Chesterfield County’s Code of Ordinances defines a Nightclub as any commercial establishment which serves alcoholic beverages and has live entertainment and dancing by the public. Under the Code, live entertainment shall mean entertainment provided by live artists including, but not limited to, musical performances, disk jockeys, public speaking, dramatic performances, dancers or comedy. A nightclub is a dance establishment within the meaning of chapter 3.
Every person desiring a business license to operate a nightclub, as defined in chapter 6 of the County’s Code of Ordinances, shall first apply to the chief of police, or his designee, for a permit to conduct such activity. Each such application shall be accompanied by a fee in the amount of $25.00.
(a) Information required on the permit application shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) The applicant’s full name, age, sex, race, weight, height, hair and eye color, address, telephone number, date and place of birth and Social Security Number;
(2) Names and addresses of references;
(3) Whether the applicant has been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor and, if so, the nature of the offense, when and where convicted, and the penalty or punishment assessed;
(4) Photograph and fingerprints of applicant;
(5) Name and address of the business for which a permit is sought;
(6) Written authorization to conduct a background investigation of the applicant, including a criminal records check, and to investigate whether the information provided by the applicant is true;
(7) Written declaration, dated and signed by the applicant, certifying that the information contained in the application is true and correct.
(b) For a corporation, partnership or other legal entity, “applicant” includes each officer, director, partner or principal of the entity and any managers of the business;
(c) The applicant shall not be issued a permit if the county’s investigation or the information furnished in compliance with this article shows that the applicant has been convicted of a felony or any other crime materially affecting the applicant’s ability to conduct the permitted activity including a crime involving moral turpitude, or has been denied a permit or has had a permit revoked under any statute or ordinance similar in substance to the provisions of this article. In addition, each application shall be reviewed by the county departments charged with enforcing the business license, zoning, building, plumbing, utility, health, electric and fire prevention codes, as needed, and no permit shall be issued if the applicant’s business in the county does not comply with these and any other applicable county or state laws or regulations.
(d) Any changes in the ownership or principals of the business entity to which the permit is issued or in the managers of the business itself will automatically make the permit void. Such changes shall be reported to the chief of police or his designee, and a new application may be submitted for review.
(e) Nightclubs shall be subject to the regulations regarding public dance establishments, set forth in chapter 3.
(Code 1978, § 12.1-7; Ord. of 10-28-98, § 1; Ord. of 9-26-01, § 1; Ord. of 11-18-09(3), § 1; Ord. of 2-24-10(1), § 1)
