§ 75-1 — Self-service Laundries; Hours

75-1. Self-service Laundries; Hours.

1. DEFINITIONS. The following definitions shall apply in the interpretations and enforcement of this chapter: a. "Attended" as used in relation to self-service laundries shall mean that either the applicant, or his employees, or other designated responsible persons are present in the establishment during all hours it is open to the public. c. "Self-service laundry" shall mean, unless specifically stated otherwise, to include all establishments or parts thereof used by the general public for the purpose of washing or drying clothing or other fabrics. d. "Unattended" as used in relation to self-service laundries means all those that are not attended. 2. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. a. It shall be unlawful for any person to establish, maintain or operate a self-service laundry at a specific location in the city without a current and valid registration issued by the city clerk. b. The person establishing, maintaining or operating a self-service laundry shall pay a registration certificate fee specified in s. 81-67. An additional weighing and measuring license fee specified in s. 81-135 shall be paid for each timing device used to establish self-laundry charges. 3. EXEMPTION. This section shall not apply to a self-service laundry in a residential building if the facilities of the laundry are intended for use by the residential occupants of that building, except that it shall apply to store units occupied in part for residential purposes. 4. APPLICATION. See s. 85-12 for application requirements. 5. PLAN OF OPERATION. An application for a registration certificate shall be accompanied by a completed plan of operation on a form provided therefor by the city clerk. The plan of operation shall include: a. The planned hours of operation for the premises. b. The number of customers expected on a daily basis at the premises. c. The legal occupancy limit of the premises. d. The number of off-street parking spaces available at the premises. e. Plans the applicant has to provide security for the premises. f. Plans the applicant has to ensure the orderly appearance and operation of the premises with respect to litter and noise. g. Any other licenses held by the applicant or attached to the premises. h. A description of any provisions made for clean-up of the premises. i. A site plan showing: i-1. The locations of all entrances and exits. This shall include a description of how customers will enter and leave the premises. i-2. The locations and dimensions of any off-street parking and loading areas for customers. j. Such other reasonable and pertinent information the common council or the licensing committee may from time to time require. 6. CHANGES TO BE REPORTED. See ss. 85-35 to 85-39 for provisions relating to changes to applications and plans of operation. 7. REGISTRATION FEE. See ch. 81 for the required registration certificate fee. 8. AGE QUALIFICATION. No registration certificate shall be issued to any person or any agent of a corporation or limited liability corporation who is not 18 years of age or older. 9. DISQUALIFICATION. Whenever any application is denied, or a registration certificate is revoked, surrendered or not renewed, the procedures for disqualification for license and change of circumstances provided in ss. 85-13 and 85-15 shall apply. 10. INVESTIGATION. Each application for a new registration certificate shall be referred to the chief of police and the commissioner of neighborhood services for investigation in accordance with s. 85-21-2. 11. OBJECTION. If the local common council member, chief of police or commissioner recommends against an application, no registration certificate shall be issued unless the applicant requests, in writing, an appeal before the licensing committee. An appeal shall be requested no more than 10 working days after the date on which the applicant was notified of the recommendation of the common council member, chief or commissioner. An appeal shall be forwarded by the city clerk to the licensing committee for its recommendation as to whether a certificate should be granted. The procedure for considering an appeal shall be as provided in s. 85-2.7. 12. ISSUANCE. See s. 85-12.5 for provisions relating to the issuance of a registration certificate. 13. POSTING. Each registration certificate shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises. 14. TRANSFER. See s. 85-19 for provisions relating to the transfer of a registration certificate and the change of certificate holder names. 15. RENEWAL. Application for renewal of a registration certificate shall be made to the city clerk in accordance with the provisions of s. 85-26. The city clerk shall refer the application to the chief of police. If the applicant still meets the licensing qualifications, the certificate shall be issued unless a written objection has been filed under s. 85-3. If there is objection to renewal of the certificate, the procedure for considering the renewal application shall be as specified in ss. 85-3 to 85-5. 16. REVOCATION OR SUSPENSION OF CERTIFICATE. Any registration certificate issued under this section may be suspended or revoked for cause by the common council after notice to the certificate holder and a hearing. Notice and hearing on the revocation shall be conducted in accordance with s. 85-3. 17. SAFETY AND SANITARY REGULATIONS. a. Washers and dryers shall be so constructed that they will cease to function when the door is open, with the exception of the fill and agitate cycles in top- load washers. Washers and dryers shall be installed under the provisions of the national electric code except where it is specifically provided otherwise by the city. Provision shall also be made so that in case of a blower motor or gas control failure, the dryer will shut off automatically. b. All dryers shall be so constructed so as to be capable of having their doors open from the interior thereof upon the application of outward pressure against such doors. c. Boilers shall be provided with a low-water cut-off device to protect the boiler from burning out should a low-water condition occur. d. The platform for washers shall be so designed that any water spilling out shall be properly drained. The floor of the establishment shall be sufficiently and properly covered with a nonabsorbent paint or cement or other impervious material. Areas such as basements, offices and storage places shall have locked doors. e. Store layout, design and lighting for the installations constructed after January 1, 1976, shall be so planned as to provide visibility of the interior of the unattended store from the street or sidewalk. Heating, ventilating and lighting shall be provided as required by the building and zoning code. If the store has a rear entrance from a parking area, an outside floodlight shall be so provided to satisfactorily illuminate the area leading to the rear of the store. f. The premises and its facilities shall be kept reasonably clean and sanitary. Refuse disposal cans in unattended stores shall be provided and so designed that the covers shall be self-closing. g. An approved fire extinguisher shall be installed in all unattended establishments when so ordered by the commissioner of neighborhood services. h. Soft drink vending machines in unattended stores shall be of the type which dispenses from the machine directly in or into non-glass containers and be properly licensed under the provisions of the code. Licensed vending machines in the premises on January 1, 1976, and not of the types specified shall be exempt from this provision as long as they are in good working condition and until they are replaced. i. Posting of information regarding the coin-operated machines shall comply with the applicable provisions of s. 82-19. j. It shall be unlawful for any person to misuse the equipment or facilities provided for public use in a self-service laundry. k. Only persons who are using a self-service laundry for its intended purpose, or attendants or repair persons shall be authorized on the premises. It shall be unlawful for any other person to loiter on the premises. L. No self-service laundry shall be permitted to remain open between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless an adult person is upon and in charge of the premises at all times. 18. NUISANCE. Every public self-service laundry which is not maintained and conducted as hereinbefore provided shall be declared a public nuisance and abated in the same manner as every other nuisance. 19. RESPONSIBILITY. The person to whom the registration certificate is issued shall be responsible for the premises and for the acts of attendants or employees on the premises with respect to this section. 20. PENALTY. Any person, persons, firm or corporation who shall violate this section relating to the regulation of self-service laundries shall upon conviction thereof be fined not less than $25, plus the costs of prosecution, and not more than $200, plus the costs of prosecution, and in default of payment thereof, may be imprisoned as provided by law.