(a) A person commits an offense if he operates a dance hall without a license.
(b) An application for a license must be made on a form provided by the chief of police. Only a person who is an officer of or who has an ownership interest in a dance hall business may apply for a license for the dance hall. Each applicant must be qualified according to the provisions of this chapter.
(c) A person who wishes to operate a dance hall must sign the application for a license as an applicant. If a person who wishes to operate a dance hall is other than an individual, each individual who is an officer of the business or who has a 20 percent or greater ownership interest in the business must sign the application for a license as an applicant. Each applicant must meet the requirements of Section 14-3(a), and each applicant will be considered a licensee if a license is granted.
(d) It is a defense to prosecution under this chapter that the actor is conducting a dance at:
(1) a private residence from which the general public is excluded;
(2) a place owned by the federal, state, or local government;
(3) a public or private elementary school, secondary school, college, or university;
(4) a place owned by a religious organization;
(5) a location where no more than three dances a month are conducted and the actor is a private club;
(6) a hotel or motel that contains a dance hall that is not promoted or advertised for use by members of the general public who are not occupants of the hotel’s or motel’s guest rooms;
(7) an establishment that:
(A) has a restaurant certificate of occupancy;
(B) has a valid food and beverage certificate issued by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission;
(C) derives 50 percent or more of its gross revenues on a quarterly basis from the sale of food and nonalcoholic beverages; and
(D) does not charge an entrance or admission fee; or
(8) an establishment where:
(A) persons contract for instruction in dance methods, styles, techniques, and disciplines recognized by professional dance organizations;
(B) the dance instruction is only provided by persons trained in dance methods, styles, techniques, and disciplines recognized by professional dance organizations;
(C) no dancing occurs on the premises except by:
(i) a person employed or under contract to provide dance instruction at the establishment; and
(ii) a person contracting for dance instruction at the establishment; and
(D) the primary purpose of the dancing at the establishment is for the education of the persons contracting for dance instruction and not for the entertainment of the general public. (Ord. Nos. 15721; 19241; 21184; 21837; 23137; 24440; 24541)