For purposes of this chapter, the following words shall have
the following meanings:
"Dance promoter"
shall mean an individual or organization who uses the facilities
of another owner to organize, oversee, or otherwise promote a public
or private dance. When more than one promoter is involved in promoting
one event, they shall decide among themselves which one shall be considered
the dance promoter for the purposes of this chapter.
"Dancing school"
shall mean an establishment that provides classes or instruction
predominantly on dancing.
"Private dance"
shall mean recreational dancing that occurs at a private
dancehall.
"Private dancehall"
shall mean a business establishment that provides recreational
dancing facilities, either as its main purpose, or as an incident
thereto, for its members or their bona fide guests.
"Public dance"
shall mean recreational dancing that occurs at a public dancehall.
"Public dancehall"
shall mean a business establishment that is open to the public
and that provides recreational dancing facilities, either as its main
purpose or as an incident thereto, for members of the public.
"Recreational dance" or "recreational dancing"
shall mean dancing for purposes of amusement or diversion.
"Recreational dancing" includes, but is not limited to, social dancing
and does not include a dance performance for purposes of entertaining
an audience.
"Special dance"
shall mean an individual public dance or private recreational
dance conducted by any person, dancing club, dancing school or association
of persons, dancing clubs or dancing schools, which dance, if authorized
will result in not more than three such dances being held by such
person or group in any three-month period.
(Prior code § 6439(a); Ord. 90-269 § 1, 1990; Ord. 92-335 § 2, 1992; Ord. 95-451 §§ 21, 22, 1995)
1. Procedure. In addition to the information prescribed by
the Director, the following information shall also be required of
any applicant for a business license to operate a public or private
dance at a public or private dancehall or to operate a special dance:
(a) The names and addresses of the persons who have authority or control
over the location for which the license is requested, and a brief
statement of the nature and extent of their authority or control;
and
(b) The name and address of each of the owners of the premises upon which
the licensed activity is to be conducted, if the applicant is leasing
such premises from the owners.
2. Special Dance Information.
(a) In addition to the information prescribed by the Director and subsection
(1) of this section, an applicant for a business license to operate
a special dance shall specify the number of dances held within the
previous three-month period immediately preceding the date of the
application.
(b) An application for a special dance must be filed within forty-five
days of the date upon which the dance is to be held, unless the Director
shortens that period of time upon a showing of good cause.
(c) A special dance license may only be issued if no more than three
such dances will be held in any three-month period. A separate license
must be issued for each special dance and a separate application must
be filed for each dance, in accordance with the provisions of this
chapter.
(Prior code § 6439(b); Ord. 90-269 § 1, 1990; Ord. 92-335 § 2, 1992; Ord. 95-451 §§ 21, 22, 1995; Ord. 08-800 § 2, 2008)
1. Manager Required. Any public dance, private dance or special
dance shall have a responsible person on the premises to act as manager
and supervise employees at all times during which the dance is ongoing.
2. Number of Employees.
(a) Every establishment operating a public, private or special dance
which has a capacity of two hundred persons or less shall provide
at least one employee in constant attendance during the hours of operation
of the public, private or special dance. Such establishment shall
provide at least one additional employee for each one-hundred-person
incremental gain in capacity.
(b) These employees shall be responsible for keeping order during the
hours of operation of the public, private or special dance, and checking
the admission of minors, where applicable.
3. Inspection Authority. Any city official or employee authorized
to enforce the provisions of this chapter or the West Hollywood Municipal
Code may conduct an inspection of the premises licensed under this
chapter at any reasonable time to ensure compliance with the provisions
of this chapter.
4. Display of Licenses. In addition to the requirement set forth in Section
5.04.110, the business owner shall display, in a prominent and visible location, the license of any promoter for an event at that location. The promoter's license shall be displayed in the same location as the business owner's license but need only be displayed during the promoted event(s).
5. Neighborhood Clean-up. The business owner and/or promoter
at that location shall clean-up or cause to be cleaned up excessive
litter and trash on the residential streets, if any, within a one-block
radius of the business location at least once a week for the period
during which one or more events take place.
6. Complaints. An employee of each business owner licensee
shall be appointed to address, during hours of operation, all complaints.
The name and phone number of the employee shall be posted adjacent
to the business license and shall be mailed or hand delivered to residences,
if any, within a one-block radius. The business owner licensee shall
make reasonable efforts to address each complaint. The licensee shall
keep a log of all complaints and follow-up and shall make the information
available to city staff upon request.
7. Control of Events. The business owner licensee shall retain
full control of all events on the property and ensure that any and
all conditions of approval are adhered to. All events, including events
organized by promoters, shall be supervised and managed by employees
of the licensee. This shall include all club operations, ticket sales,
parking arrangements, advertising and promotion of any event.
8. Alcoholic Beverages. All new employees of business owner
licensees serving alcohol to patrons shall enroll in a certified training
program for the responsible service of alcohol. The training shall
be offered to new employees on no less than a quarterly basis.
9. Merchandise Sales. No business owner licensee shall sell
merchandise except inside the establishment.
10. Open Doors. No door of any business may be propped open
after 6:00 p.m., except for the period during which goods are being
delivered to the establishment, and then only if continuously attended
by an employee of the business owner.
11. Security. The business owner and/or promoter shall provide
and employ uniformed off-duty Sheriff Deputies and other security
guards as necessary at on-site and off-site parking locations to address
noise, traffic, and safety concerns.
12. Designated Driver Signs. Signs recommending the use of a
"designated driver" shall be posted at all bar areas and at the entrance
and exits to the establishment. The signs shall measure at least six
inches by six inches.
13. Joint Responsibility for Violations and Noise Control. Violations of subsections
(6),
(8) and
(12) of this section and violations of the Noise Control Ordinance set forth in Chapter
9.08 of the West Hollywood Municipal Code by either the business owner or the promoter, or both, shall be grounds for revocation of the business owner's license and the promoter's license.
(Prior code § 6439(c); Ord. 90-269 § 1, 1990; Ord. 92-335 § 2, 1992; Ord. 95-451 §§ 21, 22, 1995; Ord. 09-809 § 2, 2009; Ord. 12-889 § 3, 2012; Ord. 17-1019 § 7, 2018)