ORDINANCE NO. 11-2025
Amendment to Part 10 – Licensing and Regulation, Chapter 5 – Occupational License Tax to add a section governing Event Centers.
WHEREAS, the Town of Amite City issues and renews occupational licenses for businesses within its municipal limits.
WHEREAS, the current ordinances of the Town of Amite City do not properly address businesses operating as Event Centers.
WHEREAS, the Town of Amite City wishes to amend the current ordinances to add a section specifically addressing Event Centers.
THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and the City Council for the Town of Amite City that Part 10 – Licensing and Regulation, Chapter 5 - Occupational License Tax be amended to add Section 10-5010 – Event Centers, as follows:
Part 10 – Licensing and Regulation
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Chapter 5 – Occupational Licenses
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Section 10- 5010 – Event Centers
A. Purpose. This ordinance aims to regulate Event Centers that host events, parties, weddings, concerts, and similar gatherings, ensuring public safety and community standards are upheld.
B. Definition and Exceptions.
1. Event Center is defined as any property or venue that hosts events, parties, weddings, concerts, or similar gatherings and charges admission, rental, membership fees, or any other consideration for use of or entry into said property.
2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Event Center as defined above shall not include:
(a) A private residence or residential facility from which the general public is excluded;
(b) A place owned and operated by the federal, state, parish, or city government;
(c) A public or private elementary school or secondary school;
(d) A place owned and operated by a church or religious organization created, organized, existing, and recognized as such pursuant to all applicable laws; and
(e) Restaurants and bars properly licensed.
C. License Required; Application for License.
1. Event Centers must obtain the necessary licenses and permits from the City to operate legally.
2. An application for licenses and permits must be made to the City on a form provided by the City and must be accompanied by all supporting documentation requested by the City. All applicants must be qualified according to the provisions of this Section.
3. All persons wishing to operate an Event Center shall sign the application for license or permit as the applicant. If the applicant is a legal entity and not an individual, then each person having twenty (20) percent or greater interest in the entity must sign as an applicant. Each applicant must meet the requirements of this section.
D. Issuance of License; Posting of License.
1. Upon receipt of a complete application, review by the City, and approval by the City Council, the City shall issue an Event Center license. A license shall not be issued if one (1) or more of the following is true:
(a) An applicant is under eighteen (18) years of age.
(b) An applicant failed to answer or falsely answered any question or request for information on the application or failed or refused to provide the supporting documentation requested in the application.
(c) An applicant has failed to obtain a certification from the Louisiana State Fire Marshal that the Event Center complies with all applicable fire prevention and protection policies relative to places of assembly, including but not limited to maximum permitted occupancy load.
(d) An applicant has failed to obtain a certification from the City that the Event Center complies will all applicable provisions of the Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Amite City, including, but not limited to, parking.
(e) An applicant has been convicted of any misdemeanor or felony for which:
(i) Less than two (2) years have elapsed since the date of conviction or the date of release from confinement or court supervision imposed for the conviction, whichever is the later date, if the conviction is of a misdemeanor offense; or
(ii) Less than five (5) years have elapsed since the date of conviction or the date of release from confinement or court supervision imposed for the conviction, whichever is the later date, if the conviction is of a felony offense.
(iii) The fact that the conviction is being appealed has no effect on the disqualification of the applicant.
2. The license must state on its face the names of the persons to whom the license is granted, the expiration date, and the address of the Event Center. The license must be posted in a conspicuous place at or near the entrance to the Event Center so that it may be visible at all times.
E. Duration of License; Renewal; Fees. Licenses are valid for one year and shall be renewed by January 1 of each year after the year of issuance. Fees for new licenses granted prior to July 1 of the year of application shall be $50.00. Fees for new licenses granted after July 1 of the year of application shall be $25.00. Renewal fees are based on revenue generated in the previous year. Applications for renewal must be submitted at least sixty (60) days prior to expiration of the license. The pendency of a renewal application submitted less than sixty (60) days prior to expiration shall have no effect on the expiration of the existing license.
F. Operating Hours. Event Centers shall not operate between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on any day of the week. All events must conclude, and attendees must vacate the premises by this time. Nothing in this section shall prohibit any person acting on behalf of the licensee from entering or remaining on the premises between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. for the purpose of cleaning or repairing the premises.
G. Restrictions and Limitations.
1. Alcohol. The sale, service, provision, and consumption of alcohol is prohibited in and on Event Center property. This prohibition shall extend to parking areas, courtyards, and other areas adjacent to Event Centers.
2. Food. Food preparation and cooking, of any kind, is prohibited in and on Event Center property. This prohibition shall extend to parking areas, courtyards, and other areas adjacent to Event Centers. Food prepared off-site may be served and consumed at the Event Center.
3. Occupancy. Event Centers shall not exceed the maximum occupancy as determined by the State Fire Marshal or its designee.
4. Noise. Event Centers must adhere to local noise ordinances and ensure that noise levels do not exceed permissible limits. Noise levels should be monitored and controlled to prevent disturbances to neighboring properties.
5. Enforcement of these prohibitions shall be the responsibility of the Event Center.
H. Security Requirements.
1. Security Officers. Event Centers shall employ during all hours of operation no less than two (2) security officers whose job duties and responsibilities are to maintain order, ensure the safety and protection of attendees, and ensure compliance with this ordinance. In addition to the minimum of two (2) security officers for all events, Event Centers shall employ additional security officers, based on established Fire Marshall Occupancy limits, as follows:
Fire Marshal Occupancy Limit Number of Additional Security Officers
100-199 1
200-299 2
300-399 3
400-499 4
500-599 5
600-699 6
700-799 7
800-899 8
900-999 9
2. In addition to the minimum security personnel required above, Event Centers shall employ off-duty police officers from the Amite Police Department to work detail at events. The number of off-duty detail officers required shall be as follows:
Fire Marshal Occupancy Limit Number of Police Officers
0-199 1
200-399 2
400-599 3
600-799 4
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Insurance. Event Centers must keep and maintain adequate insurance coverage, including liability insurance, to protect against potential risks and damages. Proof of insurance must be provided as part of the licensing and renewal process and kept up-to-date.
J. Non-Transferability of Licenses. Licenses issued to Event Centers under this ordinance are non-transferable. Any attempt to transfer or assign a license to another entity or individual is prohibited.
K. Inspection. Representatives of the City may, at any time, inspect Event Centers to ensure compliance with this Section.
L. Penalties. Any person who violates or allows others to violate this Section shall be punished as provided in Section 1-1008 hereof. Further, in addition to the penalties prescribed in Section 1-1008, violations of this Section may also result in suspension of licenses, revocation of licenses, or other remedies as permitted by law.
On a motion by Kenyetta Richardson, seconded by Rose Sumrall, the foregoing ordinance was hereby declared adopted this first day of July, 2025 by the following vote:
YEAS: Maria Coleman, Shirley Core, Charles “Mose” Guzzardo, Kenyetta Richardson, Rose Sumrall
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
Attest:
_______________________ ________________________
Jewel McCoy, City Clerk Walter Daniels III, Mayor