DANCEHALLS AND BALLROOMS

Miami City Code ch. 5, art. II

in effect

Miami City Code § 5-31 Definitions.

Sec. 5-31. - Definitions. For the purposes of this article, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section: Dancehall or ballroom: Any room, place or space in which a public dance or public ball shall be held, and any room, hall or academy in which classes in dancing are held and instruction in dancing is given for hire. Public dance or public ball: Any dance or ball conducted in connection with instruction in dancing for hire, and any dance or ball to which admission may be had by the payment of a fee or by the purchase, possession or presentation of a ticket or token, or in connection with which a charge is made for caring for clothing or other property, and any dance or ball to which the public generally may gain admission with or without the payment of a fee. (Code 1967, § 4-32; Code 1980, § 5-67)

Miami City Code § 5-32 Permit required for public dances; permit fee.

Sec. 5-32. - Permit required for public dances; permit fee. (a) No person, society, club or corporation shall hold a public dance or public ball within the city without having first obtained a permit therefor from the chief of police, provided that such permit shall not be required for dances held and conducted by regularly established instructors in dancing in connection with such instruction. (b) The fee for such permit, which shall be paid at the time of the issuing thereof, shall be $5.00 for each public dance or ball. (Code 1967, § 4-33; Code 1980, § 5-68)

Miami City Code § 5-33 License for dances, dancehalls, etc.—Required.

Sec. 5-33. - License for dances, dancehalls, etc.—Required. It shall be unlawful to hold or conduct any public dance or public ball, or to hold or conduct classes in dancing, or to give instructions in dancing for hire, in any hall, ballroom, studio or academy within the city, unless the dancehall, ballroom, studio or academy is duly licensed for such purpose, and the fee provided in chapter 31 has been paid. (Code 1967, § 4-34; Code 1980, § 5-69)

Miami City Code § 5-34 Same—Application; issuance.

Sec. 5-34. - Same—Application; issuance. Application for licenses required by this article shall be made by the proprietor of such dancehall, ballroom, studio or academy to the chief of police, who is hereby authorized to issue the same. (Code 1967, § 4-35; Code 1980, § 5-70)

Miami City Code § 5-35 Same—Revocation or refusal of renewal.

Sec. 5-35. - Same—Revocation or refusal of renewal. The license of any public dancehall, ballroom, studio, or academy may be forfeited, revoked or annual renewal may be refused by the chief of police for disorderly or immoral conduct or ordinance violations on the premises, or upon proof that the dancehall, ballroom, studio or academy was frequented by disorderly or immoral persons, or for the violation of any of the rules, regulations, ordinances and laws governing or in any way applying to public dancehalls, ballrooms, studios, academies or public dances. If at any time the license of a public dancehall, ballroom, studio, or academy shall be forfeited or revoked or annual renewal shall be refused, at least three months shall elapse before another license or permit shall be granted for dancing on the same premises. (Code 1967, § 4-36; Code 1980, § 5-71)

Miami City Code § 5-36 Compliance with other laws, ordinances and regulations.

Sec. 5-36. - Compliance with other laws, ordinances and regulations. No license for a public dancehall, ballroom, studio or academy shall be issued until it shall be ascertained that the place for which it is issued complies with and conforms to all laws, ordinances, health and fire regulations applicable thereto, and is a safe and proper place for the purpose for which it is to be used. (Code 1967, § 4-37; Code 1980, § 5-72)

Miami City Code § 5-37 Cleanliness, sanitation, lighting and windows.

Sec. 5-37. - Cleanliness, sanitation, lighting and windows. All public dancehalls, ballrooms, studios or academies shall be kept at all times in a clean, healthful and sanitary condition, and all stairways and other passages and all rooms connected with public dancehalls, ballrooms, studios or academies shall be kept open and well lighted. All windows shall, at all times, be clean and the glass shall be clear and transparent. The only thing that shall appear on such windows shall be the name and address of the dancehall in letters or figures not higher than eight inches. (Code 1967, § 4-38; Code 1980, § 5-73)

Miami City Code § 5-38 Inspection by police.

Sec. 5-38. - Inspection by police. All public dancehalls, ballrooms, studios and academies shall be subject to inspection by the police department at all reasonable times and whenever they are open for dancing, instruction in dancing or for any other purpose. (Code 1967, § 4-39; Code 1980, § 5-74)

Miami City Code § 5-39 Authority of police to order premises vacated for violations of law, etc.

Sec. 5-39. - Authority of police to order premises vacated for violations of law, etc. Any police officer of the city shall have the power to cause the place, hall or room where any public dance or ball is given to be vacated whenever any provision of any law or ordinance with regard to public dances and public balls is being violated, whenever any indecent act shall be committed or when any disorder of a gross, violent or vulgar character shall take place therein. (Code 1967, § 4-40; Code 1980, § 5-75)

Miami City Code § 5-40 Closing hours.

Sec. 5-40. - Closing hours. All public dances shall be discontinued and all dancehalls shall be closed between 12:01 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. on weekdays and between 1:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on Sundays and holidays, provided that upon application of a bona fide organization or society and upon investigation, the chief of police may grant such organization or society a permit to continue a dance until 2:00 a.m. (Code 1967, § 4-41; Code 1980, § 5-76)

Miami City Code § 5-41 Solicitation agreements with taxicab owners, drivers prohibited.

Sec. 5-41. - Solicitation agreements with taxicab owners, drivers prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any taxicab owner or driver to have or make any contract or agreement with any dancehall owner, or with the agent or employee of such owner, by which such taxicab owner or driver agrees to solicit the patronage of any passenger for such dancehall. (Code 1967, § 4-42; Code 1980, § 5-77)

Miami City Code § 5-42 Employees not to be served drinks purchased by customers.

Sec. 5-42. - Employees not to be served drinks purchased by customers. It shall be unlawful for any hostess, waitress, entertainer or employee in a dancehall or ballroom to be served any beverage, whether an alcoholic beverage or otherwise, for which a customer or patron in such establishment pays. (Code 1967, § 4-43; Code 1980, § 5-78)

Miami City Code § 5-43 Solicitation of dancing partners or purchase of refreshments prohibited.

Sec. 5-43. - Solicitation of dancing partners or purchase of refreshments prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person in or about any dancehall or ballroom to solicit dancing partners on a commission basis, directly or indirectly, or to solicit the purchase of refreshments on a commission basis, directly or indirectly. It shall be unlawful for the owner, manager or other person connected with the operation of any dancehall or ballroom to permit or allow any such solicitation therein. (Code 1967, § 4-44; Code 1980, § 5-79)

Miami City Code § 5-44 Sale of time by employees to customers prohibited; exception.

Sec. 5-44. - Sale of time by employees to customers prohibited; exception. It shall be unlawful for an employee in a dancehall or ballroom to sell time to a customer, other than for the purpose of giving dance instruction to such customer. It shall be unlawful for the owner, manager or other person connected with the operation of any dancehall or ballroom to permit or allow any sale of time by an employee to a customer other than for the purpose of giving dance instruction to such customer. (Code 1967, § 4-45; Code 1980, § 5-80)

Miami City Code § 5-45 Employees mingling with customers.

Sec. 5-45. - Employees mingling with customers. It shall be unlawful for employees or entertainers in dancehalls or ballrooms to mingle or fraternize with the customers or patrons of such establishments, except when actually providing dance instruction to such customers or patrons. (Code 1967, § 4-46; Code 1980, § 5-81)

Miami City Code § 5-46 Minors prohibited where alcoholic beverages are available for sale.

Sec. 5-46. - Minors prohibited where alcoholic beverages are available for sale. It shall be unlawful for any owner, manager or person in charge of any dancehall or ballroom which provides hostesses or dance partners and has beverages, alcoholic or otherwise, available for sale, to employ or permit any minor under the age of 18 years to frequent or be in or about such place. (Code 1967, § 4-47; Code 1980, § 5-82)

Source: City of Miami, Florida, City Code, City Charter, Special Acts and Related General Laws (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/fl/miami/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIITHCO_CH5AM_ARTIIDABAFetched: 11/1/2026