Saint Paul Legislative Code § 416.01 License required.
Sec. 416.01. - License required.
No person shall conduct or operate a drive-in motion picture theatre in Saint Paul without a license.
(Code 1956, § 373.01)
Motion Picture Drive-In Theatres
Saint Paul Legislative Code tit. XXIX, ch. 416
in effectSaint Paul Legislative Code § 416.02 Definition.
Sec. 416.02. - Definition.
"Drive-in motion picture theatre" means and includes any premises on which motion pictures are projected upon a screen or theatrical performances are given for viewing by patrons seated in automobiles or other vehicles and for which an admission charge is made.
(Code 1956, § 373.02)
Saint Paul Legislative Code § 416.03 Fee.
Sec. 416.03. - Fee.
The fee required is as set forth in Saint Paul Legislative Code section 310.18.
(Code 1956, § 373.05; C.F. No. 03-131, § 1, 3-5-03)
Saint Paul Legislative Code § 416.04 Licensing requirements.
Sec. 416.04. - Licensing requirements.
(a) Application, procedure: required information. All persons seeking a license to conduct or operate a drive-in motion picture theatre shall make initial application for a license to the inspector, which application shall state:
(1) The name, home address and business address of the applicant.
(2) The proposed business address of the applicant for the operation of a drive-in motion picture theatre hereunder.
(3) The number of automobiles or other vehicles which the drive-in motion picture theatre is designed to accommodate, together with a drawing of said theatre clearly showing its location, plan, structural layout and location of entrances, exits, walls, fences or barriers.
(4) The proposed hours of operation of said drive-in motion picture theatre.
(5) Such additional information as the inspector may require.
(b) Liability insurance required. Every application for a license hereunder shall be accompanied by a certificate of insurance issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in the State of Minnesota, in form acceptable to the city attorney, providing policy limits at least equivalent to those set forth for municipal liability in Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 466, and listing the city as a named insured. The policy shall be kept in force during the license period, and said certificate shall provide for thirty (30) days' notice to the city upon cancellation.
(c) Fence, wall and landscaping. The licensee of any drive-in motion picture theatre hereunder shall provide a wall or fence of adequate height to screen the patrons and automobiles in attendance at said theatre from the view of surrounding property when such surrounding property directly abuts the property line of said theatre and has a single or multiple residential zoning classification. Such fence or wall shall be of a design and structure approved by the building official. The perimeter of said fence or wall shall be landscaped with suitable plants and shrubbery to preserve, as far as possible, harmony with the appearance of the surrounding residential property.
(d) Noise. Individual speakers for each automobile shall be provided, and no central loudspeaker shall be permitted by the licensee where the premises of the drive-in motion picture theatre abut upon property having a residential zoning classification.
(Code 1956, §§ 373.03, 373.06, 373.11, 373.12)
Saint Paul Legislative Code § 416.05 Investigation and inspection.
Sec. 416.05. - Investigation and inspection.
Upon receipt of an initial application as herein provided, the department of safety and inspections and the city traffic engineer, the director of the department of safety and inspections shall cause an immediate investigation to be made of the applicant and his proposed drive-in motion picture theatre operation and shall report their findings to the council within ten (10) days after the date of the application for a license. If the applicant has complied with all requirements of this chapter and all other applicable laws and ordinances, and the application meets reasonable standards of traffic flow, the council may issue a license. Licenses shall be renewable upon application to the department of safety and inspections showing the name, home address, and business address of the applicant, location of the drive-in, and its capacity.
(Code 1956, § 373.15; C.F. No. 07-149, § 182, 3-28-07)
Saint Paul Legislative Code § 416.06 Regulations.
Sec. 416.06. - Regulations.
(a) Hours of operation. No licensee hereunder shall project, show or exhibit any motion picture film prior to the hour of 7:30 p.m.
(b) Conduct of licensee. No licensee hereunder shall knowingly permit the consumption by a patron of any beer or intoxicating liquor upon the premises of the drive-in motion picture theatre, nor permit loitering, disorderly conduct or breach of the peace.
(c) Paving or treatment. All driveways and areas located upon the premises of a drive-in motion picture theatre for use by patrons shall be satisfactorily paved or treated to avoid the creation of dust. Off-street waiting space for vehicles shall be provided as required by the zoning code.
(d) Lighting. All exits, aisles and passageways used by patrons of drive-in motion picture theatres shall be kept adequately lighted by the licensee during the period when said theatres shall be open to the public.
(e) Cleanup of refuse. The licensee of any drive-in motion picture theatre hereunder shall keep the premises of said theatre clean and free from refuse or any other waste material and to that end shall daily collect and dispose of all refuse.
(f) Attendants. At all times when a drive-in motion picture theatre hereunder is open to the public, the licensee shall provide an adequate number of attendants for the maintenance of order and the patrolling of entrances and exits to avoid congestion. The licensee shall also bear the cost of such off-duty police personnel as are necessary to direct traffic into and out of the theatre during peak hours.
(Code 1956, §§ 373.07—373.10, 373.13, 373.14)
Source: City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, City Charter, Legislative Code and Administrative Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/mn/st._paul/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIILECO_TITXXIXLI_CH416MOPIDRTHFetched: 11/1/2026