🔷 PPL REGISTRATION & DANCE BAR LICENCE – FULL PROCESS

A. WHAT IS REQUIRED (AT A GLANCE)

1️⃣ PPL Licence

For playing recorded music (DJ, background music, dance floor)

Issued by Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL)

2️⃣ Dance Bar / Cabaret / Live Entertainment Licence

Issued by Local Police / Licensing Authority / Municipal Corporation

Rules vary State-wise (e.g., Maharashtra has specific Dance Bar Rules)

🧭 PART A: PPL REGISTRATION (RECORDED MUSIC)

🔹 Who Needs PPL?

✔ Dance bar

✔ Pub / Lounge / Nightclub

✔ Hotel with DJ / recorded music

✔ Event venues with recorded tracks

🔹 STEP-BY-STEP PPL PROCESS

STEP 1: Identify Music Usage

Recorded music (DJ / playlist) → PPL

Live music → IPRS (separate)

STEP 2: Prepare Documents

Company / Firm documents

Premises proof

Music usage details (area, hours)

STEP 3: Apply to PPL

Online / Email application to PPL

Declare venue size, category, operating hours

STEP 4: Fee Assessment & Payment

Fee based on:

City category

Area (sq. ft.)

Type of venue

Music hours

(Fees are tariff-based and vary; payable annually)

STEP 5: Licence Issuance

PPL Licence Certificate issued

Valid generally for 1 year

Display at premises

📄 PPL APPLICATION LETTER (DRAFT)

Writing

To

Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL)

Subject: Application for PPL Licence for Playing Recorded Music

Dear Sir/Madam,

We hereby apply for a PPL Licence for playing recorded music at our premises located at __________________________.

Name of Establishment: __________________

Type of Venue: Dance Bar / Night Club

Area (sq. ft.): __________

Operating Hours: __________

Music Type: Recorded Music (DJ / Playlist)

Kindly process our application and inform applicable licence fees.

Thanking you,

Authorized Signatory

Name & Designation

Date

📌 PPL COMPLIANCE TIPS

✔ Keep licence copy displayed

✔ Renew before expiry

✔ PPL ≠ IPRS (both may be required)

✔ Police checks often verify PPL

🧭 PART B: DANCE BAR / CABARET LICENCE (STATE LICENCE)

Important: This licence is State-specific.

Below is a generic India-wide framework, with notes for Maharashtra where applicable.

🔹 AUTHORITIES INVOLVED

Local Police Commissioner / Licensing Unit

Municipal Corporation

Fire Department

Excise Department (if liquor served)

Labour Department

Health Department

🔹 BASIC ELIGIBILITY

✔ Commercial premises

✔ Zoning approval

✔ Fire NOC

✔ Soundproofing norms

✔ CCTV & security norms

✔ No objection from society (if required)

🔹 STEP-BY-STEP DANCE BAR LICENCE PROCESS

STEP 1: CONSTITUTE ENTITY

Private Limited / LLP / Partnership / Proprietorship

STEP 2: PREMISES COMPLIANCE

Commercial zoning

Minimum area (state-specific)

Separate changing rooms

CCTV coverage

Sound level compliance

STEP 3: OBTAIN MANDATORY NOCs

✔ Fire NOC

✔ Health Trade Licence

✔ Police verification

✔ Liquor Licence (if applicable)

STEP 4: BOARD / PARTNERS RESOLUTION

Writing

RESOLUTION

RESOLVED THAT approval be and is hereby accorded to apply for Dance Bar / Live Entertainment Licence for the Company’s premises situated at __________________.

RESOLVED FURTHER THAT Mr./Ms. __________________ be authorized to sign, submit and represent before Police, Municipal and other authorities.

Certified True Copy

Director / Partner

STEP 5: APPLICATION TO POLICE AUTHORITY

📄 DANCE BAR LICENCE APPLICATION (DRAFT)

Writing

To

The Licensing Authority / Police Commissioner

Subject: Application for Dance Bar Licence

Sir/Madam,

We hereby apply for grant of Dance Bar / Cabaret Licence for our establishment located at __________________________.

Details of the Applicant:

Name of Entity: __________________

Address of Premises: __________________

Nature of Business: Dance Bar

Hours of Operation: __________

We undertake to comply with all rules, conditions and regulations prescribed by the State Government and Police Authorities.

Kindly process our application.

Thanking you,

Authorized Signatory

Date

STEP 6: INSPECTION

Police inspection

Fire & safety inspection

Sound level verification

STEP 7: LICENCE GRANT

Licence issued with strict conditions

Validity: 1 year (generally)

Renewal required annually

📄 UNDERTAKING – COMPLIANCE (MANDATORY)

Writing

UNDERTAKING

We hereby undertake that:

No obscene or illegal performance shall be conducted.

All performers shall be above 18 years.

CCTV cameras shall remain operational.

No criminal or unlawful activity shall be permitted.

All licence conditions shall be strictly complied with.

Authorized Signatory

Date

📂 COMMON DOCUMENT CHECKLIST

Document

Required

Entity Registration

✔

PAN & GST

✔

Rent Agreement / Ownership

✔

Fire NOC

✔

Police Verification

✔

PPL Licence

✔

IPRS Licence (if live music)

✔

CCTV Layout

✔

Board Resolution

✔

Undertakings

✔

⚠️ IMPORTANT LEGAL & PRACTICAL ADVISORY

🔴 Maharashtra (Special Note)

Dance bars are regulated under specific State Rules

Stringent norms on:

Distance from schools/religious places

Performer welfare

Surveillance

Separate Bar Room Licence may be needed

🟡 Other States

Usually covered under:

Public Entertainment Licence

Performance Licence

Police Act provisions

💼 TAX & GST ANGLE

✔ GST applicable on entry / cover charges

✔ TDS on performer payments

✔ Professional tax registration

✔ PF/ESI if employees engaged