[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of
Ridley 12-30-1981 by Ord. No. 1529. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Code Enforcement Officer.
Any music vending machine, contrivance or device which, upon insertion
of a coin, slug, token, plate, disc or key into any slot, crevice or other
opening or by the payment of any price, operates or may be operated for the
emission of songs, music or similar amusement.
Any machine, contrivance or device which, upon the insertion of a
coin, slug, token, plate, disc or key into any slot, crevice or other opening
or by the payment of any price, may be operated or used as a game, entertainment
or amusement, whether or not registering a score and whether or not a prize
is offered. It shall include but shall not be limited to such devices as marble
machines, pinball machines, skill ball, mechanical grab machines, mechanical
bowling machines, photoelectric shooting or target machines, electronic video
games, air-hockey tables, football games and all games, operations or transactions
similar thereto under whatever name they may be designated or described. It
shall not include devices or machines which dispense merchandise such as candy,
cigarettes, etc.
Any person, firm, partnership, corporation or association displaying
or maintaining for use and operation, any jukebox, mechanical amusement device
or pool table or otherwise permitting the use or operation of such devices
for a fee or charge.
Every natural person, copartnership, association or corporation,
and whenever used in any clause prescribing or imposing a penalty, the term,
as applied to copartnership or associations, shall mean the partners or members
thereof, and as applied to a corporation, the officers thereof.
Any table with cushions and/or pockets upon which games of pool and/or
billiards in any form are played upon payment of a price, whether or not operated
by the insertion of a coin, slug, token, plate, disc or key into any slot,
crevice or other opening.
It shall be unlawful for any operator to display or keep or maintain
for use and operation or otherwise permit the use and operation of any jukebox,
mechanical amusement device, pool table or other similar machine without first
having registered with and obtained a license from the CEO as prescribed herein.
[Amended 2-20-1985 by Ord. No. 1579]
A.
Every operator desiring to register with and obtain a
license or licenses as required herein shall apply to the CEO. Application
forms may be secured from the Code Enforcement Department and shall set forth
the following information:
(1)
The name and business address of the operator.
(2)
The business name and premises address to be licensed.
(3)
The amount of jukeboxes, amusement devices and pool tables
for which the application is being made.
(4)
A plan of the premises showing the location or locations
where the jukebox, amusement device or pool table is to be displayed or maintained,
as well as the location or locations of the supervision of the establishment.
No device may be located within 10 feet of any doorway.
(5)
Such other information as the CEO may deem necessary
for the proper administration and enforcement of this chapter.
B.
Upon approval of the application, the CEO shall issue
a license for the premises where a jukebox, amusement device or pool table
is to be displayed or maintained.
[Amended 2-20-1985 by Ord. No. 1579]
A.
Registration and license fees shall be paid by the operator
to the CEO at the time the application is filed. Such fees shall be as as
set from time to time by resolution of the Board of Commissioners for each
jukebox; for each mechanical or electronic amusement device; and for each
pool table.[1]
B.
No deductions or refunds of any fee shall be granted
in case of a fee payable for less than a full calendar year or in the case
of any device destroyed, stolen, sold or otherwise disposed of or transferred
after payment of the fee.
A.
A copy of the license must be visibly posted upon the
premises where any jukebox, amusement device or pool table is displayed or
maintained for use and operation.
[Amended 2-20-1985 by Ord. No. 1579]
B.
Any premises upon which any jukebox, mechanical or electronic
amusement device or pool table is displayed or maintained shall be open to
examination and inspection by duly authorized agents of the CEO during all
hours that such premises are open to use by the public.
C.
No mechanical or electronic amusement device or pool
table shall be used for gambling or other illegal purposes.
D.
Any premises or places of business primarily or substantially devoted to the display or maintenance of mechanical or electronic amusement devices or pool tables shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 325, Zoning, relating to amusement centers. For the purposes of this subsection, any premises upon which are displayed or maintained more than three mechanical or electronic amusement devices and/or pool tables shall be considered as being substantially devoted to the display or maintenance of mechanical or electronic amusement devices or pool tables.
E.
Any operator granted a license shall not permit operation
of any device by a person under the age of 18 years of age during the regular
class hours of any day in which public school is in session.
[Amended 2-20-1985 by Ord. No. 1579]
F.
Upon written recommendation of the Ridley Township Police
Department, the Board of Commissioners may suspend or revoke any license issued
pursuant to this chapter following a hearing in accordance with the Local
Agency Law of Pennsylvania.[1]
[Amended 2-20-1985 by Ord. No. 1579]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 2 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 105, 551 et
seq. and 751 et seq.
Licenses issued under this chapter expire on December 31 of each year.
Applications for renewal, accompanied by the required annual fee, shall be
submitted in the month of December and may consist of a signed verification
of the original application contents so long as there have been no changes.
[Amended 2-20-1985 by Ord. No. 1579[1]]
Licenses shall apply only to the operator and premises to which issued,
and any transfer of operator shall require amendment of the original application,
approval by the CEO and payment of a fee as set from time to time by resolution
of the Board of Commissioners. Licenses shall not be transferred from the
premises for which the license was issued.
[Amended 11-16-1988 by Ord. No. 1639]
Any person, firm or corporation violating any provisions in this chapter
shall, upon summary conviction before any District Justice, be subject to
a fine not exceeding $600, and costs of prosecution, and in default of payment
of fine and costs, such person may be imprisoned in the county jail for not
more than 30 days. Each and every day which any person shall be in violation
of this chapter shall constitute a separate offense.
