r;
2 ) Ths applicant or any of the applicant' s officers,
directors, partners, operators, employees or �ny
other person involved in the operation of the dance
or dance hall has been convicted within the last five
years of_ :
a) A felony involving a crime of violence (as
d�fined in RCW 9. 41. 010 (2 ) as it now exists or
as hereafter amended ) or any felony under RCW
Chapters 9A. 44, 9A.64, 9A. 88 or 69. 50; or
b) A crime involving prostitution, promoting
prostitution, prostitution loitering or lewd
conduct, or assault on a juvenile.
B. Any applicant denied a license m:�y reapply and be granted
a license if the applicant can show that the basis for
such denial no longer exists, or may appeal such denial
pursuant to Section 5-3607, below.
C. Applications for renewal of a license issued un��r this
ChaptAr �hall be process�d and considered according to the
criteria �or initial issuance of the license.
5-3606 Conditions Upon Issuance of License - ReviPw of Operations
At thv time of granting � license or license renewal pursu�nt to this
Chapter, the Finance Director, when authorized by City Code or State or
Federal law, rule or regulation or the Environm�ntal Review Committee
pursuant to the State Environmental Policy Act may iznpose such conditions
as necessary to adequat�ly protect the public health, s�fety and general
welfare.
5-3607 Appeal from Denial or Conditions
A. When the Finance Director refuses to grant a licPnse, or
grants a license with conditions, the City sha11 notify
the applicant in writing of the same and shall inform the
applicant of his right to a hearing before the Hearing
Examiner within 10 days of the date of the notice by
filing a written notice of appeal which contains a
statement of the reasons for the appeal with the Hearing
Examiner .
B. If the applic�nt timely files a notice of appeal , the applicant
shall be afforded a h��ring before the Hearing Examiner at
which time the applicant sh�ll be af_forded an opportunity to
show that the conditions imposed are without merit or that the
reasons for denial of the license do not justify the denial.
After the hearing the Examiner sha11 determine whether the
4
ORDINANCE N0. 4075
applicant has shown reason to revise th� conditions or to issue
the license and shall make its final decision.
Any aggrieved party may appeal the Hearing Ex�miner ' s Decision
by seeking, within 10 days of the Examinez ' s decision, a writ
of review from the King County Superior Court.
5-3608 Security Personnel Required
It shall be the obligation of every person 1ic�nsed under this
Chapter to insure that �n adequ�te number of qualified security
peraonnel are emplayed and in attendance during and followin�
each public dance as is necessary in order to maintain order
and insure compliance with the laws of the State of W�shington
and ordinances of the City of Renton. Qualified security
personnel shall includ� at least two persons trained as law
enforcement p�rsonnel which may include off duty police
officers approved by the Polic� Chief. At no time shall fewer
than 25� of tne security personnel have training as law
enforcement personnel or similar training when approved by the
Police C�ief. Those s�curity personnel not having law
enforcement training must have received formal training in
crowd control by an agency not associated with the licensee.
The Police Chief of the City of Renton shall have the right to
requirP an increase in security personnel if the Chie= believes
the extra sPcurity is necessary because of past incidents at
the dance hall which threaten public safety, health or welf�re,
or threats �r evidence of future incidents that threaten public
safety health or welfare. Any decision of th� Chief to require
extra security personnel m�y be appealed to the H�aring
Exarniner in the manner described in Section 5-3607.
5-3609 Litter Control - Security for Cleanup
A. Prior to issuance of any public d�nce license a cash security
deposit in the amount of $200 shall be submitt�� to the City
Clerk �s security for th� cleanup of all litter resulting from
any public dance authorized by the license. In the event the
.licensee fails to clean up all litter on any public or private
property which results from any public d�nce conducted by the
licensee within twenty-four hours of the end of the dance, the
City may cause such litter to be cleaned up an�? pay the costs
of the clean up out of the security funds. Litter resultinc�
from the public dance sha11 be limited to that occurring within
a one block radius of the location of the dance unless clearly
identified to the dance. In the event tk�� cost of the clean up
exceeds the amount of funds on deposit, the licensee shall pay
such excess costs.
B. In the event funds are expen�led out of a security deposit
required by this Section, the licensee shall, within five days
of receipt of written notice of such expenditure, submit the
amount necessary to replenish the security fund to the amount
5
ORDINANCE N0. 4075 � '
of the full security deposit. No renewal license shall be
issued unless the full amount �f the security deposit for
litter clean up is on daposit with the City at the time of the
applicaLion for renewal. If funds sufficient to replenish the
fund are not received within 5 �ays of receipt of written
notice then the dancehall license shall be suspended until
sufficient funds are received . Within the 5 d�ys of receipt of
notice of deficiency, the dancehall licensee may inform the
Fin�nce Direct�r in writing of circumstances justifying non
payment of additional funds which inf�rm�tion shall be
considered by th� Finance Director and the licensee shall not
be suspended if the non payment is justified.
C. If the funds for �ecurity for cleanup are fully expended
within any one week , or if the funds for cleanup f_all
below $100. 00 twice in any quarter or five times in any
year , then the Finance Director shall require an
additional cash deposit of not less than $200. 00 and not
more than the greatest on� week expenditure for cleanup
during the prior year . .
D. Upon termination of all activities authorized by a public
dance license and clean up of a11 litter resulting from
such activity, the remainder of all funds deposited as
security for litt�r clean up shall be refunded to the
licensee, without int�rest.
5-3610 Loit�ring on Premis�s Prohibited
It shall be the obligation of each person issued a license
under this Ch�pter to us� best efforts to prevent loitering of
all persons on the pr�mises of the dance hall, including all
parking lot an3 driveway areas used by patrons of the dance
hall . "Loitering" shall not include walking between the
entrance to the public dance and parked vehicles, n�r shall it
inclu�e the act of waiting in lin� to gain admission to the
dance. "Loitering" shall also not include w�iting to be
admitted to the dance hall when such waiting occurs in an area
dedic�ted or reserved far such w�iting.
5-3611 Area for Waiting for Admission Entrance and Security
A. Any dance hall shall provide an area, which area is not
part of the public right-of-way or sidewalks, where patrons may
wait for admission to the dance hall . This area shall be
clearly marked. The number of persons permitted in this area
shall be limited to a number of persons re�sonably likely to
obtain admission to the dance hall within 30 minutes
considering the normal r�te of turnover of �atrons within the
dance hall. At no time shall the number oF patrons waiting
exceed the permitted occupancy load of the dance hall as
established by th� Fire Code and Fire Marshall . The dance hall
operatar sha11 provide security personnel to control the
�
0
ORDINANCE NO. 4075
waiting area one hour before opening and throughout the hours
of operation. The security personnel shall use their best
efforts to prevent persons seeking admission but not permitted
in the w�iting area from congregating on the public right-of-
way and sidewalks , and the security personnel s�all require
such persons to leave ths property und�r control at the dance
hall.
B . All persons a�mitted to the dancehall shall be admittQd through
a single entrance where the occupancy load can be monitored.
C . The management of any danc�hall shall prohi�it any person under
the influence of intoxicants or drugs from entering the
dancehall and shall �xp�l any person under such condition if
found within the premises.
5-3612 Revocation or Suspension of Lic�nse
A. After giving notice to the licensee of the right to �
hearing pursu�nt to the procedur�s set forth in this
ordinance, and conducting a hearing if a timely request is
filed, the Finance Director may suspend or revoke any
license issued pursu�nt to this chapter where one or more
of the following conditions exist:
1 ) The license was procured by fraud or f�lse
representation of materi�l fact in the application or
in any report or record required to be filed;
2 ) The building, structure, equipment or location of the
business or dance for which the license was issued
does not comply with the requirements or fails to
meet the standazds of the applicable health , zoning,
building, fire and safety laws and ordinances of. the
Stat� of Washington, Ring County , and the City of
Renton, or the requirements of this chapter ;
3 ) The applicant or any of the applicant' s offic�rs ,
directors, partn�rs, operators, or with th�
applicant' s actual or imputed knowledge employees or
any other person involved in the operation of the
dance or dance ha�l has been convict�d within the
last five years of:
a) A felony involving a crime of_ violence (as
defin�d in RCW 9. 41. 010 (2 ) as it now exists or
as hereafter amended ) or �ny felony under RCW
Chapt�rs 9A.44, 9A. 64, 9A. 88 or 59. 50 ; or
b) A crime involving prostitution, promoting
prostitution, prostitution loitering or lewd
conduct, or assault on a juv�nile.
7
ORDINANCE NO. 4075
4 ) Th� licensee or his employee, agent, �artner ,
director , officer or manager has knQwingly allowed or
permitted :
a) A felony involving a crime of violence (as
defined in RCW 9. 41. 010 (2) as it now exists or
as hereafter amended) or any felony under RCW
Chapters 9A.44, 9A. 64, 9A. 88 or 69. 50 to occur
in or upon the dance hall premises;
b) A crime involving prostitution, promoting
prostitution, prostitution loitering or lewd
conduct, or ass�ult on a juvenile to occur in or
upon the dance hall premises;
c) Any unlawful act of sexual intercourse, sodomy,
oral copulation, or masturb�tion to be committed
in or upon the dance hall premises; or
d) The dance h�ll premises to be used a� a pl�ce in
which unlawful solicitations for sexual
intercourse, sodomy, �ral copulation or
masturbation occur ; or
e) The possession or consumption of liquor by
persons under the age of twenty-one years, in or
upon dance hall premises; or
f) The giving or sunplying of liquor to any person
under the age o£ twenty-one years; or
g) The use by any pers�n in or upon the dance hall
premises of marijuana, cocaine or any other
controlled substance (as defined in RCW
�9. 50 . 101 (d) as now �xists or as hereafter
amended) not prescribed by a licensed physician
for use by the person possessing or using the
substance.
h) Violation of_ any condition place� upon a license
issued pursuant to this chapter, of this
ordinance, or of any other applicable law or
ordinance, which the Finance Director finds
constitutes an unreasonable interference with
surrounding land uses or is otherwise
unreasonably detrimental to the public welfare;
i ) Failure to timely file and pay any admissions
tax or other fee owing to the City of R2nton.
j ) Any person under the influence of intoxicants or
drugs onto or to remain within the premise�.
B. If thP Finance Director finds that any of the conditions
set forth in this Chapter exists and that the existence of
such condition constitutes a threat of immediate and
8
ORDINANCE N0. 4075
s�rious injury or damage to person or property, and in the
case of conditi�ns which may be eliminated by the
licensee, that notice of the conditions has been given to
the licensee and at least 24 hours have expired without
the elimination of such conditions, the Finance Director
may immediately suspend any license issued und�r this
Chapter without prior o�portunity to be heard, in which
event the licensee shall be entitled to appeal the
decision to the Hearing Examiner in accordance with 5-3607
of this chapter . ThP notice of immediate suspension of
license given pursuant to this subsection shall include a
statement of the conditions found to exist that
constitutes a threat of immediate and serious injury or
damage to persons or property, and shall also inform the
applicant of his right to appeal within ten (10 ) days of
the date of the notice by filing a written notice of
appeal which contains a statemPnt of the reason� for the
appeal with the City Clerk.
C. Revocation of any license issue� under this Chapter shall
be accomplished pursuant to Section 5-3607.
D. Any decision of the Finance Dir�ctor to revoke or suspend
a dance ha11 license may be appealed to the Hearing
Examiner within 10 �ays of the Finance Director ' s
decision. The appellant shall pay a $75. 00 fe� as a
condition of filing such appeal.
E. Any aggrieved party may appeal the Hearing Examiner ' s decision
rendered under parts B. an� D. of this section, by seeking,
within 10 days of the Examiner ' s decision, a writ of review
from the King County Superior C�urt.
5-3613 Age Restrictions.
A. No person con�ucting a public dance or maintaining a
public dance h�ll shall knowingly allow persons und�r the
age of sixteen year� to ent2r or remain in the dance hall
without a parent or legal guardian present.
B. It is the responsibility of the person conducting and/or
operating a public dance to require identification showing
the age of each persQn admitted. A valid Washington State
Drivers License or photo identification card issued by the
Washin�ton State Department of Licensin� sha11 be the only
acceptable forms of proof of age.
C . Every person who kn�win�ly or recklessly allows a person
to enter or remain in violation of this section shall be
guilty of a misdemeanor .
D. Any person who a�Firmatively misrenresents his or her age
to obtain admission to or permission to remain in any
9
ORDINANCE N0. 4075
public danc� in violation af this chapter shall be guilty
of a misdemeanor.
5-3614 Hours of aper�tion
No public dance hall to which any person undQr the age of 18
years may be admitted shall be operated past the hour of 12: 00
midnight on any school night. No public dance snall be
operated past the hour of 2: OQ a.m. on any other d�y. For the
purpose of this Sectian, th� term "school night" means any
night preceding a day upon which public schools within the City
of Renton are scheduled to operate.
5-3615 Public D�nce - Readmission Fee.
�o person conducting or operating a public dance or public
dance hall shall permit any p�rson, other t�an an employee, to
leave the dance or dance hall and return unl�ss that person
pays a readmission fee �qu�l to the original price of
a�mission.
5-3616 Access - By Police and Fire Officers.
Al1 police and fire officers of the City of Renton shall have
free access to public dances and dance halls when a dance is
being conducted, for the purpose of inspection and to enforce
compliance with the provisions of this chaptez and other
applicable City, County and State health, zoning, building,
fire and safety ordinances and laws.
5-3617 License Limited to Licensee and Location.
Any license issued under the provisions of this chapter shall
apply to a single licensee and to a single location only and
shall not be transferable to oth�r locations or to other
persons.
5-3618 Applicability.
All dance halls require� to be licensed 'oy this ordinance
within the City of Renton sha11 be regulated by the provisions
of this chapter , regardless of whether a public dance licens�
or business license was obtained from the City prior to or
after the effective d�t� of the ordinance codified in this
chapter .
SECTION II : Severabilit� If any section, sentence, clause or
phrase of this ordinance should be held to be invalid or unconstitutional
by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or unconstitu-
10
� , . , . ,
ORDINANCE N0. 4075
tionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of any other
section, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance.
SECTION III : This ordinance shall taka effect and be in full
force thirty ( 30 ) days af'ter the dat� of publication.
P.ASSED �Y THE CITY COUNCIL THIS 22nd day of June , 1987•
��,�����2��.�-�
Maxine E. Motor , City Clerk
APPROVED BY THE MAYOR this 22nd day of June , 1987
�ca�. � . ��,
Barbara Y. Shinpo h, Mayor
Approv d as to form:
C;Y���/`•T"'I�Y-
Lawrence J. Warrek�,,/ City Attorney
Dat� of Publication: June 26, 1987
city/20: 3/18/87 :nd
11