CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to the regulation of after-hours nightlife lounges; creating a license for the operation of after-hours nightlife lounges; and adding a new Chapter 6.550 to the Seattle Municipal Code.
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WHEREAS, Donald "Donnie" Chin, the director of the International District Emergency Center was shot and killed at approximately 3 a.m. on July 23, 2015, while trying to protect his community from shootings and fight disturbances connected to after-hours nightlife activity in the International District; and
WHEREAS, Nadia Kassa, Jonathan Bishu, and Trevis Bellard were killed and six more were injured at approximately 4:30 a.m. on August 19, 2023, in a shooting at an after-hours nightlife lounge on Rainier Avenue South; and
WHEREAS, Francisco Escatell was killed at approximately 3 a.m. on August 17, 2024, in a shooting inside of an after-hours nightlife lounge in the SODO neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, over the past decade, there have been dozens of shootings and homicides that have occurred in connection with after-hours nightlife lounges that operate between the hours of 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.; and
WHEREAS, the Seattle Police Department reports that nightlife related shootings, particularly in connection with after-hours nightlife lounges, account for over ten percent of all shootings in the City; and
WHEREAS, some of these after-hours nightlife lounges reportedly serve alcohol without a liquor license from the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board; and
WHEREAS, The City of Seattle regulates businesses under Title 6 of the Seattle Municipal Code "as an exercise of the police power of the City to protect and preserve the public peace, health, safety and welfare"; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. A new Chapter 6.550 is added to the Seattle Municipal Code as follows:
Chapter 6.550 AFTER-HOURS NIGHTLIFE LOUNGE LICENSE
6.550.010 ...
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