[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of
Lehigh 2-12-1980 as Art. 307 of the 1980 Code of Ordinances. Amendments noted
where applicable.]
This chapter shall apply to circuses, sideshows and any other outdoor
shows under tents or temporary structures operating in the Township.
No permit issued for any such circus or show shall become operative
and effective, and no such circus or show shall be permitted to proceed, until
an inspection shall have been made by the police or other designated Township
official.
A.
Such inspection shall be made by representatives of the
Township or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania acting in cooperation with each
other for the purpose of determining that, to the most practical degree possible,
all factors are present to preclude and prevent danger to the public from
injury, fire and panic.
B.
No circus or show shall be permitted to open without
said operators paying a license fee in an amount established by the Board.
Such inspection shall include and must find:
A.
That the grounds are safe for use by the public, that
no conditions exist which are liable to cause injury and that the premises
are sufficiently clear of straw, dry grass or combustible trash.
B.
That the seats, platform, poles and all other portions
of the structure are sufficiently sound, stable and secure to insure the public
safety.
C.
That provisions have been made for a sufficient number
of aisles and exits to insure lighted and unobstructed passageways to areas
well away from the tent or other place of such circus or show.
D.
That adequate provisions have been made for first aid
in case of injury and for first aid fire appliances which must be properly
distributed throughout the grounds. The inspection must also reveal that the
operating personnel are familiar with their use and location.
E.
If a canvas tent or temporary structure of any other
material is used to house such circus or show, that such tent or other temporary
structure is fireproof or flameproof or has been rendered fireproof or flameproof
insofar as the same is practically possible by the use of recognized standards.
F.
Where toilet or other sanitary facilities have been provided,
that such facilities are adequate to insure the public health and so located
as to avoid endangering the public safety.
The Board may establish suitable and proper rules and regulations to
implement and render more fully effective the provisions of this chapter.
A.
The Chief of Police or other duly authorized representative
of the Township shall have the power, in the event any of the foregoing provisions
of this chapter are violated, to stop any such circus or show immediately
and debar it from continuing.
B.
Any license issued for any such circus or show may be
revoked at any time for cause. Thereupon such circus or show must cease operation
immediately and shall not be permitted to resume unless and until the license
is reinstated.
