The following words shall have the following meanings when used in this chapter, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
PERSON IN CHARGE OF PROPERTY An agent, occupant, lessee, contract purchaser or person other than the owner having possession or control of property.
PUBLIC GATHERING All assemblies of people for the purpose of public amusement reasonably anticipated to number more than 300 for a continuous period of three hours or more, whether or not an admission fee is charged. Public gatherings, municipally sponsored, are exempt from the permitting requirements of this chapter.
SPONSOR Any person, association, partnership, firm, corporation, joint venture or any other legal entity whatsoever who initiates, organizes, promotes, permits, conducts or causes to be advertised a public gathering.
It shall be unlawful for any sponsor, owner of property or person in charge of property to initiate, organize, promote, permit, conduct or cause to be advertised a public gathering unless a permit has been obtained pursuant to this chapter. A separate permit shall be required for each public gathering for the period of time designated by the permit.
No public gathering may be held within the boundaries of the Township unless the sponsor, the owner of property and the person in charge of the property upon which the gathering will be conducted jointly apply for and are granted a permit as provided in this chapter.
Written application for a permit for each public gathering shall be submitted to the Board at least 60 days prior to the first day upon which the public gathering is to commence.
Application for a permit shall be made on forms specified by the Board and shall contain the following information:
A. The full legal names, addresses and telephone numbers of all sponsors.
B. The full legal names and addresses of the owner and person in charge of the property to be utilized for the public gathering.
C. If the sponsor-applicant is a partnership or joint venture, then all parties thereof shall sign as applicants. If the sponsor-applicant is a corporation, copies of the articles of incorporation, bylaws and resolutions authorizing the application may be required.
D. The location and address of the property to be utilized for the public gathering.
E. The program for the public gathering or, if no program is prepared, a narrative statement as to the purpose for which the public gathering is to be conducted.
F. A diagrammatic sketch plan of the proposed site of the public gathering showing the locations and dimensions of the proposed service roads and any proposed temporary structures, portable water facilities, sanitary facilities, sewage disposal facilities, medical service facilities, distribution of security personnel and provision for food storage, as well as camping facilities and projected plans for enclosure, if necessary, of the proposed site.
G. Evidence that all permits and licenses as required by state and county statutes and rules and regulations enacted thereunder have been obtained or will be obtained.
H. A statement of the number of persons expected to attend such event and the duration of such attendance.
I. The specific details relating to food and drink; sanitary facilities; transportation and parking facilities; security and protection of surrounding areas, including specific reference to the number of marshals assisting in the control of traffic and supervision of those attending; on-site medical facilities and hospital care; janitorial services; and postgathering trash removal.
J. A certified copy of the bond or verified evidence of other suitable financial arrangements, as hereinafter required, must be attached to the application.
K. A statement containing the names and addresses of licensed ticket printers to be used and the plans for assuring the return of moneys upon the termination or cancellation of the event, as well as the means of notifying potential and existing ticket holders of such cancellation, where the anticipated number of people attending is over 5,000 persons.
L. Examples of proposed advertising of the event, if any.
M. Applicant's statement that they shall abide by the terms and provisions of this chapter and all laws, rules and regulations of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Bucks and the Township.
Each application shall be accompanied with a cash fee in an amount as set forth in the Warwick Township Fee Schedule to cover the cost of inspection, investigation, issuance and administration of the permit. No part of the permit application fee shall be refundable.
The Board or its designee shall either grant or deny the application for permit at least 20 days prior to the first date upon which the public gathering is to commence.
All facilities, including any stage, to be specially assembled, constructed or erected for the public gathering must be in place at least 24 hours before the commencement of the public gathering, must have a valid building permit issued by the Township and must be inspected and approved by the Building Inspector of the Township prior to commencement of the gathering. All electrical work either permanent or temporary which is installed under the permit for the gathering shall be inspected and approved by an independent underwriting agency prior to the Township inspection.
All facilities, whether located indoors or outdoors, shall be in place at least 24 hours prior to the commencement of the public gathering and approved by the Fire Marshal of the Township.
Any person or entity who initiates, organizes, promotes, permits, conducts or causes to be advertised a public gathering without obtaining the permit required in this chapter or who knowingly conducts, permits or allows a public gathering with a permit but in violation of the terms and provisions of this chapter and of the permit granted or who shall counsel, aid or abet such violation or failure to comply shall, upon a summary conviction before a District Justice, be sentenced to pay a fine of $1,000, plus the costs of prosecution. Upon default of payment of said fine, said person shall be sentenced to undergo imprisonment in the Bucks County Prison for a period not exceeding 30 days. Each day's violation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall constitute a separate and distinct offense. In addition to the above, the Township also reserves the option of pursuing any and all other remedies permitted at law or in equity, whether in advance of the public gathering or following the public gathering.