(a) It shall be unlawful for the owner, lessee or manager of any property, or for any other person, to produce, present or conduct thereon, any amusement within a performing arts venue unless the owner, lessee or manager of such property has first obtained a public place of amusement license authorizing such person to engage in the business of performing arts venue. Such public place of amusement license shall be known as a performing arts venue license or "arts venue license". Persons holding such a public place of amusement license shall be subject to Article V of this chapter.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this Article V, a public place of amusement license authorizing a licensee to engage in the business of performing arts venue shall be subject to the same restrictions and requirements that apply to a public place of amusement license issued under Article III of this chapter. In the event of a conflict between any provision in Article III of this chapter and the provisions of this Article V, the provisions of Article V shall apply.
(c) No public place of amusement license under this Article V shall be required if the only amusement to be produced, presented or conducted is: (i) offered in a performance space with a capacity of less than 100 persons; and (ii) no admission fee, minimum purchase requirement, membership fee, or other fee or charge is imposed for the privilege of entering the premises or the portion of premises where the amusement is provided or permitted. Donations that are solicited strictly on a voluntary basis may be accepted by a venue under this subsection only if the venue posts a sign, no less than eight and one-half inches by 11 inches, in a conspicuous place near the entrance of the venue stating, "Under Section 4-156-720 of the Municipal Code of Chicago, this performing arts venue may not charge an admission fee, minimum purchase requirement, membership fee, or other fee or charge imposed for the privilege of entering the premises. Any donations are purely voluntary".
(Added Coun. J. 11-30-05, p. 62481, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 4-19-17, p. 48180, Art. V, § 25)