For the purpose of this article, the following definition shall apply, unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:
Carnivals, circuses, and other tent shows.
Every exhibition of music, song, recitation, dancing, acrobatics, and slight of hand performances and other kinds of performances, given, shown, exhibited, or performed in the open or under a tent or canvas and whether or not an admission fee is charged.
(1967 Code, sec. 4-8; Ordinance 149 adopted –/–/–; 1994 Code, sec. 112.30)
(a) 
Required.
Except as otherwise provided in this article, it shall be unlawful to hereafter sponsor, operate, run or cause to be operated a carnival, circus, or other tent show in the city unless a permit to hold the carnival or tent show is first obtained from the city in accordance with this article.
(b) 
Application.
A permit shall be issued by order of the city council to hold the carnival, circus, or other tent show when and only when a proper application in writing is made therefor and to them. The application shall be made ten full calendar days in advance, excluding the day the application is made, of the proposed commencing of the holding of a tent show, carnival, or circus and shall state in detail the different components of the show, including all concessions, shows, and amusements in detail, business and proposed location of the show, the time or duration it is to run, the number of persons regularly traveling therewith, if any, and the number of local persons connected therewith, and shall give a full and complete plan of the proposed show.
(c) 
Fee.
The applicant for the permit required by subsection (a) shall pay a fee as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code for each day the carnival, circus, or other tent show intends to operate, as reflected in their application for the permit or license; provided, however, that this fee may be waived by the city council.
(1967 Code, secs. 4-9–4-11; Ordinance 149 adopted –/–/–; 1994 Code, sec. 112.31; Ordinance adopting 2021 Code)
It shall be unlawful for any carnival, circus, or other tent show to operate, and no permit shall be issued for any show to operate, within a space of 500 feet of the property line of any business house or residence, school building, or church house within the limits of the city.
(1967 Code, sec. 4-12; Ordinance 149 adopted –/–/–; 1994 Code, sec. 112.32)
The city council may waive any and all restrictions and requirements of this article upon consideration of any and all applications for a permit hereunder. Consideration for the waiver of restrictions and requirements shall be upon written request therefor presented in writing by the applicant and/or applicants for the permit.
(1967 Code, sec. 4-13; Ordinance 149 adopted –/–/–; Ordinance 386 adopted 5/9/78; 1994 Code, sec. 112.33)
Each person aiding or abetting the holding of a carnival, circus, or other tent show or subsidiary shows, concessions, amusements, and business of tent shows shall be equally guilty of a violation of this article where the carnival, circus, or tent show commences without a permit.
(1967 Code, sec. 4-14; Ordinance 149 adopted –/–/–; 1994 Code, sec. 112.34)