[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of River Vale 11-18-1982 by Ord. No. 0-14-82R (Ch. 46A of the 1967 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
MECHANICAL AMUSEMENT GAME
Any machine which may be operated by the public for entertainment or amusement, whether the machine is coin-operated or not and whether or not it registers, scores or tallies. Mechanical amusement games include but are not limited to pinball machines, electronic games, bowling machines, mechanical grab machines, Skee-Ball machines, pokerino machines, commercial pool tables and similar devices. This enumeration is intended to be typical and shall not be construed as exclusive.
OPERATOR
Any person in whose place of business any mechanical amusement game is placed or kept for operation by the public.
PERSON
Any person, firm, corporation or partnership.
PLACE OF BUSINESS
Any commercial establishment, store, building or other place where the public may enter, or any building or other place wherein any club or organization meetings are held.
The purpose of this chapter is to license, regulate, control and permit the operation of mechanical amusement games in places of business as a use accessory to the principal permitted use.
No person shall maintain, possess, operate or permit to be operated any mechanical amusement games in any place of business without first obtaining a license therefor.
A. 
All applications for licenses under this chapter shall be made and delivered to the Township Clerk in duplicate on forms to be supplied for the 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 of business is being operated and the location of the same.
(3) 
The number and type of alcoholic beverage licenses, where applicable.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 49, Alcoholic Beverages, Art. I, Licensing.
(4) 
The number and type of mechanical amusement games sought to be licensed.
(5) 
The location where each mechanical amusement game is to be located if different from Subsection B(2) above.
(6) 
Description of each mechanical amusement game sought to be licensed, including, for each device, the name of the manufacturer, model number and serial number.
(7) 
The primary use of the place of business within which the mechanical amusement games are to be operated, used or maintained.
(8) 
The applicant shall submit as a sketch at a scale of one inch equals 10 feet showing the physical location of proposed amusement machine(s) and its (their) relationship to other activities within the place of business.
(9) 
Any other information which the Mayor or his designee may deem necessary and proper for the full protection of the interests of the public.
A. 
The application fee for each application for license pursuant to this chapter shall be $50 in addition to all licensing or transfer fees.
[Amended 8-26-2004 by Ord. No. 0-9-04]
B. 
The fee for a license to operate a mechanical amusement game shall be $200 per machine, per annum.
[Amended 8-26-2004 by Ord. No. 0-9-04]
C. 
Nonprofit, charitable or religious organizations are exempted from paying a fee for obtaining a license or licenses to maintain, operate or possess mechanical amusement games, but such organizations shall remain subject to all other provisions of this chapter.
D. 
This chapter shall not apply to jukeboxes or similar music-playing devices.
A. 
All licenses issued hereunder shall be for a term of one year or part thereof and shall expire on December 31 of each year.
B. 
A license may be transferred from one mechanical amusement game to another by giving to the Township Clerk notice of the proposed transfer, a description of the new mechanical amusement game, including manufacturer, model number and serial number. The fee for all such transfers shall be $50 per mechanical amusement game.
[Amended 8-26-2004 by Ord. No. 0-9-04]
No person shall, in his place of business, permit gambling in connection with the playing of any mechanical amusement game.
The Chief of Police shall make an investigation of the place of business and of the applicant to determine the truth of the facts set forth in the application. The Fire Subcode Official shall inspect the place of business to determine whether it complies with existing fire regulations of the Township. The Chief of Police and the Fire Subcode Official shall, upon completion of their inspections, attach to said application their reports thereon in writing. Upon receipt of said application and inspection reports, if any, the Mayor or his designee shall determine whether or not the applicant has complied with all terms and conditions of this chapter and, if so, shall approve the application and direct the Township Clerk to issue the necessary license upon the receipt of the license fee or fees as herein provided.
A. 
The Mayor or his designee may revoke an operator's license for just cause. An operator whose license is proposed to be revoked shall be given 10 days' written notice of such proposed revocation and an opportunity to be heard by the Mayor or his designee. A written request for a hearing must be filed with the Township Clerk within said ten-day notice period, and the hearing shall be held within 10 days of receipt of said notice.
B. 
Posting and display. An operator's license granted pursuant to this chapter shall:
(1) 
Be posted in a conspicuous place at 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.
C. 
Number of machines. The maximum number of mechanical amusement games for any place of business shall be four.
D. 
Location, No mechanical amusement games may he operated within 500 feet of the property line of any school, house of worship, hospital, nursing home, convalescent home or rehabilitation center.
E. 
Location within building or place of business. Mechanical amusement games shall not be located so as to obstruct aisleways, entranceways or exits. No machine shall be located within 15 feet of any exit doorway.
F. 
Expiration and renewal of license. All licenses issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall expire at 12:00 midnight on December 31 next succeeding the date of the issuance thereof, and all persons desiring to renew such license granted hereunder shall make application before November 1, for a new license for the following year and shall pay the license fees in like manner and amount as for the review and issuance of the original license.
Any person convicted of violating any provision of this chapter or who fails to comply herewith shall, for each and every violation or noncompliance, pay a penalty as provided in Chapter 1, General Provisions, Article I, § 1-14. Each day a violation exists under this chapter shall constitute a separate offense under this chapter. The application of the above penalty shall not be held to prevent any proceeding for suspension or revocation of licenses.