4-228. Front entrance lock prohibited; exception

A. Except as provided in this section, an on-sale licensee shall not lock or permit to be locked the front entrance to a licensed establishment until all persons other than the licensee or the licensee's employees on duty have left the premises. This section does not prohibit locking the premises immediately after the closing of the premises if an employee and one other person remain on the premises.

B. If the holder of a club license issued pursuant to section 4-205 has bona fide concerns regarding the safety of club members and their guests, the licensee may apply to the director for permission to lock the front entrance to the licensed establishment. The application shall be on a form prescribed by the director and shall include a description of the safety concerns.

C. The director shall determine in the director's discretion whether to grant permission to lock the front entrance to a club license. The director shall consider, among other factors, the safety concerns documented by the club licensee and the location, method of operation and regulatory history of the club. Fire fighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel and the director shall have immediate access by means of a master key, master card or other similar device to the licensed establishment at all times that the establishment is occupied. At any time the director may revoke permission to lock the front entrance granted pursuant to this section.