Title 10, Local Laws

Term and Compensation. The members of the board shall be appointed for a term of one year and shall receive no compensation, but may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the course of their official duties upon availability of funds as certified by the …

Rules and Regulations. The Mayor of Saipan and the cockpit board shall promulgate, in consultation with cockpit operators, reasonable and necessary rules and regulations for the board to carry out the intent and purposes of this chapter within 60 days of Saipan Local Law 17-5 bec…

Cockpit License. A cockpit license shall be issued for the following cockfighting activities: (1) “Balentia” authorizes the licensee to operate a cockpit to engage in cockfighting only where knives or other sharp instruments are not used. (2) “Amara” authorizes the licensee to op…

License Issuance. The Mayor of Saipan and the cockpit board shall issue a license for the operation of the cockpit only after the awarding of license as provided in 10 CMC § 3608. Source: Saipan LL 9-8, § 3 (§ 3305).

Notice of Bid. A bid notice for the operation of the cockpit shall be posted in at least six public places or published or announced in at least three of the local news media accessible in Saipan for a period not to exceed 20 days prior to the deadline stated in the notice for th…

Bid Proposal. A bid proposal for the operation of a cockpit shall be submitted to the office of the Mayor of Saipan any day within a period of 10 days from the date fixed in the notice for the submission of a bid proposal. Each bid shall be accompanied by a non-refundable deposit…

Bid Award. The Mayor of Saipan shall award the license to the highest qualified bidder. In the event that for any reason the mayor does not approve the highest bidder, or the highest bid, a new notice shall be issued as soon as practicable in the same manner as set forth under th…

Duration of License. A cockpit license shall be issued for a period of five years, commencing on July 1 of the first year, and shall end on June 30 of the fifth year, and shall be payable annually on or before July 1st and subject to license revocation if payment is not made on o…

Number of License. No more than one license for the operation of the cockpit shall be issued. The location of the cockpit shall be subject to the approval of the mayor, except that the licensee may be authorized by the cockpit board to issue a “letter of authorization” to other a…

Citizenship Requirement. No license shall be issued to any person, corporation, company or entity who is not a U.S. citizen and resident of Saipan for at least seven years preceding May 11, 1996. Source: Saipan LL 9-8, § 3 (§ 3311), modified.

Cockpit Operation. The licensee may operate the cockpit on any day the licensee deems necessary. The licensee is also permitted to operate the cockpit 24 hours per day as the licensee sees fit. Source: Saipan LL 9-8, § 3 (§ 3312), modified.

Fees and Other Deductions. The licensee is authorized to charge a submission fee of not more than $10 per person per day. The licensee is also authorized to deduct 10 percent from the total sum of each winning bet. Source: Saipan LL 9-8, § 3 (§ 3313), modified.

Drinks and Food Concession. The licensee is authorized to sell drinks and food items while the cockpit is in operation, including beer and liquor consistent with applicable law. Source: Saipan LL 9-8, § 3 (§ 3314), modified.

Cockpit Employees. The licensee may hire employees for the operation of the cockpit and all other related activities consistent with applicable law. The office of the Mayor of Saipan is free from any personal and financial responsibility arising from the operation of the cockpit.…

Funds Collected. Notwithstanding the provisions 1 CMC § 1403, the Mayor of Saipan, upon the approval of the Saipan legislative delegation by resolution, may expend, obligate, encumber, etc., any and all funds deposited in the special account. The mayor shall submit to the Saipan …

Violations and Penalties. (a) Violations. (1) No person, firm, corporation, partnership, business association or other entity shall operate a cockfight at a time and place where a fee is charged for admission or betting takes place unless licensed pursuant to this chapter. (2) No…

Short Title. This article may be cited as the Zoning Code of Rota. Source: Rota LL 8-2, § 1. Commission Comment: Rota LL 8-2 took effect February 16, 1992. According to Rota LL 8-2, § 2: Section 2. Findings and Purpose. The First Senatorial District Legislative Delegation finds t…

Definitions. As used in this article: (a) “Land” includes areas above and below the ordinary high water mark. (b) “Nonconforming use” means a structure or use that is not permitted by laws and regulations currently in effect. (c) “Owner” includes lessees and homesteaders of real …

Policy. (a) It shall be the policy of the people of Rota, as implemented by the Zoning Board, to: (1) Protect the health, safety, and general welfare of the residents of and visitors to Rota; (2) Promote and encourage basic public services which meet the needs of the people; (3) …

Applicability. (a) This article shall apply to the use of lands in Rota by any person who has use or dispositional rights accorded to them by virtue of ownership, leasehold, homestead, use permit, statutory authority or other instruments. (b) All use of land in Rota must be consi…

Zoning Board: Creation and Responsibilities. (a) Creation. There is established for the Municipal Council of Rota an additional set of responsibilities and duties as the Zoning Board of Rota. (b) General Responsibilities. The Zoning Board shall be responsible for the following: (…

Zoning Administrator: Creation, Responsibilities, and Staffing. There shall be a zoning administrator who serves at the pleasure of the Zoning Board and whose position is funded under the budget authority of the office of the mayor. (a) Creation of Position. There is established …

Land Use Districts. (a) Creation. Land use districts shall be established to preserve, protect and encourage the development of lands in Rota for those uses to which the lands are best suited in accordance with sound planning principles and in the interest of the health and welfa…

Nonconforming Uses or Structures. (a) Continuance of Nonconforming Uses and Structures. Within the areas designated by the Zoning Board in its proposed zoning plan and which become law by enactment of the legislature or by popular initiative, or within the boundaries of such dist…

Changes in Boundaries, Uses and Requirements. Changes in land use district boundaries, uses, and requirements shall be consistent with the purposes of this article, the Coastal Resources Management Act (2 CMC § 1501 et seq.) and the provisions of this section. (a) Initiation. Cha…

Public Participation: Notice of Hearing and Rules of Procedure. (a) The Zoning Board shall hold at least one public hearing for any proposed change of a district boundary, uses, or requirements, with a public notice of at least 30 days. Said notice shall be posted at the office o…

Filing Fees: Authority, Fees and Payment. (a) Authority to Establish Fees. The Zoning Board shall establish fees for procedures required or authorized by this article. Such fees must bear a reasonable relationship to the costs incurred by the government, including costs of invest…

Simplification of Process. To the maximum extent possible, in preparing the zoning plan the Zoning Board shall integrate the functions of zoning, land use planning, and environmental protection in Rota into a consolidated, simplified process whereby landowners and applicants may …

Penalties, Fines and Conflicts of Interest. (a) Administrative Orders. The Zoning Board shall investigate violations and order violators to conform with this article or to cease and desist from any unlawful acts. The Zoning Board may order demolition or removal of nonconforming s…

Accounting of Fines and Fees. (a) Upon recordation of a fine with the Commonwealth Recorder, an unpaid fee or fine is a lien on the nonconforming property. The Zoning Board may enforce payment of the lien by foreclosure in accordance with the law governing foreclosure of mortgage…

Short Title. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Tinian Curfew Hours for Minors Act of 1996. Source: Tinian LL 10-1, § 1. Commission Comment: Tinian LL 10-1 took effect July 22, 1996. According to Tinian LL 10-1, § 2: Section 2. Findings and Purpose. The Legislatu…

Definitions. For the purposes of this chapter: (a) “Loiter” means to idle, loaf, stand idly by, or to walk, play, drive, or ride about aimlessly. (b) “Permitting” or “permit” means to allow to be done either by consent, or by not prohibiting, or by failing to prevent, or by conce…

Hours Designated. It shall be unlawful for any minor to loiter in or about any public streets, highways, roads, alleys, parks, public buildings, places of amusement and entertainment, restaurants, cafes and other eateries, or vacant lots and places within the island of Tinian dur…

Accompaniment by Adult. The provisions of 10 CMC § 2703 shall not apply to any minor who is accompanied by his parent, guardian, or other adult person having lawful custody of such minor. Source: Tinian LL 10-1, § 5, modified.

Attendance at Supervised Activities. The provisions of 10 CMC § 2703 shall not apply to public theaters and places where supervised entertainment or instruction for minors is conducted. However, this exception shall apply only to minors who are in attendance at such theaters or p…

Direct Routing Between Home and Certain Activities. The provisions of 10 CMC § 2703 shall not apply to any minor who is in the direct route of going to or returning from the place mentioned in 10 CMC § 2705 and his home or other place of abode. However, in the event such minor lo…

Employment. The provisions of 10 CMC § 2703 shall not apply to any minor who is lawfully employed during the hours specified, or is in direct route of going to or returning from his place of employment as provided in 10 CMC § 2706. Source: Tinian LL 10-1, § 8, modified.

Assisting or Permitting Violation of Curfew Prohibited. Any person other than a minor who assists, aids, abets, permits, or encourages any minor to violate any of the provisions of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor. Source: Tinian LL 10-1, § 9.

Penalties. (a) Any person not covered by subsections (b) and (c) of this section violating the terms of this chapter may be imprisoned for a period not to exceed 30 days, and up to 250 hours of community service. (b) Any minor violating the provisions of this chapter may be given…

Title. This article may be cited as the Saipan and Northern Islands Dog Control Act. Source: Saipan LL 9-12, § 1. Commission Comment: Saipan LL 9-12 took effect October 19, 1995. According to Saipan LL 9-12, §§ 2-4: Section 2. Findings. The Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative…

Authorization to the Municipalities. (a) The municipalities of Saipan and the Northern Islands are hereby authorized to adopt rules and regulations for the regulation, control, and licensing of dogs on the Northern Islands and the island of Saipan. At a minimum, said rules and re…

Revenues Generated. All fees or funds generated pursuant to this article are local revenues to be collected pursuant to 1 CMC § 1408 for deposit into the General Fund in special accounts for each municipality. Source: Saipan LL 9-12, § 6.

Appropriation. All revenue generated pursuant to this article is hereby appropriated exclusively for the administration and enforcement of this article. The expenditure authority shall lie with the mayors of the municipalities of Saipan and the Northern Islands. All such funds ra…

Prohibitions. (a) Except as provided in subsection (d), a person is hereby prohibited from taking, or in any way, harassing or disturbing, all varieties of non-game wildlife, including but not limited to, fruit bats, Bridled White Eye, Marianas Crow, and other endangered species;…

Enforcement. The Director of the Department of Natural Resources, in consultation with the Chief of the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Resident Director of the Department of Natural Resources, is hereby charged with the enforcement of this article. The Director shall sub…

Prohibitions. All persons are hereby prohibited from taking or in any way harassing or disturbing all varieties of wildlife, including but not limited to coconut crabs, fruitbats, deer, and Marianas crow; all plant life, including any fungi, forest vegetation or grasses, with the…