Chapter 5.18
FAMILY FUNCTION

Sections:

5.18.010    Purpose.

5.18.020    Definitions.

5.18.030    License application procedure.

5.18.040    Family function rules and regulations.

5.18.050    Litter control/cleanup deposit.

5.18.060    Access by clerk-treasurer, police and fire officers.

5.18.070    License limited to licensee and location.

5.18.080    Civil penalty.

5.18.010 Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to provide regulations for family functions that do not come under the definition of “public dance” as that term is defined in Section 5.16.010 of the Bridgeport Municipal Code. (Ord. 530 § 1 (part), 2002)

5.18.020 Definitions.

For purposes of this chapter and unless the context plainly requires otherwise, the following definitions are adopted:

A.    All of the definitions set forth in Chapter 5.16 of the Bridgeport Municipal Code.

B.    “Family function” means a birthday party, wedding, wedding reception, baptism, family reunion, graduation party, promotion party, first communion, retirement party, or other banquet, party, or celebration conducted for invited guests which is not open to the public and where music and/or dancing occurs and which is not a “public dance” as that term is defined in Section 5.16.010 of the Bridgeport Municipal Code. The term “family function” as used in this chapter shall only include family functions that occur at a place other than a residential structure where at least one of the family members in attendance at the family function resides.

C.    “Music” means and includes any combination of instruments and/or electronic equipment that collectively exceeds a total of one hundred watts. (Ord. 530 § 1 (part), 2002)

5.18.030 License application procedure.

A.    To hold a family function within the city, a family function license must be obtained from the city clerk-treasurer upon such forms as the city clerk-treasurer may prescribe at least fifteen days prior to the family function. Upon receipt of a timely complete application form in compliance with the provisions of this chapter and the litter control/cleanup deposit, the city clerk-treasurer shall issue the license for the family function.

B.    Application forms shall include the following:

1.    The name, telephone number and place of residence of the applicant;

2.    The purpose of the family function, i.e., wedding, birthday party or other event;

3.    The mailing address of the applicant;

4.    The address and description of the premises to be licensed for the family function;

5.    The name, telephone number and address of the owner (if different than the applicant) of the premises to be licensed for the family function;

6.    The time and date of the family function to be held and expected number of attendees and the number of invited guests;

7.    The name, address and telephone number of the security firm that will provide the security for the family function; and

8.    A refundable litter control/cleanup deposit of one hundred dollars in the form of a cashier’s check or money order. This one hundred dollar deposit will be returned by the city to the applicant, less whatever city costs are incurred to clean the surrounding streets, sidewalks and public and private property not cleaned by the applicant within twelve hours following the conclusion of the family function.

5.18.040 Family function rules and regulations.

The following rules and regulations shall apply to family functions:

A.    The applicant for a family function must be at least eighteen years of age and must be twenty-one years of age if alcoholic beverages are to be served and must reside within the boundaries of the Bridgeport School District. Proof of residence may be required.

B.    The serving of alcohol on the premises shall be subject to the rules and regulations of the State of Washington Liquor Control Board and all applicable permits shall be obtained by the applicant in advance of the family function.

C.    No alcoholic beverages shall be served to anyone under the age of twenty-one years and no alcohol beverages shall be served outside of the structure where the family function is held.

D.    All family functions shall end at twelve midnight or earlier.

E.    The number of individuals in attendance at the family function shall not exceed the number of guests invited to the family function as represented on the family function application.

F.    The number of invited guests shall not exceed the fire code regulations for the structure where the family function is held.

G.    The applicant shall arrange directly for and compensate a minimum of two security guards. The security guards must be currently certified employees of a qualified security firm approved by the city. A list of city-approved security companies will be maintained by the city and will be provided to an applicant upon request.

H.    Absolutely no money may be collected at the family function either by payment of a fee or by donation.

I.    The noise level inside the building shall not exceed ninety-five decibels. (Ord. 530 § 1 (part), 2002)

5.18.050 Litter control/cleanup deposit.

A.    Prior to the issuance of any family function license, a litter control/cleanup deposit in the form of a cashier’s check in the amount of one hundred dollars shall be deposited with the city clerk-treasurer as security for the cleanup of all litter resulting from the family function 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 family function conducted by the licensee, within twelve hours of the end of the family function, the city may cause such litter to be cleaned up and pay the cost of the cleanup out of the security deposit. Litter resulting from the family function shall be limited to that occurring within a two hundred foot radius of the location of the family function. In the event the cost of the cleanup exceeds the amount of funds on deposit, the licensee shall pay such excess costs to the city.

B.    The remainder of all funds deposited as security for litter cleanup, if any, shall be refunded by the city clerk-treasurer to the licensee, without interest, within five days following the completion of the family function. (Ord. 530 § 1 (part), 2002)

5.18.060 Access by clerk-treasurer, police and fire officers.

The city clerk-treasurer or his or her designee, all officers of the Douglas County sheriff’s office, and the city fire chief or his or her designee shall have unrestricted access to the family function and the structure where the family function is being conducted, for the purpose of inspection and to enforce compliance with the provisions of this chapter and other applicable city, county and state health, zoning, building, fire and safety ordinances and laws.

5.18.070 License limited to licensee and location.

Any license issued under the provisions of this chapter shall apply to a single licensee, a single location, a single event and on a single date and shall not be transferable to other locations, to other persons or to other dates. (Ord. 530 § 1 (part), 2002)

5.18.080 Civil penalty.

A.    Any violation of the terms of the provisions of this chapter shall result in immediate revocation of the family function license permit issued by the city.

B.    In addition to the revocation of the license provided for in subsection (A) of this section, each individual and/or entity who violates the terms of this chapter shall be subject to a civil penalty in the maximum amount of three hundred dollars in the Bridgeport Municipal Court.

C.    Any violation of the terms or provisions of this chapter shall be grounds for the city to refuse to issue another family function license permit to the applicant for any application submitted within five years of the date of the violation. (Ord. 530 § 1 (part), 2002)