The purpose of this chapter is to regulate the operation of entertainment and dancing establishments where no 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 and dancing establishments where liquor is not served;
B. 
Establishing minimum standards for adequate lighting and sanitary conditions of the premises;
C. 
Requiring reports to the Chief of Police and Fire Marshall;
D. 
Requiring permits for teen dances;
E. 
Establishing teen dance regulations; and
F. 
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. C, 2007-02-20; Ord. 28024 Ex. A, 2011-10-11; Ord. 28540 Ex. B, 2018-11-06; Ord. 28594 Ex. A, 2019-07-02)
It shall be unlawful for any person to conduct or engage in the business of operating an entertainment establishment in the City without having first obtained a license pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
It shall be unlawful to conduct or sponsor any teenage dance in the City without having first obtained a written permit to do so authorized by the Teenage Dance Committee, and except in full compliance with all of the conditions and provisions herein provided for.
(Ord. 27297 § 1, 2004-11-23; Ord. 27588 Ex. C, 2007-02-20; Ord. 28540 Ex. B, 2018-11-06)
A. 
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
“Bona fide private club”
means a person operating as a non-profit organization solely for objects of social or business purposes with an established membership, and when admission is not open to the public, and in which membership is by application and regular dues are charged, and the advantages of which club belong to members, and the operation of which is not primarily for monetary gain.
“Entertainment”
means any single event or series of events or an ongoing activity or business, occurring alone or as part of another business, to which the public, members, guests, or other person is 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 the public, members, guests or other persons, including but not limited to:
1. 
Dancing to live or recorded music;
2. 
The presentation of recorded music played on equipment which is operated by an agent or contractor of the establishment, commonly known as a “DJ” or “disc jockey”;
3. 
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; shows, reviews and any other such activity, exhibition, or performance which may be attended by members of the public.
“Establishment”
means any “public dance hall,” “skating rink,” “teenage dance”, indoor or outdoor room, place, space, or private club in the City open for the serving of the public or members. Establishment includes parking spaces, or parking lots provided for or used by the establishment’s customers and under the control of the license.
“Public dance” or “public skating party”
means any organized dance or ball or any skating party to which the public generally may gain admission, with or without the payment of a fee.
“Public dance hall”
means any building, room, hall, or cabaret in connection with any hotel dining room, restaurant or eating house, or any other place which is kept or used for public dancing or in which, for compensation paid directly or indirectly to the owner, proprietor, manager or operator thereof, men, women or children are permitted to engage in dancing, except that any public dance hall licensed as a cabaret pursuant to Chapter 6B.70 shall not be required to be licensed as a public dance hall.
“Security personnel”
shall mean a security guard, bouncer, door person, or any person performing similar duties who is present at an entertainment, dancing or skating 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.
“Skating rink”
means any building, room, auditorium, hall or other place which is maintained and used for public roller skating or public ice skating in which for compensation paid directly or indirectly to the owner, proprietor, manager or operator thereof, men, women or children are permitted to engage in roller skating or ice skating.
B. 
In the sections pertaining to teenage dances, the following words and phrases are defined and shall be construed as hereinafter set out unless it shall be apparent from the context that they have a different meaning:
“Sponsor or sponsoring group”
shall mean any one or more of the following:
1. 
Duly accredited public or private schools.
2. 
Governmental agencies, entities, or political subdivisions.
3. 
Bona fide clubs, dance halls, fraternal orders, societies, organizations or groups of persons organized and existing for or devoted primarily to the purposes of promoting and carrying on youth activities and recreational and dancing facilities, provided that such club, dance hall, order, society, group or organization has been regularly and duly organized, active, and in existence for at least one year prior to the time of any application for a permit for a teenage dance.
“Teenage dance committee”
means the committee hereinafter provided for.
“Teenage dance”
shall mean a special dance held under a permit authorized by the Teenage Dance Committee and conducted in compliance with this chapter.
“Temporary event”
means an entertainment event lasting in duration of less than 11 days.
“Written safety plan”
means a written document submitted with the entertainment/dancing license that includes, at a minimum, the following information about the entertainment and 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 properly licensed as required by chapter 6B.70. 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 handling violent incidents, other emergencies, and calling the Tacoma Police Department;
5. 
A description of the training provided or completed by the security and other personnel, including conflict de-escalation training;
6. 
Procedures for crowd control and preventing overcrowding;
7. 
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;
8. 
Current hours of operation and anticipated hours of operation; and
9. 
Current contact information for the person or position responsible for addressing safety, security, or City code-related complaints by patrons or neighborhood residents.
10. 
Detailed description of the entertainment to be provided at the establishment.
(Ord. 27297 § 1, 2004-11-23; Ord. 27588 Ex. C, 2007-02-20; Ord. 28024 Ex. A, 2011-10-11; Ord. 28540 Ex. B, 2018-11-06; Ord. 28594 Ex. A, 2019-07-02; Ord. 29046 Ex. A, 2025-07-01)
A. 
The license fees for an entertainment establishment are hereby fixed as follows:
 
First Year
Renewal or Temporary
Fee
$250
$150
B. 
Annual or temporary fees for charitable organizations as defined in Section 6B.10.030:
Charitable Organization
$75
C. 
Fees for issuance of a teen dance permit:
Teen Dance Permit
$125
The Committee shall require payment of the fee from the applicant to cover the cost to the City before issuing any permit; provided, however, the Committee, within its discretion, may waive payment of this fee when all of the profits from such teenage dance are used exclusively by the sponsor for youth activities and recreation purposes.
(Ord. 27297 § 1, 2004-11-23; Ord. 27406 § 7, 2005-08-30; Ord. 27588 Ex. C, 2007-02-20; Ord. 28024 Ex. A, 2011-10-11; Ord. 28540 Ex. B, 2018-11-06; Ord. 29046 Ex. A, 2025-07-01)
The following types of entertainment and events are exempt from the 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. 
Athletic events sponsored or conducted by the Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) or an elementary or secondary school wherein the athletic participants are students in such school;
B. 
Motion picture theaters not providing live entertainment;
C. 
Temporary events that are operated within an establishment licensed under this chapter; provided that such temporary event must comply with the provisions in TMC § 6B.80.041 below;
D. 
Entertainment sponsored by any local or state government;
E. 
Entertainment provided for members and their guests at a bona fide private club;
F. 
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 charge at the event;
G. 
Special Events receiving a Special Event permit issued by the City of Tacoma or Metro Parks;
H. 
Performances by the students at educational institutions as defined by the Education Code where such performances are part of an educational or instructional curriculum or program;
I. 
Book readings, book signings, poetry recitations, and any other similar entertainment consisting of the spoken word, including plays;
J. 
Entertainment limited to the use of a radio, music recording machine, juke box, television, video games, video programs, or recorded music by an establishment that does not permit dancing;
K. 
Entertainment consisting of ambient or incidental music provided for guests or patrons by singers or musicians such as a piano player, harpist, strolling violinist, mariachi band, guitarist or band. If there is an admission charge required to observe or attend such entertainment, the music will not be considered ambient or incidental;
L. 
Entertainment lawfully conducted at any business licensed under Chapter 6B.30, Adult Entertainment or Chapter 6B.70, Entertainment/Dancing – Liquor Served.
M. 
Baseball, football or other athletic games.
(Ord. 27588 Ex. C, 2007-02-20; Ord. 28024 Ex. A, 2011-10-11; Ord. 28540 Ex. B, 2018-11-06; Ord. 28594 Ex. A, 2019-07-02; Ord. 29046 Ex. A, 2025-07-01)
The exemption in Section 6B.80.035E shall not be granted to a person until the clubs constitution, bylaws, house rules and any other information requested by the Director are submitted as evidence that the person meets the definition of a bona fide private club and is approved by the Director.
(Ord. 29046 Ex. A, 2025-07-01)
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 submitted upon initial application, an updated safety plan must be submitted to the Director with the next annual license renewal.
(Ord. 27297 § 1, 2004-11-23; Ord. 27588 Ex. C, 2007-02-20; Ord. 28024 Ex. A, 2011-10-11; Ord. 28540 Ex. B, 2018-11-06; Ord. 28594 Ex. A, 2019-07-02)
A. 
Temporary events at 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 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 at 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 or 6B.80 may be required, at least 15 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. 
The licensee, owner, or operator of any establishment with a building occupancy of more than 99 persons that meets the definition for establishment, 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 business or event activity;
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.
B. 
No business activity is permitted prior to the license approval. Existing buildings will be subject to inspection for compliance with the code requirements for places of assembly. Buildings not meeting the requirements for an entertainment establishment, public dance hall, or skating rink occupancy, as adopted in Title 2 or Title 3, shall not be permitted to be used for the same purposes.
(Ord. 27588 Ex. C, 2007-02-20; Ord. 28024 Ex. A, 2011-10-11; Ord. 28540 Ex. B, 2018-11-06)
Every entertainment establishment shall at all times be kept in a clean, healthful, sanitary condition, and all stairways, halls, passages, and rooms connected with such establishment shall be kept open and well lighted. During hours of darkness, every establishment shall be lighted in such a manner and to such an extent as is usual or customary for lighting of halls or rooms of like dimensions during the hours of darkness for public assemblies before any person is admitted thereto and before any entertainment is commenced therein; provided, however, that a minimum level of 30 lux horizontal measured at 30 inches from the floor on 10-foot centers shall be established for all areas thereof; such lighting or illumination shall be maintained thereafter throughout the entire time while such establishment is open or entertainment is in progress therein and during any recess or other intermission, without diminution and without interruption until such activity is concluded and until such establishment is cleared and closed.
(Ord. 27297 § 1, 2004-11-23; Ord. 28540 Ex. B, 2018-11-06)
All entertainment establishments shall be closed before 2:00 a.m. and shall remain closed until 6:00 a.m. on the same day unless authorized by the Director.
(Ord. 27297 § 1, 2004-11-23; Ord. 28024 Ex. A, 2011-10-11; Ord. 28540 Ex. B, 2018-11-06)
No person under the age of 18 years shall take part in or knowingly be permitted to take part in any public dance unless such person be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, except as expressly provided for with respect to teenage dances set forth in this Chapter.
(Ord. 27297 § 1, 2004-11-23)
A. 
No person maintaining, conducting, or carrying on any establishment or having charge or control thereof, nor any person employed in and about such a place, shall allow any person under the influence of illegal substances to enter or remain in any such establishment.
B. 
The licensee, business owner, manager, or other responsible party shall allow entry by public officials for the purposes of ensuring for public safety at any time the establishment is open in accordance with TMC § 6B.10.180.
(Ord. 27297 § 1, 2004-11-23; Ord. 27588 Ex. C, 2007-02-20; Ord. 28024 Ex. A, 2011-10-11; Ord. 28540 Ex. B, 2018-11-06; Ord. 29046 Ex. A, 2025-07-01)
(Use of intoxicants or narcotic substances. Ord. 27297 § 1, 2004-11-23; repealed by Ord. 28540 Ex. B, 2018-11-06)
A committee, which shall be known as the Teenage Dance Committee, is hereby established. The Committee shall consist of four members, one of whom shall be the Chief of Police of the City or designated representative; one of whom shall be the Director of Finance or designated representative; one of whom shall be the Director of Neighborhood and Community Services Department or designated representative; and one of whom shall be appointed by the Office of the City Manager.
(Ord. 27297 § 1, 2004-11-23; Ord. 28540 Ex. B, 2018-11-06)
No permit for a teenage dance shall ever be issued except to a sponsor or sponsoring group. Such permit shall be issued by the Director, but only after Committee approval of the application therefor. A permit is required for each location and each teenage dance; provided, however, the Committee may issue a permit granting to an approved sponsor or sponsoring group, for a period of one year, the right to conduct teenage dances in any of such sponsor’s regular established facilities.
(Ord. 27297 § 1, 2004-11-23)
A. 
The application for a permit shall be accompanied by adequate proof that the place or premises where the dance is to be held has a valid Entertainment/Dancing – No Liquor Served license, or is not required to have such license but conforms with all safety regulations established by law, and must be filed with the Committee at least 30 calendar days prior to the time set for the intended dance.
B. 
The application for permit shall set forth therein the following minimum information:
1. 
The name and address of the applicant’s officers.
2. 
The date upon which the dance is to be held.
3. 
The address of the place where the dance is to be held.
4. 
The approximate attendance expected.
5. 
The minimum number of adult supervisors who will be in attendance at all times during the holding of said dance, and the names and addresses of such adults.
C. 
Upon the filing of each application for a teenage dance, the Committee shall cause to be made such investigation as it deems proper, and shall either deny or approve the same. If the application is approved, the permit for such dance shall then be issued by the Director. A copy of the issued permit shall be filed with the Committee. If the application for such permit is denied by the Committee, the applicant shall have the same right of appeal as provided for in Section 6B.10.140.
(Ord. 27297 § 1, 2004-11-23; Ord. 28540 Ex. B, 2018-11-06; Ord. 28594 Ex. A, 2019-07-02; Ord. 29046 Ex. A, 2025-07-01)
A. 
No minor admitted to a teenage dance shall be permitted to leave and thereafter re-enter the dancing premises during the course of the event, and no pass-out checks shall be issued except in emergencies and when authorized specifically by the person in charge of said dance.
B. 
No illegal substances shall be sold, consumed, or available on the premises in or about which any teenage dance is held.
C. 
Admission to a teenage dance shall be denied to any person under the influence of any illegal substance, or having any such substance in the person’s possession.
D. 
Sufficient adult supervision shall be provided by the sponsor at all teenage dances to insure that accepted standards of social conduct are followed.
E. 
No dancing at any teenage dance shall be permitted after the hour of 12:00 midnight unless the permit issued for that dance specifically authorizes the continuance for a later hour. Authorization to continue dancing after the hour of 12:00 midnight may be approved within the discretion of the Committee.
F. 
No person of the age of 21 years or more and no person under the age of 16 years shall attend any teenage dance as a participant; provided, however, that any person having satisfactory proof of current senior high school attendance shall be eligible to attend such dance as a participant. This does not prohibit the attendance of chaperons and parents or others who do not participate in the dancing, nor does it prohibit persons employed as entertainers or musicians at such dances.
G. 
It shall be unlawful and constitute a violation of this chapter for any person who is not eligible for admittance to a teenage dance to loiter around or about the premises at which such dance is being held.
H. 
The provisions and conditions contained in Sections 6B.80.050 and 6B.80.080, both inclusive, and as they may be amended, shall likewise apply to teenage dances when such provisions are applicable and not in conflict with the provisions herein contained. Teenage dances shall in no way be construed as public dances.
(Ord. 27297 § 1, 2004-11-23; Ord. 27406 § 8, 2005-08-30; Ord. 28540 Ex. B, 2018-11-06; Ord. 28593 Ex. A, 2019-07-02)
(Teen Dance Committee may make rules and regulations. Ord. 27297 § 1, 2004-11-23; repealed by Ord. 28540 Ex. B, 2018-11-06)