Bell Municipal Code Ch. 5.76 Model Studios

The words and phrases set forth below shall be defined, for the purpose of this chapter, as follows:

"Entertainment"

shall be defined as set forth in Section 5.60.010.

"Figure model"

means a person, male or female, who, whether or not for compensation, poses, nude, partially nude or fully clad, for the purpose of being observed, viewed, sketched, painted, drawn, sculptured or photographed.

"Model studio"

means any use located on a lot wherein one or more figure models are furnished to persons for a fee, tip or other compensation.

"Owner"

means the person who owns and/or operates a model studio.

(Prior code § 3615)

No person shall operate or conduct, or permit the conduct or operation of a model studio on any lot located in the city, except in compliance with the provisions of this code, including, without limitation, this chapter and the city's zoning code.

(Prior code § 3616)

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the use of a figure model which is conducted or authorized by an educational institution, or any private school which meets the requirements of Article 4, Chapter 7 of Division 10 of the California Education Code for the issuance or conferring of an academic diploma and is in fact authorized thereunder to issue and confer such diplomas.

(Prior code § 3617; Ord. 1126 § 17, 1997)

The owner of a model studio shall comply with the following regulations:

A. Manager Required. Each model studio shall employ one or more full-time managers, one of whom shall physically be present at the model studio at all times during which the model studio is open for business.

B. Hours of Operation. A model studio may be operated only between the hours of eight a.m. and ten p.m. of any day.

C. Visibility from Exterior. No portion of the interior of a model studio shall be visible from the outside of the building in which it is located.

D. Recordkeeping Requirements. The owner or operator of a model studio shall maintain a current file containing the true names, and aliases, if any, of each figure model, who is employed in such model studio on a full-time or part-time basis, together with their age, birth date, height, weight, color of hair and eyes, home address, phone numbers, social security numbers, and the date of employment. Such files shall be maintained by the owner of the model studio for a period of two years following termination of employment of any figure model. All such files shall be available for review by any city police officer or code enforcement officer.

E. Entertainment Prohibited. Entertainment shall not be permitted to be conducted as a part of the operation of a model studio.

F. Age Restrictions. No person under 18 years of age shall:

1. Be employed, for any purpose, in a model studio; nor

2. Be, or remain in, enter or visit any model studio unless such employment or visit is approved, in writing, by a parent or guardian of such person, who is over 21 years of age. A copy of such parental consent shall be kept on the business premises, and shall be available for inspection by city police or enforcement officers.

G. Use of Alcohol or Drugs Prohibited. The owner of each model studio shall not permit any person to be in or remain in any part of the building where the model studio is located while in possession of, and/or under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or prohibited controlled substance.

(Prior code § 3618)