§ 5-196.01. Legislative Intent.

(a)

The purpose and intent of this legislation is to regulate dance hall premises, licensee, owner, lessor, operator, manager, promoter and patron by establishing license requirements and penalties for violators by repealing and reenacting with amendments relevant provisions of the County Code to establish reasonable and uniform laws to promote the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens and residents of the County and to prevent or control detrimental effects upon neighboring properties and existing and proposed land uses in the general area.

(b)

The provisions of this law are in response to violent crimes taking place in or in close proximity to adult dance halls or teen dance halls throughout the County.

(c)

The provisions of the Prince George's County Code have neither the purpose nor effect of imposing a limitation or restriction on legal conduct. Banquet hall and catering establishment business uses that were: (1) validly operating as of June 1, 2017; (2) is located on a site with a total land area of at least eight (8) acres and is split-zoned with a partial zoning classification within the C-M (Commercial Miscellaneous) Zone, or IS LOCATED on property consisting of at least fifty (50) acres in the R-A (Residential Agricultural) Zone where the use was developed as part of a phased, planned development of a religious institution campus; and (3) with a valid, current Class B ("BCE") license issued by the Board of License Commissioners for Prince George's County pursuant to Title 26 of the Alcoholic Beverages Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, shall be exempt from the licensing requirements set forth in this Division.

(CB-18-2011; CB-104-2017)