Section 279(1) in Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act, 1919
(1)No person shall without or otherwise than in conformity with the terms of a licence granted by the commissioner in this behalf, keep any lodging house, eating-house, tea-shop, coffee-house, cafe, restaurant, refreshment room, or any place, where the public are admitted for repose or for consumption of any food or drink or any place where food is sold or prepared for sale:[Provided that no such licence shall be required for a lodging house as defined in the Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1939, if the keeper thereof been registered under that Act.]Explanation. - 'Lodging house' means a hotel, boarding house, choultry or rest-house other than a choultry or rest-house maintained by the Government or a local authority, unlicensed emigration depot or any place where casual visitors are received and provided with sleeping accommodation with or without food on payment but does not include a students' hostel under public or recognized control.
