CHAPTER 124

REGULATING DANCE HALLS

124.01  Definitions

124.05  Hours

124.02  Permit Required

124.06  Minors

124.03  Application

124.07  Revocation

124.04  Security Officers Required

124.08  Refund

124.01    DEFINITIONS  For use in this chapter the following words are defined:

1.         “Public Dance Hall” shall mean and include any rooms, hall or halls where dancing is conducted or where dances are held or permitted, or any establishment which dispenses liquor or beer where dances are held, or where patrons of such dance rooms or halls pay a fee for participating in such dances; whether such fee is paid on the floor of such dance room or halls for admission thereto or for membership cards or tickets, or when said fee, for participating in such dances is paid directly or indirectly.

2.         “Public Dances” shall mean one which is or may be attended or patronized by the public generally either with or without tickets or invitations which a fee for participation for such dance is paid directly or indirectly or any dance which is held in an establishment which dispenses liquor or beer. Provided however that dances given or sponsored by fraternal orders, societies or other organizations, the attendance of which is limited or restricted to members of those organizations and their families, shall not be considered “public dances” even though a fee for such participation to such dances is paid directly or indirectly.

124.02    PERMIT REQUIRED.  No person, firm or corporation shall offer, conduct or maintain in the City a public dance hall nor carry on or give public dances as defined in this chapter without first securing from the Mayor a permit therefore and complying with all the other provisions of this chapter. A permit shall be obtained for each individual dance or an establishment may obtain a permit for a period of one year, however application for a permit or for renewal for a permit must be made at least ten days prior to the date the dances are to be held or to the date of expiration of the old permit.

124.03    APPLICATION.  Applications for such permit shall be in writing and signed by the applicant and shall state:

1.         Name and Residence.  Name and place of residence of applicant.

2.         Location of Building.  Location of place of building where applicant intends to operate or hold public dance.

3.         Owner.  Name of owner and building or property where public dance is to be held. If owner is not the applicant, the applicant must be the actual lessee of the premises.

4.         Statement of Safety.  That the place of the building is a safe and proper place for use of a public dance hall.

5.         Inspection By Police.  That the applicant consents to the entry of members of the police department without a search warrant to inspect the premises for violations of this chapter or any ordinance of the City or statutes of the State of Iowa.

6.         Sketch.  The application shall be accompanied by a detailed sketch and description of the premises. Such sketch will include all rooms and enclosures which are operated in connection with a beer or liquor license wherein the dancing shall be allowed and shall show the area that is designated for dancing and its dimensions. This sketch shall be conclusive as to the extent of premises licensed. The use of any part of the premises for dancing that is not designated on the application shall be deemed a violation of this chapter.

7.         Fee.  The application shall contain a check or money order or bank draft for the permit fee required by the provisions of this chapter.

124.04    SECURITY OFFICERS REQUIRED.  Upon the filing of the application, the Johnson County Sheriff's Department shall inspect the premises and determine the number of security officers required for each individual dance which may be held inside the dance hall. If the permit is to cover the premises for a year the Johnson County Sheriff's Office shall designate the security officers required based on the type of dance and the number of patrons in attendance. The cost of providing these security officers shall be borne by the applicant. At any time during the dance that the required number of security officers are not present, such will be considered a violation of this chapter.  At the Johnson County Sheriff's Department's discretion, the Sheriff can require an additional security officer to ride in the patrol car with the Department, during the hours the dance is being held. This security officer shall be at the expense of the applicant.

124.05    HOURS.  No such public dance shall remain open to the public for a later hour than 2:00 A.M. on any day nor should any public dance be carried on at said place later than 2:00 A.M. on any day unless permission has been obtained from the Council to keep said dance hall open for a later hour than 2:00 A.M., in which case said dance hall be closed by the hour designated by the Council.

124.06    MINORS.  It shall be unlawful to permit any person that has not reached the age of 16 years to attend or remain at any public dance unless this person is accompanied by the parent or a responsible person or guardian having proper custody of such minor.

124.07    REVOCATION.  In the event any applicant violates provisions of this chapter their license shall be automatically revoked and no refund shall be made of the license fee.  The Council may revoke a license for cause, other than that enumerated above, after ten days notice to the permit holder and a hearing on the matter of said application. The Council shall further determine and set hearing if a refund of a license shall be made on the revocation. If the Council determines at the hearing that the permit is to be revoked, the permit holder will have twenty (20) days in which to appeal the decision to the district court and if such appeal is not taken the matter will be deemed concluded.

124.08    REFUND. Any permit holder who shall voluntarily surrender a permit shall be entitled to a refund for the balance of the term remaining.

 

(Ch. 124 – Ord. 190 – Dec. 04 Sup

 

 

 

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