Places of Amusement License

A Places of Amusemement License is needed to operate a place open to the public for purposes of entertainment either free or for a fee. This includes but not limited to the following: Open Air Dance, Party, Night Club, Theatre, Festival, Sporting Event, any place where a coin amusement machine is operated or any other activity deemed entertainment

Types of Places of Amusement License

1. Annual Licence - The annual licence is appropriate for businesses that offer entertainment to the public as part of their routine daily operations. This is granted from the 1st of April of on year to the 31st of March of the following year. Applications for an annual licence should be done no later than March 1st of each year. Failure to do so will attract a penalty charge.
2. Special Event - This type of Amusement Licence is granted to persons or businesses hosting special entertainment events through out the year at locations within the municipality. Application deadline should be at least ten (10) working days before the date of the event for events that are expected to have less than 1000 patrons. Amusement Licence application should be received no later than twenty one (21)working days before the date of the event. Failure to comply will result in a penalty charge.

Approval/Refusal/Revocation of Licence

Completed application for annual licences will be processed and forwarded to the Building and Town Planning Committee of the Municipal Corporation for its decision. Applications for annual licences will be processed within 21 days of receipt unless there are issues raised by other agencies such as Health, JCF, NWA and Fire Department that require further investigation or clarification. With regards to Special events licences, approval or refusal will be communicated to applicant within 5 to 10 working days of receipt of the application. Application should also be made to JCF for Noise Abatement Permit which will be needed by Municipal Corporation for approving permit.

The Municipal Corporation may revoke a licence if it is determined that the

• Applicant or Licencee has been convicted of a criminal offence
• Applicant has failed to comply with any of the prescribed conditions of approval
• Applicant fail to declare accurately the structures and advertising displays

Penalty for Non- Compliance

• Closure of Venue/Event
• Demand for payment for undeclared structures and displays with penalty charges
• Prosecution