[HISTORY: Adopted by the City of Council of the City of Chester 1-14-1969 by Ord. No. 2-1969 (Art. 327 of the 1978 Codified Ordinances). Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, certain terms are defined as follows:
DANCE HALL or BALLROOM
Includes any room, place or space in which a public dance or public ball is held, and any room, hall or academy in which classes in dancing are held and instruction in dancing is given for hire.
PUBLIC DANCE or PUBLIC BALL
Includes any dance or ball conducted in connection with instruction in dancing for hire, any dance or ball to which admission may be had by the payment of a fee or by the purchase, possession or presentation of a ticket or token, or in connection with which a charge is made for caring for clothing or other property, and any dance or ball to which the public may generally gain admission with or without the payment of a fee.
A. 
No person, society, club or corporation shall hold a public dance or public ball, within the City, without having first obtain a permit therefor from the Mayor, except for dances held and conducted by regularly established instructors in dancing in connection with such instruction.
B. 
The fee for a dance permit, which shall be paid at the time of the permit issuance, shall be $1 for each public dance or ball.
A. 
No person shall hold or conduct any public dance or public ball, or hold or conduct classes in dancing, or give instructions in dancing for hire, in any hall, ballroom or academy, within the City, unless the dance hall, ballroom or academy, in which the same is held, have been duly licensed for such purpose.
B. 
Application for such license shall be made by the proprietor of such dance hall or ballroom or academy to the Mayor, who is hereby authorized to issue the same.
C. 
The fee payable for each such license granted hereunder is as follows:
(1) 
In the case of dance halls maintained and conducted in connection with regularly established instruction in dancing, and exclusively used in such connection, the annual license fee shall be $10.
(2) 
In the case of all other dance halls and ballrooms, the annual license fee shall $15.
D. 
Each license granted hereunder shall expire on June 1 of each year.
E. 
The fee payable for each license granted hereunder shall be for the whole or any portion of the calendar year and all moneys received as license fees shall be paid into the General Fund.
F. 
Every licensed public dance hall, ballroom or academy shall post its license in a conspicuous place within the premises where the dance is held.
It shall be the duty of the Mayor to cause an investigation of all applications for public dance hall or ballroom licenses to determine whether or not the dance hall, ballroom, or academy sought to be licensed, complies with the rules, regulations, ordinances and laws applicable thereto. In making such investigation, the Mayor shall, when desired, have the assistance of any City department.
No license for a public dance hall, ballroom or academy shall be issued until it is ascertained that the place for which it is issued complies with and conforms to all laws, ordinances, health and fire regulations applicable thereto, and is a safe and proper place for the purpose of which it will be used, properly ventilated and supplied with sufficient toilet facilities.
The license of any public dance hall, ballroom or academy may be suspended or revoked by the Mayor for disorderly or immoral conduct on the premises, or upon proof that the premises were frequented by disorderly or immoral persons, or for the violation of any of the rules, regulations, ordinances and laws, including this chapter. If at any time the license of a public dance hall, ballroom or academy is suspended or revoked, at least three months shall elapse before another license or permit is granted for dancing on the same premises.
All public dance halls, ballrooms or academies shall be kept at all times in a clean, healthful and sanitary condition, and all stairways and other passages and all rooms connected with the premises, shall be kept open and well-lighted.
A. 
All public dance halls, ballrooms and academies shall be subject to inspection by the Police Department at all reasonable times and whenever they are open for dancing, instruction in dancing or for any other purpose.
B. 
Any police officer shall have the power to cause the place, hall or room where any public dance or ball is given to be vacated whenever any provisions of any law or ordinance with regard to public dances and public balls and any other City ordinance is being violated, or whenever any indecent act is committed, or when any disorder of a gross, violent vulgar character takes place therein.
All public dances shall be discontinued and all public dance halls shall be closed, on or before the hour of 1:00 a.m. However, upon the application of a bona fide organization or society, and public investigation by the proper authority, the Mayor may grant such organization or society a permit to continue a dance until 2:00 a.m.
[Amended 6-6-1990 by Ord. No. 4-1990]
Any person, society, club or corporation who violates any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding, be fined not more than $600 and costs of prosecution and, in default of the payment thereof, shall be imprisoned for not more than 90 days. Each day's violation of this chapter shall constitute a separate violation thereof.