Ordinance 1766ORDINANCE NO. 1766
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON,
RELATING TO GAMBLING, PROVIDING FOR AND LEVYING
A TAX UPON THE INCOME DERIVED FROM THE CONDUCT OF
CERTAIN ACTIVITIES; PROVIDING FOR NECESSARY ADMIN-
ISTRATIVE PROCEDURES FOR THE COLLECTION AND ENFORCE-
MENT OF SUCH A TAX; PROVTDING PENALTIES FOR FAILURE
TO TIMELY FILE SUCH._TAX; _REPEALING CHAPTER 4 .16 OF THE
EDMONDS CITY CODE AND ORDINANCE NO. 833; AMENDING
CHAPTER 4.24 OF THE EDMONDS CITY CODE TO REMOVE
THE REFERENCE TO CARD ROOMS AND CARD TABLES AND
TO INCREASE THE LICENSE FEES FOR POOL AND BILLIARD
TABLES FROM FIVE DOLLARS TO TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS
PER YEAR AND TO INCREASE THE LICENSE FEE FOR
AUTOMATIC AMUSEMENT DEVICES FROM TWELVE DOLLARS TO
TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS PER YEAR; REPEALING CHAPTER
4.28 OF THE EDMONDS CITY CODE AND ORDINANCE NO.
1041 OF SAID CITY.
WHEREAS, the State of Washington by RCW Chapter 9.46 allows
qualified persons licensed by the Washington State Gambling Com-
mission to conduct certain gambling activities within its juris-
diction subject to compliance with State law and the rules of the
Washington State Gambling Commission, unless the particular
gambling agency has been specifically prohibited by action of the
City pursuant to State law, -and
WHEREAS, State law makes it the duty of the law enforcement
officials of the City, among others, to enforce the provisions of
RCW Chapter 9.46 thus imposing an additional financial burden
upon said City; and
WHEREAS, the City is empowered to enact an ordinance to
provide for the taxing of any gambling activities as authorized
by State law that are conducted within its jurisdiction; now,
therefore,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON, DO
ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. A new chapter, 4.15, entitled "Taxation and
Regulation of Gambling," is hereby created.
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Section 2. A new section, 4.15.010, "Definitions" is hereby
added to the Edmonds City Code to read as follows:
"4.15.010 Definitions. For the purposes of this
chapter, the words and terms used shall have the
same meaning as each has under Chapter 218, Laws
of the State of Washington, 1973 First Extraordinary
Session, and RCW Chapter 9.46 and as they may be
from time to time amended and as set forth under
the Rules of the Washington State Gambling Commis-
sion, Chapter 230 WAC as it may be amended from
time to time unless otherwise specifically pro-
vided."
Section 3. A new section, 4.15.020, "Persons Subject to
Tax --Tax Rates" is hereby added to the Edmonds City Code to read
as follows:
"4.15.020 Persons Subject to Tax --Tax Rate. There
is hereby levied upon all persons, associations
and organizations conducting or operating within
this jurisdiction any of the activities listed below
a tax in the following amounts to be paid to the
City of Edmonds, Washington:
(1) Bingo, in the amount of the gross
receipts therefrom, less the amount of money paid
in cash and paid for merchandise, actually awarded
as prizes during the taxable period, multiplied by
the rate of ten percent (10%), provided, however,
there shall be allowed as an exemption from the
levy of said tax, a sum equal to one hundred
dollars per week for each week that Bingo is
conducted.
(2) Raffles, in the amount of the gross
..receipts therefrom, less the amount of money paid
in cash and paid for merchandise, actually awarded
as prizes during the taxable period, multiplied by
the rate of ten percent (10%), provided, however,
there shall be allowed as an exemption from the
levy of said tax, the sum of one hundred dollars
per raffle, not to exceed a?total exemption of one
hundred dollars per week.
(3) Amusement Games, shall not be subject
to the levy of a tax.
(4) Fishing Derbies, in the amount of the
gross receipts therefrom, less the amount of money
paid in cash and paid for merchandise actually
awarded as prizes during the taxable period, multiplied
by the rate of ten percent (10%), provided, however,
there shall be allowed as an exemption from the
levy of said tax, the sum of one hundred dollars
per fishing derby, not to exceed a total exemption
of one hundred dollars per week.
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(5) Punchboards or Pull -Tabs, in the amount
of five percent (5%) of the gross receipts directly
from the operation of the punchboards or pull -tabs
themselves.
(6) Card Playing, in the amount of twenty
percent (20%) of the gross receipts received as fees
charged persons for the privilege of playing in card
games, provided, however, in no event shall any person,
association or organization subject to the tax be
permitted to have more than two tables for the purpose
of card games in any one establishment, nor shall more
than eight players be permitted per table."
Section 4. A new section, 4.15.030, "Tax to be Computed
and Paid Quarterly --Exceptions" is hereby added to the Edmonds
City Code to read as follows:
"4.15.030 Tax to be Computed and Paid Quarterly --
Exceptions.
(1) Each of the various taxes imposed by
this chapter shall be computed on the basis of
activity during each calendar quarter year, shall
be due and payable in quarterly installments and
remittance therefor, together with the return
forms, shall be made to the City on or before the
last day of the next month succeeding the quarterly
period in which the tax accrued. Such payments
shall be due on January 31, April 30, July 31,
and October 31 of each respective year.
(2) Provided, however, whenever any persons,
associations and organizations taxed hereunder quits
business, sells out, or otherwise disposes of its
business, or terminates the business, any tax due
hereunder shall become due and payable immediately
and such taxpayer shall, within ten days thereafter,
make a return and pay the tax due.
(3) Whenever it appears to the City Clerk
that the collection of taxes from any person, associa-
tion or:organization may be in jeopardy, the Clerk,
after not less than ten days notice to the taxpayer,
is authorized to require that the taxpayer remit taxes
due and returns at such shorter intervals than other-
wise provided, as the Clerk shall deem appropriate
under the circumstances.
Section 5. A new section, 4.15.040, "Administration and
Collection of Tax":is hereby added to the Edmonds City Code
to read as follows:
"4.15.040 Administration and Collection of Tax.
(1) Administration and collection of the
various taxes imposed by this chapter shall be the
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responsibility of the City Clerk. Remittance of the
amount due shall be accompanied by a completed return
form prescribed and provided by the Clerk. The tax-
payer shall be required to swear and affirm that the
information given in the return is true, -accurate
and complete.
(2) The Clerk is authorized, but not
required, to mail to taxpayers, forms for returns.
Failure of the taxpayer to receive such a form shall
not excuse the taxpayer from making the return and
timely paying all taxes due. The Clerk shall have
forms available to the public in reasonable numbers
at the Civic Center during regular business hours.
(3) In addition to the return form, a
copy of the taxpayer's quarterly report to the
Washington State Gambling Commission required by
WAC 230.08 for the period in which the tax accrued,
shall accompany remittance of the tax amount due."
Section 6. A new section , 4.15.050, "Method of Payment"
is hereby added to the Edmonds City Code to read as follows:
114.15.050 Method of Payment. Taxes payable hereunder
shall be remitted to the City Clerk on or before the
time required by bank draft, certified check, cashiers
check, personal check, money order, or in cash. If
payment is made by draft or check, the tax shall not
be deemed paid until the draft or check is honored in
the usual course of business, nor shall the accep-
tance of any sum by the Clerk be an acqu t.tanc:e or
discharge of the tax unless the amount paid is the
full amount due. The return, and copy of quarterly
report to the Washington State Gambling Commission
shall be filed in the office of the City Clerk after
notation by the Clerk upon the return of the amount
actually received from the taxpayer."
Section 7. A new section, 4.15.060, "Failure to Make
Timely Payment of Tax or Fee" is hereby added to the Edmonds
City Code to reada:s follows:
"4.15.060 Failure to Make Timely Payment of Tax..
or Fee. If full payment of any tax or fee due under
this ordinance is not received by the City Clerk on
or before the due date, there shall be added to the
amount owing, a penalty fee as follows:
(1) One- Thirty Days Late -- one percent
of the tax due;
(2) Thirty One to Sixty Days Late -- two
percent of the tax due, but in no event shall the
penalty amount be less _than,. twenty-five dollars.
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In addition to this penalty, the Clerk may charge
the taxpayer interest of one percent of all taxes
and fees due for each thirty -day period, or portion
thereof, that said amounts are past due.
Failure to make payment in full of all tax amounts
and penalties within sixty days following the day
the tax amount initially became due shall be both
a civil and criminal violation of this chapter.
Section 8. A new section, 4.15.070 "Notice of Intention to
Engage in Activity to be Filed" is hereby added to the Edmonds
City Code to read as follows:
"4.15.070 Notice of Intention to Engage in Activity
to be Filed. In order that the City may identify
those persons who are subject to taxation under this
ordinance, each person, association or organization
shall file with the City Clerk a sworn declaration
of intent to conduct an activity taxable under this
chapter, upon a form to be prescribed by the Clerk,
together with a copy of the license issued therefor
by the Washington State Gambling Commission. The
filing shall be made not less than ten days prior
to conducting or operating the taxable activity. No
fee shall be charged for such filing. Failure to
timely file such declaration of intent shall not
excuse any person, association or organization from
any tax liability.
Section 9. A new section, 4-15.080 "Records Required"
is hereby added to the Edmonds City Code to read as follows:
"4.15.080 Records Required.
(1) Each person, association, or organiza-
tion engaging in an activity taxable under this
chapter shall maintain records respecting that
activity which truly, completely and accurately
disclose all information necessary to determine the
taxpayer's tax liability hereunder during each
base tax period. Such records shall be kept and
maintained for a period of not less than three
years. In addition, all information and items
required by the Washington State Gambling Commission
under WAC 230.08, and the United States Internal
Revenue Service, respecting taxation, shall be kept
and maintained for the periods required by those
agencies.
(2) All books, records and other items
required to be kept and maintained under this section
shall be subject to, and immediately made available
for inspection and audit at any time, with or without
notice, at the place where such records are kept
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upon the demand of the City Clerk or her designee
for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this
chapter.
(3) Where taxpayer does not keep all of
the books, records or items required to be kept or
maintained under this section within the jurisdiction
of the City so that the City Clerk may examine them
conveniently, the taxpayer shall either:
(A) Produce and make available for
inspection in this jurisdiction all of the required
books, records or other items within ten days following
a request by the City Clerk that he do so;
(B) Bear the'.actual,cost of inspection
by the City Clerk or her designee at the location of
which said books, records or items are located, provided
that a taxpayer choosing to bear these costs shall pay
in advance to the City Clerk the estimated costs ther-
of, including but not limited to, round trip fare by
the most rapid means, lodging, meals, and incidental
expenses. The actual amount due or to be refunded
for expenses shall be determined following said examina-
tion of the records.
(4) A taxpayer -who fails, neglects or
refuses to produce such books and records either within
or without this jurisdiction, in addition to being
subject to other civil and criminal penalties provided
by this chapter shall be subject to a jeopardy fee or
tax assessment by the City Clerk which penalty fee or
jeopardy assessment shall be deemed prima facie correct
and shall be the amount of the fee or tax owing by
the taxpayer unless he can prove otherwise. The
taxpayer shall be notified by the City Clerk by post-
ir_g:in the mails of the United States, addressed to
the taxpayer to the last address on file with the City
Clerk, a statement of the amount of tax so determined
by jeopardy assessment, together with any penalty and/
or interest, and the total of such amounts shall there-
upon become immediately due and payable.
Section 10. A new section, 4.15.090 "Overpayment or
Underpayment of Tax".:is hereby added to the Edmonds City Code
to read as follows:
"4.15.090 Overpayment or Underpayment of Tax. If,
upon application by a taxpayer for a refund or for
an audit of his records, or upon any examination of
the returns or records of any taxpayer, it is determined
by the City Clerk that within three years immediately
preceding receipt by the City Clerk of the application
by the taxpayer for a refund or an audit, or in the
absence of such an application, within three years
immediately preceding the commencement by the City
Clerk of such examination:
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(A) A tax or other fee has been paid in
excess of that properly due, the total excess paid
over all amounts due to the City within such period
of three years shall be credited to the taxpayer's
account or shall be credited to the taxpayer at the
taxpayer's option. No refund or credit shall be
allowed for any excess paid more than three years
before the date of such application or examination.
(B) A tax or other fee has been paid
which is less than that properly due, or no tax or
other fee has been paid, the City Clerk shall mail
a statement to the taxpayer, showing the balance
due, including the tax amount or penalty assessments
and fees, and it shall be a separate, additional
violation of this chapter, both civil and criminal
if the taxpayer fails to make payment in full within
ten calendar days of such mailing."
Section 11. A new section, 4.15.100 "Failure to Make
Return" is hereby added to the Edmonds City Code to read as
follows:
"4.15.100 Failure to Make Return. If any taxpayer
fails, neglects or refuses to make and file his
return as and when required under this chapter, the
City Clerk is authorized to determine the amount
of tax payable, together with any penalty and/or
interest assessed under the provisions of this
ordinance and by mail to notify such taxpayer of
the amount so determined, which amount shall there-
upon become the tax and penalty and/or interest and
shall become immediately due and payable."
Section 12.
A new section, 4.15.110 "Tax Additional to
Others" is hereby added to the Edmonds City Code to read as
follows:
"4.15.110 Tax Additional to Others. The taxes levied
herein shall be additional to any license fee or tax
imposed or levied under any law or other ordinance of
the City except as otherwise herein expressly provided."
Section 13.
A new section, 4.15.120 "City Clerk to Make
Rules" is hereby added to the Edmonds City Code to read as
follows:
"4.15.120 City Clerk to Make Rules. The City Clerk
shall have the power, and it shall be her duty from
time to time to adopt, publish and enforce rules and
regulations not inconsistent with this chapter or
other applicable laws for the purpose of carrying out
the provisions hereof, and it shall be unlawful to
violate or fail to comply with any such rule or
regulation.
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Section_ 14.
A new section, 4.15.130 "Taxes, Penalties and
Fees Constitute Debt to Municipality" is hereby added to the
Edmonds City Code to read as follows:
"4.15.130 Taxes, Penalties and Fees Constitute Debt to
Municipality. Any tax due and unpaid under this chapter
and all penalties or fees shall constitute a debt to
the City and may be collected by Court proceedings the
same as any other debt or like amount which shall be
in addition to all other existing remedies."
Section 15. A new section, 4.15.140 "Limitation on
Right to Recovery" is hereby added to the Edmonds City Code to
read as follows:
"4.15.140 Limitation on Right to Recovery. The right
of recovery by the City from the taxpayer for any
tax provided hereunder shall be outlawed after the
expiration of three calendar years from the date said
tax became due. The right of recovery against the City
because of overpayment of tax by any taxpayer shall be
outlawed after the expiration of three calendar years
from the date such payment was made."
Section 16.
A new section, 4.15.200 "Violation --
Penalties" is hereby added to the Edmonds City Code to read
as follows:
"4.15.200 Violation -- Penalties. Any person violating
or failing to comply with any of the provisions of
this chapter or any lawful rule or regulation adopted
by the City Clerk pursuant thereto, upon conviction
thereof, shall be subject to being punished by a fine
in a sum not to exceed Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250)
Or by imprisonment in jail for a term not exceeding
ninety (90) days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
Any taxpayer who engages in or carries on any gambling
activities subject to a tax hereunder without having
complied with the provisions of this chapter shall be
guilty of a violation of this chapter for each day
during which the gambling activity is conducted."
Section 17.
A new section, 4.15.300 "Severability" is
hereby added to the Edmonds City Code to read as follows:
"4.15.300 Severability. If any provision or section of
this chapter shall be held void or unconstitutional
for any reason, all other parts, provisions and sections
of this chapter not expressly so held to be void or
unconstitutional shall continue in full force and
effect.
we
Section 18.
Chapter 4.16 of the Edmonds City Code and
Ordinance No. 833, passed on August 16, 1960, are hereby
repealed.
Section 19. Section 4.24.010 of the Edmonds City Code is
hereby amended to read as follows:
"4.24.010 Pool or Billiard Rooms-- Revocation of
License. The license of any person, firm or
corporation to conduct, operate or manage any pool
room or billiard room within the limits of the
City of Edmonds, granted under the provisions of
Section 4.24.010 through 4.24.050, or as the same
may hereafter be amended, shall be immediately
cancelled and revoked when any such person, firm
or corporation shall have been convicted in the
Municipal Court of the City of Edmonds or other
court having jurisdiction for a violation of any
of the provisions of section 4.20.010 through
4.20.050 of the Edmonds City Code or any provisions
of any ordinance of the City of Edmonds relating
to gambling, disorderly conduct or to the manufac-
turing, possession, sale, barter, exchange, giving
away, furnishing or otherwise disposing of or
keeping intoxicating liquor, or when any such person,
firm or corporation shall have been convicted in
any of the Courts of the State of Washington under
the provisions of the Laws of the State of Washington
relating to gambling or to manufacturing, possession,
sale, barter, exchange, giving away, furnishing or
otherwise disposing of or keeping intoxicating
liquor."
Section 20. Section 4.24.020 of the Edmonds City Code is
hereby amended to read as follows:
"4.24.020 Pool or Billiard Room License -- When Not
Granted. No license shall be granted to conduct,
operate or manage any pool room or billiard room in
the City of Edmonds, to any person, firm or corpora-
tion who has been convicted in the Municipal Court
of the City of Edmonds or other court having juris-
diction of the violation of any of the provisions of
Section 4.24.010 through 4.24.050 of the Edmonds
City Code or of any ordinance of said City relating
to disorderly conduct or for the violation of any
ordinance of said city relating to intoxicating
liquors, or that has been convicted in any of the
courts of the State of Washington under the pro-
visions of the laws of said state relating to
gambling or the manufacturing, possession, sale,
barter, exchange, giving away, furnishing or other-
wise disposing of or keeping intoxicating liquor."
Section 21.
Section 4.24.030 of the Edmonds City Code is
hereby amended to read as follows:
"4.24.030 Pool or Billiard Rooms -- Hours of Opera-
tion. It shall be unlawful for the owner, proprietor,
manager or other person in charge of or employed
in any public billiard room or pool room in the City
of Edmonds, to keep such place open for business
or permit any person to play billiards or pool
therein between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 7:00
a.m."
Section 22. Section 4.24.060 of the Edmonds City Code is
hereby amended to read as follows:
"4.24.060 License Fee -- Billiard and Pool Tables.
The license fee for keeping and operating any billiard
or pool table within the City of Edmonds, is hereby
fixed at the sum of twenty five dollars ($25) per
year for each table. All such license fees shall
expire on December 31 of each year, and any such
license taken out after July 1 of each respective
year shall be in the sum of twelve dollars and fifty
cents ($12.50) for the remainder of that year."
Section 23. Section 4.24.070 of the Edmonds City Code is
hereby repealed.
Section 24.
Section 4.24.080 of the Edmonds City Code is
hereby amended to read as follows:
"4.24.080 License Fee -- Automatic Amusement Devices.
The license fee for keeping and operating any auto-
matic amusement game, so called games of skill, juke
boxes or other automatic music machines, in the City
of Edmonds, shall be twenty five dollars ($25.00)
per year for each game or machine. All such licenses
shall expire on December 31 of each respective year and
all such licenses taken out after July 1 of each
respective year shall be twelve dollars and fifty cents
($12.50) for the remainder of the year."
Section 25. Section 4.24.090 of the Edmonds City Code is
hereby amended to read as follows:
"4.24.090 License Required. It shall be unlawful
for any person, firm or corporation to operate any
such pool table, billiard table, automatic game or
so called game of skill, juke box or other automatic
music machine within the City of Edmonds without
having first procured a license from the City Clerk
and having paid the amount of such license fees to
the City."
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Section 26. Chapter 4.28 of the Edmonds City Code and
Ordinance No. 1041, passed February 3, 1964, are hereby repealed.
APPROVED
MAYOR '
ATTEST:
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1 \
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CITY CLERK
Filed with the City Clerk: February 25, 1975
Passed by the City Council: ''larch 25, 1975
Published: April 2, 1975
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