"Public dances"
means every dance for which an admission fee is charged and tickets sold, or for the admission to which any other consideration or thing of value is paid or required; provided, however, that a dance sponsored and conducted by the student body of the Washougal High School or Washougal Junior High School, or any class of Washougal High School or Washougal Junior High School, shall not be construed as a public dance under the terms of this chapter.
(Ord. 110 § 2, 1942)
It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, club or association, to hold or conduct or to have any part in the holding or conducting of any public dances within the corporate limits of the city without having previously obtained a permit therefor as hereinafter provided.
(Ord. 110 § 1, 1942)
All applications for permits for dancing under this chapter shall be in writing and filed with the city clerk and shall set forth the date of such dance and where the same is to be held and who is expected to attend, which application shall be acted upon by the city clerk. The police chief is granted authority to require the applicant to employ such off-duty policemen to attend the dance as he determines is necessary to maintain order and preserve the peace and dignity within the city.
(Ord. 110 § 3, 1942; Ord. 377 § 1, 1968)
Nothing in this chapter shall be so construed as to constitute a waiver of the rights of the city council to refuse any permit herein provided for, or to withdraw the same whenever in its discretion such action is necessary in the interests of public welfare or social decency.
(Ord. 110 § 4, 1942)
No public dance shall be conducted within the city between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 8:00 a.m., unless a special permit be obtained therefor from the city council; provided, however, that the city council, by permit, may allow dancing to be held until the hour of 1:00 a.m. Sunday mornings.
(Ord. 110 § 5, 1942; Ord. 690 § 1, 1978)
No persons shall be allowed in, or to remain at, any public dance who is under the influence of intoxicating liquor or who is boisterous or disorderly. No persons shall open any bottle or package containing liquor, or consume liquor, at any public dance, or sell, give away or in any wise display the possession of liquor at any such public dance or any public dance hall without a special event permit.
(Ord. 110 § 6, 1942; Ord. 1990 (Exh. B), 2025)
It is unlawful for any person at any public dance to engage in any dance or personal conduct, in or about such dance rooms, which is of a disorderly, lewd or suggestive character.
(Ord. 110 § 7, 1942)
It is unlawful to smoke, or to hold a lighted cigar, cigarette, or pipe in any dance hall or rooms, other than certain rooms designated as smoking rooms, and in which proper facilities have been provided.
(Ord. 110 § 8, 1942)
No permit shall be granted to any corporation, but if any dance be conducted by a corporation, the permit shall be issued to the manager or directing head thereof, who shall be responsible for the conduct of the dance.
(Ord. 110 § 10, 1942)
The holder of a dance permit as herein provided shall consult the fire chief in all matters pertaining to decorations of dance rooms and hallways, and follow the recommendations and regulations established by the fire department in connection therewith. All rooms and hallways where a public dance is conducted are to be well lighted at all times.
(Ord. 110 § 11, 1942)
All peace officers and authorized city firemen shall have free access to all dances for which a permit has been granted, for the purpose of making reasonable inspection of the premises and for the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 110 § 12, 1942)
The chief of police, uniformed police officers and/or civilian defense coordinator shall have the authority and right to stop or cause to be stopped any dance, and require all persons in the dance hall to leave at any time for failing or refusing to comply with this chapter or when it is reasonably necessary for the protection of the public's safety.
(Ord. 110 § 13, 1942; Ord. 1914 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020)
For all teenage dances, the fee to be charged for each permit granted hereunder shall be $1.00 per night or $15.00 per month. Dance halls or rooms for teenagers shall have an adult chaperon at each entrance/exit, one adult chaperon in the dancing area, and one adult chaperon to keep constant check on restrooms. No permits shall be granted for dancing before 12:00 noon or after 12:00 midnight. All other provisions of this chapter shall apply.
For all adult dances the fee to be charged for each permit granted hereunder shall be $15.00 per dance.
(Ord. 110 § 14, 1942; Ord. 377 § 3, 1968; Ord. 690 § 2, 1978)