The Seattle City Attorney’s office is putting concerns over 2 AM “last call” shootings at the center of the debate over proposed legislation that would regulate after hours clubs in Seattle.

Chair Bob Kettle’s council Public Safety Committee will take up the proposed ordinance Tuesday morning. CHS first reported in October on the proposal from then-councilmember Tanya Woo that would create new rules for “any business that allows gathering for socializing, smoking, or dancing” after last call between the hours of 2 AM and 5 AM.

Woo lost her bid to retain her seat on the council but the proposal is now moving forward with support from Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison. Davison’s office points at what it says is a proliferation of late night shootings “connected to select after-hours locations, many with multiple shooting events” as a driver for putting the rules in place.

The new requirements would include restricting venues to 21+ age limits, no service of alcohol between 2 AM and 5 AM, requiring at least two trained security personnel, running
a security checks for weapons upon entry, providing video surveillance of exits, and what Woo says would be “unimpeded police access while operating.” The goal would be to bring regulation to what officials say is a boom of clubs including bars and hookah lounges operating illegally in the city after hours.

“Regulated businesses would include both venues open to the public and private clubs,” staff analysis (PDF) of the proposal reads. “Restaurants, adult entertainment establishments, all-ages dance venues, entertainment venues like theaters and spectator sports facilities, and businesses whose purposes do not extend to socializing and either smoking or dancing would be exempt from the regulations.”

Early discussions indicated the new regulatory license would have a $250 application fee that “can be denied or revoked if the establishment has a single shooting incident, or two or more serious public safety incidents within the past year.” Penalties for operating without a new regulatory license would be $1,000 for the first offense, and $5,000 for a second. “Businesses may contest a citation before a hearing examiner,” the City Attorney’s presentation (PDF) on the bill says. The City Attorney would also be able to “seek legal and equitable relief from establishments that remain out of compliance.”

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