City of Long Beach - File #: 17-0504

• File #: 17-0504
• Version: 1
• Name: CD 2,1,5,9 - Low-Volume Live Music Venues
• Type: Agenda Item
• Status: Approved
• File created: 6/16/2017
• In control: City Council
• On agenda: 6/20/2017
• Final action: 6/20/2017
• Title: Recommendation to request City Manager to study and make recommendations that further support smaller, low-volume, and less-intrusive options for music venues and return and present recommendations at a future council meeting in 120 days. Report should consider a tiered approach to regulation of music venues and consider the following: • Encouragement of smaller, low-volume, and less-intrusive options for music venues. • Look at volume (sound level) considerations. • Look at number of people being entertained and/or size of facility. • Consider exemptions to what are currently restrictions based on characteristics such as lack of alcohol, dancing, admission charge, etc. • Consider time periods for the entertainment. • Review current definition of entertainment activity and fees. • Review whether any options should not include fees or licensing. • Review potential monitoring and compliance processes. • Impact on existing entertainment permits. • Impact on sur...
• Sponsors: COUNCILMEMBER JEANNINE PEARCE, SECOND DISTRICT, COUNCILWOMAN LENA GONZALEZ, FIRST DISTRICT, COUNCILWOMAN STACY MUNGO, FIFTH DISTRICT, VICE MAYOR REX RICHARDSON, NINTH DISTRICT
• Related files: 18-0345, 17-0505

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
6/20/2017	1	City Council	approve recommendation	Pass

TITLE
Recommendation to request City Manager to study and make recommendations that further support smaller, low-volume, and less-intrusive options for music venues and return and present recommendations at a future council meeting in 120 days. Report should consider a tiered approach to regulation of music venues and consider the following:

• Encouragement of smaller, low-volume, and less-intrusive
options for music venues.

• Look at volume (sound level) considerations.

• Look at number of people being entertained and/or size of
facility.

• Consider exemptions to what are currently restrictions based on
characteristics such as lack of alcohol, dancing, admission
charge, etc.

• Consider time periods for the entertainment.

• Review current definition of entertainment activity and fees.

• Review whether any options should not include fees or licensing.

• Review potential monitoring and compliance processes.

• Impact on existing entertainment permits.

• Impact on surrounding businesses or residences.

DISCUSSION
There are many smaller venues in Long Beach such as coffee shops, restaurants, and cafes that wish to host low-volume live music on a regular basis without having to obtain a costly Entertainment Permit or apply for an Occasional Event Permit (OEP).

Under the current definition, live musical performances are considered "Entertainment Activity" when "carried on by more than two (2) persons or whenever amplified." (LBMC 5.72.115) This definition groups almost all venues together, which means that a jazz trio at the smallest coffeehouse is subject to the same permitting rules/regulations as a rock club that serves alcohol to 100 people. Given that it costs over $1000 to secure an Entertainment Permit, the code discourages many business owners from adding low-volume live music for their customers.

The purpose is to review the definition of "Entertainment activity" in the code and explore a tiered approach to regulation as well as...