Chapter 5.12
PUBLIC DANCES

Sections:

5.12.010    Definitions.

5.12.020    Permit required – Fees.

5.12.030    Chaperone requirements.

5.12.040    Permit fee – Generally.

5.12.050    Hours – Restrictions.

5.12.055    Control of illegal conduct during teenage dances.

5.12.060    Public dance hall license revocation.

5.12.070    Police to shut down dance – Conditions.

5.12.010 Definitions.

A. “Public dance” means any dance for ball to which the public generally may gain admission with or without the payment of an admission fee. “Dance hall” means any room, hall, pavilion, platform or other structure kept for the purpose of conducting therein public dances or dancing.

B. “Teenage dance” means any dance or ball at which only the public, under the age of twenty-one years, may gain admission with or without payment of an admission fee.

C. “Adults dance” means any dance or ball at which only the public, over the age of twenty years, may gain admission with or without payment of an admission fee. (Ord. 593 §§1, 2, 1977; 530 §§1, 2, 1970).

5.12.020 Permit required – Fees.

No person, firm, or organization, except churches and schools, shall hold any teenage dance or public dance within the city limits without having first obtained a city permit. The permit shall require the payment of a fee as set forth by resolution, if arrangements are made to have the dance chaperoned by three married couples of the age of twenty-five years or over. The permit shall also require the payment of the police officer's regular rate of pay for the length of the dance or four hours, whichever is greater, if arrangements are made to have a uniformed city police officer chaperone the dance, in which case the permittee shall be responsible for obtaining the officer chaperone. (Ord. 886 §3, 2016; Ord. 607, 1980; Ord. 593 §3, 1977; Ord. 591 §1, 1977; Ord. 530 §3, 1970).

5.12.030 Chaperone requirements.

A. No teenage dance or public dance shall be held, or no permit issued, unless the dance is chaperoned by either:

1. Not less than three married couples of the age of twenty-five years or over, or

2. A uniformed city police officer.

B. When the dance is to be chaperoned by three married couples, the names of those couples shall be supplied to the city and entered upon the permit before its issuance. Changes may be made in the named chaperones up to the time of the dance by notifying the office from which the permit was obtained or police department of the name of the replacement chaperones. (Ord. 731 §1; Ord. 665 §1, 1989; Ord. 593 §4, 1977; Ord. 591 §2, 1977; Ord. 530 §4, 1970).

5.12.040 Permit fee – Generally.

Other dances, not including private clubs and churches, shall pay a permit fee as set forth by resolution; provided, that no fee shall be charged for a dance to be given for charitable purposes. (Ord. 886 §4, 2016; Ord. 530 §5, 1970).

5.12.050 Hours – Restrictions.

No public dance shall be conducted on Sundays after 1:00 a.m., or between 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on other days. No teenage dance shall be conducted after twelve midnight. (Ord. 530 §6, 1970).

5.12.055 Control of illegal conduct during teenage dances.

The licensee and/or chaperones shall not allow persons to attend the dance who are obviously under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol, nor shall they allow attendees to consume or use drugs or alcohol during the course of the dance. (Ord. 665 §2, 1989).

5.12.060 Public dance hall license revocation.

The city council may at any time without notice revoke a public dance hall license. (Ord. 530 §8, 1970).

5.12.070 Police to shut down dance – Conditions.

If, during the course of a pubic dance, a city, county, or state law enforcement officer shall find that the named chaperones are not in attendance or that use and/or users of illegal drugs or alcohol are not being controlled, he or she may shut down the dance immediately and cause the participants, promoters, and musicians to vacate the premises. This section shall not restrict further prosecution of any criminal activity. (Ord. 665 §3, 1989).