[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Franklin 2-22-1983 by Ord. No. O-1-83. Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
AUTOMATIC AMUSEMENT DEVICE
Any machine which, upon the insertion of a coin, slug, token, plate or disc, may be operated by the public generally for use as a game, entertainment or amusement, whether or not registering a score, including but not limited to such devices as marble machines, pinball machines, skill ball, mechanical grab machines and all games, operations or transactions similar thereto under whatever name they may be indicated. It shall include video-type games or machines, or similar devices that use a display screen for points, lines and dots of light that can be manipulated to simulate games or other types of entertainment. It shall not include nor shall this chapter apply to music-playing devices, pool tables, indoor or outdoor batting cages and indoor or outdoor golf facilities.
[Amended 3-25-2003 by Ord. No. O-1-2003]
DISTRIBUTOR
Any person who supplies any automatic amusement device to another for use on his premises, whether under lease or any similar arrangement.
OPERATOR
Any person on whose premises any automatic amusement device is placed or kept for operation.
PERSON
Any person, firm, corporation, partnership or association.
The purpose of this chapter is to license, regulate and control those automatic amusement devices which are operated for the purpose of making a profit. The objective of this chapter is to regulate the business of amusement devices so as to prevent nuisances to patrons and the public, fire hazards from overcrowding, poor ingress and egress at premises where amusement devices are located, the promotion of gambling or loitering or the creation of an unhealthy atmosphere for the youth of the community or other foreseeable undesirable effects of such devices.
A. 
License required. No person shall maintain, operate or possess in any store, building or other place where individuals may enter or in any building or other place wherein any club or organization meetings are held within the Township of Franklin any automatic amusement device without first obtaining a license therefor.
B. 
Exceptions. No portion of this chapter shall apply to an individual operating any type of amusement device or vending machine, which operation is confined to that individual's private dwelling and not for profit.
A. 
Applications for a license under this chapter shall be made and delivered to the Township Clerk on forms to be supplied for that purpose and shall be subscribed and sworn to by the applicant.
B. 
The application for the license shall contain the following:
(1) 
The name and address of the applicant.
(2) 
The name under which the place is being operated and the location of the same.
(3) 
The number and type of alcoholic beverage licenses, where applicable.
(4) 
The number and type of machines sought to be licensed.
(5) 
The location where each automatic amusement game is to be located.
(6) 
The name and address of the person from whom each device is to be purchased, rented or otherwise obtained.
(7) 
A description of each automatic amusement game sought to be licensed, including, for each device, the name of the manufacturer, model number and serial number.
(8) 
Terms of agreement governing the acquisition and installation of said automatic amusement game.
(9) 
Information indicating whether the distributor, the applicant or any person connected with the operation of the place wherein the game or device is to be installed has ever been convicted of any crime or found guilty of the violation of any ordinance pertaining to gambling or gaming.
(10) 
Any other information which the Zoning Officer may deem reasonably necessary and proper for the full protection of the interest of the patrons or the public in the application.
A. 
The number of automatic amusement devices that may be located in any one location shall be governed by the physical space available in any business location for the use of said devices.
B. 
The following rules shall govern the location within all business premises of automatic amusement devices:
(1) 
Each device shall be located at least five feet from the entranceway to the premises in which located and placed so that it does not obstruct or interfere with the free and unfettered passage to and from the premises of patrons or users of the premises.
(2) 
Each device shall have an unobstructed perimeter zone or distance of one foot around the sides of the linear borders of said device wherein the users of said device may use, watch or wait to use said device. The area which is required hereunder for each such machine shall not be encroached upon by the area of any other machine. It is the intent of this chapter that for purposes of preventing overcrowding and assuring safe passage of the general public that each machine shall have its own unobstructed perimeter zone.
C. 
No games subject to this chapter may be operated within 500 feet of a school up to the 12th grade or a house of worship. The distance shall be measured for similar restrictions imposed and as interpreted for alcoholic beverage licensed premises by the Alcoholic Beverage Commission. This section of this chapter shall not be construed to require the removal of any automatic amusement devices which are in place as of the effective date of this chapter.
[Amended 3-25-2003 by Ord. No. O-1-2003]
A. 
The fee for all applications for licenses pursuant to this chapter shall be $30 in addition to all licensing or transfer fees.
B. 
The fee for a license to operate the first automatic amusement device shall be included in the application fee established in Subsection A. The fee for each subsequent automatic amusement device shall be $20 for each device.
C. 
Upon receipt of a written request, Township Committee may waive the application and licensing fees established in Subsections A and B for automatic amusement devices operated by not for profit organizations registered under § 501c(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
A. 
All licenses issued under this chapter shall be for a term of one year, commencing on January 1 and expiring on December 31 of the year of issuance.
B. 
A license may be transferred from one machine to another by giving notice to the Township Clerk to that effect and giving a description of the new machine, including manufacturer, model number and serial number. A license may be transferred from one place to another by giving notice to the Township Clerk to that effect and supplying the required information as to the new premises. There shall be a fee for all transfers from one place to another in the amount of $25 per place or transfer.
C. 
A license shall be renewed by submission to the Township Clerk no later than October 1 of an application therefor, pursuant to §§ 147-4 and 147-6 of this chapter.
[Amended 3-25-2003 by Ord. No. O-1-2003]
D. 
A licensee who fails to submit a renewal application by December 31 shall pay, in addition to the annual license fee, a late charge of $50. The late charge shall not be the exclusive penalty, but shall be in addition to any other penalties provided for in this chapter.
[Added 10-14-2014 by Ord. No. O-30-2014]
An automatic amusement device may only be used or operated during the hours of operation of the premises in which located, and when the operator or an employee of the operator is present on the premises.
The Zoning Officer of the Township of Franklin (hereinafter referred to as "Zoning Officer") or his designee may make an investigation of the premises and the applicant to determine the truth of the facts set forth in the application. The Zoning Officer may inspect the premises to determine whether said premises comply with ordinances and other regulations of the Township of Franklin and State of New Jersey. The Zoning Officer may, upon completion of his inspection, attach to said application his report therein in writing. Upon receipt of said application and inspection report, if any, the Zoning Officer shall proceed to consider the same and shall either approve or disapprove issuance of the license to said applicant. If the application is approved, the Township Zoning Officer authorizes the Township Clerk to issue the necessary license upon the receipt of the license fee or fees as herein provided.
A. 
Revocation of license. Any time after the granting of said license, the Zoning Officer may, in the reasonable exercise of his discretion, revoke the same if, after hearing, he finds:
(1) 
Gambling on the premises.
(2) 
False or incorrect material on the application or information furnished by the applicant.
(3) 
Failure to maintain good and safe conduct on the premises.
(4) 
Violation of the laws of the State of New Jersey, or of this or other ordinances of the Township of Franklin.
(5) 
The presence of the machines results in gambling, obscene and loud language disturbing to the public or to other patrons of the premises, creating of a nuisance, excessive noise, litter, traffic or rowdyism by the patron.
B. 
Posting and displaying. An operator's license granted pursuant to this chapter shall:
(1) 
Be posted in a conspicuous place of the location for which said license was granted.
(2) 
State the name and address of the licensee.
(3) 
State the manufacturer, model number and serial number for each and every mechanical amusement game for which said license was issued.
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine not exceeding $500 or by imprisonment for a term not exceeding 90 days, or both. Each day that a violation occurs or is committed shall constitute a separate offense.