[Ord. No. 25-04, 7/10/2025[1]]
This Part shall be known and may be cited as "Susquehanna Township Amusement Device Regulations."
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Part 3, Amusement Devices, adopted by Ord. 83-1, 1/13/1983; as amended by Ord. 85-21, 12/30/1985; and Ord. 89-16, 11/21/1989.
[Ord. No. 25-04, 7/10/2025]
The following words and phrases when used in this Part shall have the meaning given herein. When not inconsistent with context, words used in the singular include the plural, and words in the plural include the singular, and words used in the present tense include the future. The word "shall" is always mandatory.
AMUSEMENT DEVICE
Any machine which, upon the insertion of a coin, slug, token, plate or disc, or upon payment of a fee, may be operated by the public generally for use as a game, entertainment or amusement. It shall include such devices as electronic games, pin-ball machines, skill ball, Pennsylvania Skill Games, mechanical grab machines and all games, operations, or transactions, similar thereto under whatever name they may be indicated. The term does not include vending machines in which there are not incorporated gaming or amusement features, nor does the term include any coin-operated musical device or rides.
APPLICANT
The person, partnership, association, or corporation operating a Business Establishment at which amusement devices are displayed for public patronage.
BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT
The premises at which a business is located.
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
Any officer of the Township who is authorized by the Board of Commissioners to enforce the Code of the Township.
TOWNSHIP
The Township of Susquehanna, Dauphin County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
TOWNSHIP MANAGER
The Manager of the Township of Susquehanna.
[Ord. No. 25-04, 7/10/2025]
1. 
It shall be unlawful to have, keep, lease or maintain for the purposes of operation any Amusement Devices without having obtained the proper Permit from the Township.
2. 
The Permit shall be posted at all times in a conspicuous location, so as to be easily seen and read by all those entering the Business Establishment where Amusement Devices are located.
[Ord. No. 25-04, 7/10/2025]
1. 
The application for a Permit shall be filed in writing with the Township Manager on a form to be provided by the Township. Upon receipt of a completed application, the Township Manager may distribute the application to Code Enforcement Officers, the Public Safety Director, the Fire Marshal, or any other duly authorized Township Officials to review the application for Compliance with this Part. The application shall provide the following information:
A. 
The name, address and occupation of the Applicant, if an individual, or if a partnership, association, or other entity, the names, addresses, and occupations of each member of the partnership, association, or other entity, or if a corporation, its name, its place of incorporation, its principal place of business, the principal type of business in which it is engaged, and the names and addresses of each of its officers and directors.
B. 
The name and physical address of the Business Establishment where a Permit is sought for.
C. 
The number and type of Amusement Devices sought to be permitted.
D. 
The owner of the machines sought to be permitted.
E. 
Verification that Amusement Devices are to be maintained and installed as per manufacturers specifications.
F. 
If more than four Amusement Devices are proposed within a single Business Establishment, on the initial application, a floor plan in a form and detail satisfactory to the Code Enforcement Officer reviewing the application shall be provided. The floor plan shall depict the following elements:
(1) 
The location of all Amusement Devices.
(2) 
All electrical connections for Amusement Device, power strips and extension cords are not permitted.
(3) 
Location of all cup holders or any other wet surfaces located on or within six feet of an Amusement Device.
(4) 
Aisle width and ingress and egress to the space where the Amusement Devices are located.
(5) 
Any other information as deemed necessary by the Code Enforcement Officer reviewing the application.
[Ord. No. 25-04, 7/10/2025]
1. 
The Township Manager shall issue a Permit if the Applicant has demonstrated compliance with the requirements set forth in this Part.
2. 
Prior to the issuance of a Permit, the Applicant shall pay the Permit fee, the amount of which shall be established by resolution of the Board of Commissioners.
[Ord. No. 25-04, 7/10/2025]
1. 
All Permits issued under this Part shall expire on the first day of January of each year. An application for renewal shall be filed with the Township Manager, at least 10 days prior to the expiration of the Permit. In the renewal application, the Applicant shall alert the Township as to any changes in the information contained in the initial application or floor plan.
2. 
A Permit shall expire prior to the date listed in § 13-306.1 upon the occurrence of any of the following conditions:
A. 
Discontinuance of the Applicant's Business Establishment or sale of the Applicant's Business Establishment.
B. 
Removal of permitted Amusement Devices from the Business Establishment.
[Ord. No. 25-04, 7/10/2025]
A Permit shall not be transferable from one Applicant to another and shall be useable only at the Business Establishment designated on the Permit.
[Ord. No. 25-04, 7/10/2025]
1. 
All Permits issued pursuant to the provisions of this Part are subject to suspension or revocation by the Township Manager upon the occurrence of any of the following conditions:
A. 
Willful misrepresentation made by the Applicant in applying for the Permit.
B. 
Conviction of the Permit holder for any felony or misdemeanor involving force, violence, moral turpitude or involving any violation of this Part.
C. 
The existence of a nuisance to customers, other commercial facilities, or the general public stemming from the operation of Amusement Devices at the Business Establishment. For the purposes of this Part, a nuisance shall include the violation of any Township, County or Commonwealth codes or laws.
2. 
Prior to any action suspending or revoking a Permit, the Township Manager shall give the Permit holder written notice of such action, affording an opportunity to the Permit holder to correct any such deficiencies forming the basis for the suspension or revocation. The satisfaction of corrective measures shall be determined by the Township Manager.
3. 
The restoration of a suspended or revoked permit shall be determined by the Township Manager, after the review of implemented corrective measures.
[Ord. No. 25-04, 7/10/2025]
In determining whether to issue, renew, suspend or revoke a Permit, the Township Manager, a Code Enforcement Officer, or any duly authorized Township Official may make an investigation of the premises and the Applicant during normal business hours to determine the veracity of the statements set forth in the application and to verify compliance with this Part.
[Ord. No. 25-04, 7/10/2025]
Any Applicant or Permit holder aggrieved by the decision of the Township Manager, Code Enforcement Officer, or any other duly authorized Township Official, in denying, suspending, revoking a Permit or any other action as outlined in this Part, shall have the right to appeal such action to the Property Maintenance Board of Appeals. All appeals shall be filed within 20 days of the issuance of a determination and all applications for appeals shall meet the standards and procedures of the Property Maintenance Board of Appeals.
[Ord. No. 25-04, 7/10/2025]
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this Part shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $1,000 and costs. Every day that a violation of this Part continues shall constitute a separate offense.
[Ord. No. 25-04, 7/10/2025]
Any Permit currently held for Amusement Devices shall be required to refile an application in accordance with this Part by the first day of January of the year following adoption of this Part. Any initial application for a Permit shall comply with the requirements of this Part immediately.