It is unlawful for any person to operate an after-hours club in the City without first obtaining a license pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 29046 Ex. A, 2025-07-01)
means an establishment in which patrons, whether customers, guests, or club members, congregate for the purpose of socializing between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. After-hours club does not include businesses whose principal purpose is operating as a restaurant.
means any 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 after-hours club customers and under the control of the licensee.
shall mean a security guard, bouncer, door person, or any person performing similar duties who is present at an after-hours club 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.
means a written document submitted with the after-hours club license that includes, at a minimum, the following information about the establishment:
The number of security personnel and where they will be/are located throughout the establishment.
Procedures for verifying security personnel are properly licensed as required in TMC Chapter 6B.70. Records of current security personnel must be available upon request by a public official.
Procedures for checking identification and searching patrons;
Procedures for handling violent incidents, other emergencies, and calling the Tacoma Police Department;
A description of the training provided or completed by the security and other personnel, including conflict de-escalation training;
Procedures for crowd control and preventing overcrowding;
Procedures for mitigating disturbances and nuisance activities occurring 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;
Hours of operation; and
Current contact information for the person or position responsible for addressing safety, security, or City code-related complaints by patrons or neighborhood residents.
Detailed description of the activity to be provided at the establishment.
(Ord. 29046 Ex. A, 2025-07-01)
The license fee for an After-Hours Club is hereby fixed at $300.
(Ord. 29046 Ex. A, 2025-07-01)
An after-hours club shall:
A.
Employ at least two security personnel during operating hours between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. to maintain order and ensure compliance with laws and license requirements related to the operation of the business. All security personnel must be licensed as outlined in chapter 6B.70;
B.
Operate video surveillance at each point of entry and maintain all recordings for at least 5 calendar days; and
C.
Take steps such as metal detectors, metal-detecting wands, or pat-downs to detect weapons and prevent them from entering the establishment.
(Ord. 29046 Ex. A, 2025-07-01)
A.
The licensee of any establishment shall file with the license application a written safety plan, as defined in this chapter.
B.
Licensees shall file their Written Safety Plans upon initial application with the Director, who shall distribute them to the Tacoma Police Department. No licensee may open to the public without filing a Written Safety Plan in accordance with this section and receiving notification that the After-Hours Club license has been approved by the City.
C.
Licensees shall make an updated copy of their Written Safety Plan available for review by their employees. The safety plan shall be made available upon request by public officials, patrons, or neighborhood residents.
D.
The Written Safety Plan must be reviewed at least once every year by the licensee. If there are any changes from the original Written Safety Plan filed upon initial application, an updated Written Safety Plan must be submitted to the Director with the next annual license renewal.
(Ord. 29046 Ex. A, 2025-07-01)
A.
The Director may deny, suspend, or revoke any after-hours club license if:
1.
Within seven years of the date of application, the applicant has had a felony conviction, bail forfeiture, or other final adverse finding involving crimes reasonably related to the licensee’s ability to safely operate or manage an after-hours club, 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 operate or manage an after-hours club, 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 at or operating or managing an after-hours club or similar establishment which is reasonably related to the licensee’s fitness or ability to operate or manage an after-hours club;
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 after-hours club.
5.
The Director reasonably concludes that the licensee will not comply with the provisions of the chapter or the licensee’s operation of the 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 or managed.
7.
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.
B.
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 TMC § 6B.10.140.
C.
If the City denies, revokes or suspends a license, the licensee or person in control of the business will be denied future application for a license under this chapter.
(Ord. 29046 Ex. A, 2025-07-01)
No after-hours club shall:
A.
Be open between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m.;
B.
Allow the entry of a person under 21 years of age;
C.
Sell, give, or otherwise supply liquor to any person between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.;
D.
Allow the consumption of liquor on the premises between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.; or
(Ord. 29046 Ex. A, 2025-07-01)
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 requirements. Failure to grant access shall result in denial of the license application and/or cause for summary suspension of the license.
(Ord. 29046 Ex. A, 2025-07-01)