13.46.010 Purpose and Findings.
The purpose of this ordinance is to protect the health and safety of persons who attend indoor entertainment events in occupancies that are not normally used for that purpose, as well as nearby residents, from the risks of fire and associated harms, while minimizing intrusion into the right of persons who wish to sponsor or attend such events.
A. Large indoor events at which amplified music for purposes of dancing or entertainment take place are a regular and frequent occurrence in Berkeley.
B. Frequently such gatherings occur in buildings which, because of their occupancy category under the California Building and Fire codes do not provide the level of fire safety that assembly occupancies require, such as posted occupancy limits, ample and well-marked emergency egress for large crowds of people who are not familiar with the building, and operating smoke detectors, fire alarms, and sprinkler systems.
C. In addition, such gatherings are frequently inadequately planned and access is inadequately controlled, leading to overcrowding, impairing emergency access and sometimes to public disturbances.
D. Large and inadequately controlled events in buildings which are not adequately equipped for them present the risk of serious injury and property damage, as well as death, and have resulted in fires which have caused personal injury and property damage, as well as other disturbances. (Ord. 7004-NS § 1, 2007: Ord. 6603-NS § 2, 2000)