[Ord. 83-1, 1/13/1983, § 1]
The subject matter of this Part is the regulation, licensing
and fines for the operation of machines operated as games of skill
for amusement by patrons who pay money to use said machines in Susquehanna
Township whether operated manually or by coins, tokens, slugs, pins,
pegs, balls, electric batteries, electric current, or remote control.
These coin operated machines include, but are not limited to, pinball
machines, electronically operated shuffleboard, bowling, video games,
electronically operated tennis, billiards, and other games of amusement.
These games of amusement do not include any coin operated musical
devices nor any machine which dispenses tangible personal property.
[Ord. 83-1, 1/13/1983, § 2; as amended by Ord.
85-21, 12/30/1985]
1. It is the purpose of this law that after the effective date of this
Part, except for 501(c) nonprofit organizations exempt under the Internal
Revenue Code, it shall be unlawful for any person, persons, associations,
corporations, companies, or firms to have, keep, lease or maintain
for purposes of operation any of the aforementioned coin operated
amusement machines without first having obtained the proper license
from the Township Manager.
2. This license shall be posted at all times by affixing same in a conspicuous
place so as to be easily seen and read by all parties who visit the
premise wherein the machines are operated.
[Ord. 83-1, 1/13/1983, § 3]
The application for the aforementioned license shall be filed
in writing with the Township Manager on a form to be provided by Susquehanna
Township and shall specify:
A. Name and address of the applicant, and if a firm, corporation, partnership,
or association, the principal officers thereof and their addresses;
B. Name and address of the owner of the machines or the business —
one who leases or distributes for the purpose of operation by another
— if it be different from the applicant;
C. Address of the premises where the licensed devices are to be operated,
together with the general nature of the business carried on at such
place;
D. The number of devices to be licensed;
E. Fee that is paid and the effective dates of the application, which
shall be from whatever date the applicant starts the business of that
year until December 31 of that year.
[Ord. 83-1, 1/13/1983, § 4; as amended by Ord.
89-16, 11/21/1989]
1. No license shall be issued under this Part for any coin operated
amusement devices until the annual fee shall have been paid to the
Township Manager. This annual license fee shall be as established
by resolution of the Board of Commissioners, for each machine located
on the premises. For purposes of yearly renewal, the fee shall be
paid on or before January 31st of each year and shall bear interest
at a prevailing rate charged by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue
for Delinquent Taxes per month, or fractional part thereof, from the
date due until paid.
2. However, should any device or machine be installed after July 1st
of any year and application is made after that date, then the license
fee of that machine(s) shall be 1/2 of 50% of the annual license fee
provided for in this section.
[Ord. 83-1, 1/13/1983, § 4]
This license shall not be transferable from one applicant to
another. A new owner, proprietor, or operator shall be required to
secure a new license and pay the fees thereof. However, he shall not
be required to secure a new, or different license when one machine
is replaced by another as long as the total number of machines remains
the same.
[Ord. 83-1, 1/13/1983, § 5]
The Susquehanna Police Department, Zoning Officer, or any other
duly authorized official shall make periodic inspections of all premises
where machines of amusement and games of skill for amusement are operated
for the purpose of enforcing this Part.
[Ord. 83-1, 1/13/1983, § 7; as amended by Ord.
89-16, 11/21/1989]
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision
of this Part shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a
fine of not more than $600 and costs, or in default of payment thereof,
shall be subject to imprisonment for a term not to exceed 30 days.
Every day that a violation of this Part continues shall constitute
a separate offense.