The purpose of this chapter is to regulate the operation of entertainment and dancing establishment where liquor is served for the protection of the public welfare, health, and safety of those that attend and patronize these establishments by:
A. 
Requiring licenses for entertainment or dancing establishments where liquor is served;
B. 
Requiring reports to the Fire Marshal;
C. 
Requiring reports to the Police Chief; and
D. 
Requiring security personnel to be licensed when an entertainment or dancing establishment uses security personnel to provide crowd control; protect persons or property from harm or unlawful activity; deter, observe, or detect unlawful or unauthorized activity; or supervise entry and exit at the establishment.
(Ord. 27588 Ex. B, 2007-02-20; Ord. 27853 Ex. A, 2009-12-08; Ord. 28540 Ex. A, 2018-11-06; Ord. 28594 Ex. A, 2019-07-02)
It is unlawful for any person to operate or engage in the business of operating an entertainment or dancing establishment in the City without first obtaining a license pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. For purposes of this chapter, this license is referred to as an “Entertainment/Dancing license.”
(Ord. 27297 § 1, 2004-11-23; Ord. 27853 Ex. A, 2009-12-08; Ord. 28540 Ex. A, 2018-11-06)
“Dancing place”
means any room, place, space, or private club in the City open for the serving of the public or members, in which the members, guests, patrons, entertainers, or other persons are permitted to, dance in the connection with the business of directly or indirectly selling liquor for consumption on or within the premises.
“Entertainment”
means an activity where the public, members, guests, patrons, entertainers, or other persons sing, perform, or otherwise engage in musical entertainment, presentation of recorded music played on equipment which is operated by an agent or contractor of an establishment, commonly known as a “DJ” or “disc jockey,” presentations by single or multiple performers, such as hypnotists, mimes, comedians; musical song or dance acts, plays, concerts, any type of contest; sporting events, exhibitions, carnival, rodeo or circus acts, demonstrations of talent; exhibitions, theatrical performances, shows, or similar amusements to which the public or members are invited or allowed to watch, listen, or participate or that is conducted for the purposes of holding the attention or, gaining the attention of or diverting or amusing guests or patrons in connection with the business of directly or indirectly selling liquor for consumption on or within the premises. “Entertainment” includes “dancing.”
“Establishment”
means any indoor or outdoor room, place, space, or private club in the City open for the serving of the public or members that provides “entertainment.” Establishment includes parking spaces or parking lots provided for or used by the establishment’s customers and under the control of the licensee.
“Liquor”
shall have the same meaning as in RCW 66.04.010.
“Musical entertainment,”
as used in this chapter, shall not apply to phonographs, radios, or mechanical devices used for the reproduction of music for the listening enjoyment of the members or patrons only.
“Security personnel”
shall mean a security guard, bouncer, door person, or any person performing similar duties who is present at an entertainment or dancing establishment to provide crowd control; protect persons or property from harm or unlawful activity; deter, observe, and detect unlawful or unauthorized activity; or supervise entry and exit at the establishment.
“Temporary event”
means an entertainment event in duration of less than 11 days.
“Training program”
means a program approved by the Police Chief that includes, but is not limited to, training and information about necessary force, use of proper equipment, fire safety and evacuation, report writing, fake identification, emergency response procedures, and curriculum from the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board’s Mandatory Alcohol Server Training that can be applied to security personnel.
“Written safety plan”
means a written document submitted with the entertainment or dancing license that includes, at a minimum, the following information about the entertainment or dancing establishment:
1. 
When using security personnel, identify the number of security personnel and where they will be/are located throughout the establishment.
2. 
Procedures for verifying security personnel are property licensed as outlined by this chapter. Records of current security personnel must be available upon request by a public official.
3. 
Procedures for checking identification and searching patrons;
4. 
Procedures for ensuring that only persons 21 years or older are served liquor or allowed in areas restricted to persons over 21 years;
5. 
Procedures for handling violent incidents, other emergencies, and calling the Tacoma Police Department;
6. 
A description of the training provided or completed by the security and other personnel, including conflict de-escalation training;
7. 
Procedures for crowd control and preventing overcrowding;
8. 
Procedures for disturbances outside the premises, including property adjacent to or in proximity to the establishment, from patrons entering and leaving the establishment, i.e. loitering, vandalism, noise, parking, and crowd dispersal;
9. 
Current hours of operation and anticipated hours of operation; and
10. 
Current contact information for the person or position responsible for addressing safety, security, or City code-related complaints by patrons or neighborhood residents.
11. 
A detailed description of the type of entertainment activity occurring at the establishment.
(Ord. 27297 § 1, 2004-11-23; Ord. 27588 Ex. B, 2007-02-20; Ord. 27853 Ex. A, 2009-12-08; Ord. 27905 Ex. A, 2010-07-20; Ord. 28540 Ex. A, 2018-11-06; Ord. 28594 Ex. A, 2019-07-02; Ord. 28910 Ex. A, 2023-10-31; Ord. 29046 Ex. A, 2025-07-01)
A. 
“Class ‘A’ Entertainment” shall mean any live entertainment in which one or more persons are engaged or employed to provide dancing performances or other similar amusements, where the entertainers receive compensation directly from the patrons, and shall include any activities authorized under the “B” and “C” class licenses.
B. 
“Class ‘B’ Entertainment” shall mean any live entertainment in which the patrons are permitted to dance, and shall include any activities authorized under Class ”C” licenses.
C. 
“Class ‘C’ Entertainment” shall mean any live entertainment not included in the definition of Class “A” Entertainment and Class “B” Entertainment above, and shall include entertainment where a musical, theatrical, or dramatic performance, show, or other similar performance is provided.
(Ord. 27297 § 1, 2004-11-23; Ord. 27853 Ex. A, 2009-12-08)
No person shall commence, conduct, manage, operate, or maintain any entertainment establishment or entertainment event without having a license to do so issued by the City. The license fees shall be as follows:
Entertainment/Dancing Class License
First Year
Renewal or Temporary
Class “A”
$1,500
$1,000
Class “B”
$450
$300
Class “C”
$200
$150
(Ord. 27297 § 1, 2004-11-23; Ord. 27853 Ex. A, 2009-12-08; Ord. 28540 Ex. A, 2018-11-06; Ord. 29046 Ex. A, 2025-07-01)
All entertainment establishments shall be closed at or before 2:00 a.m. and shall remain closed until 6:00 a.m. on the same day unless authorized by the Director.
(Ord. 29046 Ex. A, 2025-07-01)
The following types of entertainment and events are exempt from the entertainment/dancing license required by this chapter. This exemption does not relieve any establishment from complying with all other applicable laws, including, but not limited to, Title 6 and the laws related to noise levels and nuisances, particularly those contained in Title 8.
A. 
Entertainment sponsored by any local or state government;
B. 
Special events receiving a Special Event permit issued by the City of Tacoma or Metro Parks; or
C. 
Entertainment provided for invited guests at a private event such as a wedding reception, banquet, or celebration where there is no admission charge or required minimum purchase at the event.
(Ord. 28540 Ex. A, 2018-11-06; Ord. 28910 Ex. A, 2023-10-31)
A. 
The licensee, owner, or operator of any establishment with a building occupancy of more than 99 persons that offers entertainment, as defined in this chapter, shall file with the license application the following:
1. 
Building information regarding square feet and number of exits;
2. 
Operational plan and scope of event or business activities;
3. 
A fire evacuation and fire safety plan for the building, as required in section 404 of the International Fire Code;
4. 
A plan for quarterly fire drills by employees, as required in section 405 of the International Fire Code; and
5. 
Any other required reports upon renewal of the Annual Assembly Permit, as defined in Section 3.09.038 TMC.
(Ord. 27588 Ex. B, 2007-02-20; Ord. 27853 Ex. A, 2009-12-08; Ord. 27905 Ex. A, 2010-07-20; Ord. 28023 Ex. A, 2011-10-11; Ord. 28540 Ex. A, 2018-11-06)
A. 
The licensee, owner, or operator of any establishment shall file with the license application a written safety plan, as defined in this chapter.
B. 
Establishments shall file their written safety plans upon initial application with the Director, who shall distribute them to the Tacoma Police Department. No establishment may open to the public without filing a written safety plan in accordance with this section and receiving notification that the Entertainment/Dancing license has been approved by the City.
C. 
Establishments shall make an updated copy of their safety plan available for review by the establishment’s employees. The safety plan shall be made available upon request by the City, patrons, or neighborhood residents.
D. 
The written safety plan must be reviewed at least once every year by the business owner. If there are any changes from the original written safety plan filed upon initial application, an updated safety plan must be submitted to the Director with the next annual license renewal.
(Ord. 27853 Ex. A, 2009-12-08; Ord. 28540 Ex. A, 2018-11-06; Ord. 28594 Ex. A, 2019-07-02)
A. 
Temporary events in location without current entertainment license. Temporary events as defined in this chapter shall, at least 15 business days prior to the start of the event, file a written safety plan with application for the license to the Director, who shall distribute to the Tacoma Police Department. No temporary event may open to the public without filing a written safety plan in accordance with this section and receiving notification that the Entertainment/Dancing license has been approved by the City.
B. 
Temporary events in location with current entertainment license. Temporary events as defined in this chapter that will occur at an establishment that is licensed under Chapter 6B.70 may be required, at least 15 business days prior to the start of the event, to submit a written safety plan with application for the temporary event and receive approval from the City prior to the event opening to the public. A safety plan will be required if requested by the Tacoma Police Department, Tacoma Fire Department, or other City official and determined to be necessary for the health and safety of the public and the attendees of the event.
(Ord. 28594 Ex. A, 2019-07-02)
A. 
No person may work as security personnel at an entertainment or dancing establishment without obtaining a security personnel license.
B. 
Prior to a license being issued, any person meeting the definition of “security personnel” is required to:
1. 
Consent to be fingerprinted for a state and federal criminal background check upon initial application and at least every four years;
2. 
Submit with the application, one current full-face digital photograph of the licensee, submitted electronically or consent to a full-face photograph taken by the Director;
3. 
Consent to a state and/or federal criminal background check at every license renewal; and
4. 
Submit payment of $50 for the security personnel license.
C. 
Proof of attendance from a training program, as defined in this chapter, that is provided by the City, must be submitted within 10 days from initial application or proof of a training program recognized by the City may be submitted with the initial application.
D. 
When using security personnel at establishment, security personnel shall wear uniforms and be readily identifiable as private security personnel.
E. 
The security personnel license shall be effective as of the first day of the month regardless of the actual date of issue and shall expire two (2) years from the effective date.
(Ord. 27853 Ex. A, 2009-12-08; Ord. 28023 Ex. A, 2011-10-11; Ord. 28540 Ex. A, 2018-11-06; Ord. 28594 Ex. A, 2019-07-02; Ord. 28910 Ex. A, 2023-10-31; Ord. 29046 Ex. A, 2025-07-01)
A. 
Security Personnel Licensing.
The Director may deny, suspend, or revoke any security personnel license if the Director determines that:
1. 
Within seven years of the date of application, the licensee has had a felony conviction, bail forfeiture, or other final adverse finding involving crimes reasonably related to the licensee’s ability to safely provide security, including but not limited to, homicide, assault, sex offenses, robbery, extortion, kidnapping, harassment, malicious mischief, firearms offenses, rendering criminal assistance, and violations of the uniform controlled substances act, or is required to register as a sex offender, pursuant to RCW 9A.44.130
2. 
Within three years of the date of application, the licensee has had a misdemeanor conviction, bail forfeiture, or other final adverse finding involving crimes reasonably related to the licensee’s ability to safely provide security, including but not limited to, assault, sex offenses, harassment, malicious mischief, rendering criminal assistance, obstructing a police officer, resisting arrest, and violations of the uniform controlled substances act or equivalent offenses under a municipal code;
3. 
Within three years of the date of application, the licensee has been found, either through a criminal conviction, bail forfeiture, or other final adverse finding (including a civil suit or administrative proceeding) to have exhibited past conduct in working as security personnel which is reasonably related to the licensee’s fitness or ability to work as security personnel;
4. 
Within three years of the date of application, the licensee engaged in conduct which would lead the Director to reasonably conclude that the licensee will not comply with the provisions of the chapter and the safe operation of the entertainment and dancing establishment.
5. 
For any reason in Section 6B.10.140 TMC.
B. 
Dancing and Entertainment Licenses.
1. 
The Director may deny, suspend, or revoke any dancing or entertainment license application for any of the reasons in subsection A.
2. 
The Director may deny, suspend, or revoke any dancing or entertainment license application if the Director reasonably concludes that the licensee will not comply with the provisions of the chapter or the licensee’s operation of the entertainment or dancing establishment will likely endanger public health or safety. The Director may consider any relevant matter including illegal activity associated with the licensee’s operation of any other similar business activity or the conduct of the licensee’s patrons inside or outside a similar business that licensee operated.
3. 
The Director may deny, suspend, or revoke any license if:
a. 
The business is conducted by a manager or agent and the manager or agent could be denied a license if they were the applicant;
b. 
The business is owned by a partnership and any of the partners could be denied a license; or
c. 
The business is owned by a corporation and a director, officer, or manager of the corporation could be denied a license.
C. 
Any licensee who is issued a denial, suspension, or revocation of a license under this chapter may appeal the denial, suspension, or revocation, as provided in Section 6B.10.140 TMC.
(Ord. 27297 § 1, 2004-11-23; Ord. 27853 Ex. A, 2009-12-08; Ord. 28023 Ex. A, 2011-10-11; Ord. 28540 Ex. A, 2018-11-06; Ord. 28593 Ex. A, 2019-07-02; Ord. 28594 Ex. A, 2019-07-02; Ord. 28910 Ex. A, 2023-10-31; Ord. 29046 Ex. A, 2025-07-01)
The following persons are exempt from the security personnel license required by this chapter.
A. 
A commissioned law enforcement officer or any person possessing a valid security guard license issued under chapter 18.170 RCW.
B. 
A person performing the functions of security personnel at a private club that has a valid “club license” issued by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board and complies with all requirements of RCW 66.24.450 and chapter 314-40 WAC.
(Ord. 28910 Ex. A, 2023-10-31)
A. 
No business activity is permitted prior to license approval. Applicants shall allow the premises sought to be licensed under this Chapter to be inspected by the Director and/or public officials for the purpose of ensuring public safety and that the applicant meets all licensing and other legal requirements. Failure to grant access shall result in denial of the license application and/or cause for summary suspension of the license.
B. 
Licensees shall provide the Director and/or public officials free access to any open public areas of the establishment whenever guests, patrons, or club members are present for the purpose of inspection in accordance with TMC § 6B.10.180.
(Ord. 27853 Ex. A, 2009-12-08; Ord. 29046 Ex. A, 2025-07-01)
Each application for an entertainment/dancing license or for renewal of the same made by or on behalf of a corporation shall include a list of the names and addresses of all directors, officers, and shareholders of such corporation, and if at any time changes of directors, officers, or shareholders shall occur, said list shall forthwith be amended by notice in writing filed with the Director, and failure to comply with this section shall be an additional ground for suspension or revocation of such license.
(Ord. 27297 § 1, 2004-11-23; Ord. 27853 Ex. A, 2009-12-08)
Any license issued pursuant to this chapter shall be subject to any rules or regulations of the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board relating to the sale of intoxicating liquors. This chapter shall not be construed as imposing a license fee upon the sale or privilege of selling beer, wine, or any intoxicating liquors.
(Ord. 27297 § 1, 2004-11-23; Ord. 28594 Ex. A, 2019-07-02)