Hawaiian Gardens Municipal Code Ch. 9.67 Escort Bureaus and Escort Services

As used in this chapter:

Escort means:

1. Any person who, for hire or reward, accompanies others to or about social affairs, entertainment or places of amusement;

2. Any person who, for hire or reward, consorts with others about any place of public resort or within any private quarters.

Escort bureau means any business or agency which, for a fee, commission, hire, reward or profit, furnishes or offers to furnish escorts.

(Ord. 358 § 1, 1989)

Prior to engaging in the operation of the business described in Section 9.67.010(A), all such businesses shall have a valid business license issued by the City. Such businesses now lawfully licensed shall be required, as a condition of renewal of said license, to obtain a permit as hereinafter required.

(Ord. 358 § 1, 1989)

The license and permit procedure requirements of this chapter do not apply to the lawful business of any employment office or employment agency licensed under State law which does not conduct an escort bureau.

(Ord. 358 § 1, 1989)

Each application for a permit to conduct an escort bureau shall state the names and addresses of all escorts employed by or intended to be employed by the applicant.

(Ord. 358 § 1, 1989)

A permit to conduct an escort bureau shall not be issued to an escort bureau, shall not be issued to or in the name of any organization, group, corporation, partnership or any other entity other than individual.

(Ord. 358 § 1, 1989)

The business may be carried on under a fictitious name in the manner provided by law if the Sheriff first approves of the use of such name, and if the name is recorded pursuant to the provisions of Section 2466 of the Civil Code.

(Ord. 358 § 1, 1989)

The Sheriff, after investigation, shall report to the City Council as to whether the applicant for a license to conduct an escort bureau is of good moral character and reputation, the business is to be conducted at a suitable place, is calculated or intended to be operated as a subterfuge for the conduct of an unlawful or immoral business and practice.

The results of said investigation shall be enforced on said report and returned to the City Administrator who, upon payment of license and permit fees, shall set the matter for hearing before the City Council and shall notify the applicant of the date of such hearing at least ten days prior to said hearing date.

(Ord. 358 § 1, 1989)

Escort bureau establishments shall be located only in areas with a C-G zoning classification.

(Ord. 358 § 1, 1989)

The fee for a permit to operate an escort bureau shall be $250.00, in addition to any license fee as may be required.

(Ord. 358 § 1, 1989)

No permit issued under this chapter shall be transferable, except by the consent of the Council.

(Ord. 358 § 1, 1989)

Except as provided in this chapter, the City Council, after investigation and hearing of the application and of the business proposed to be conducted, may grant or refuse to grant a permit. The Council shall have the right to refuse any such permit if it shall determine that the granting of the same or the conduct of the business will be contrary to the preservation of the public peace, health, safety, morals or welfare of the City or its inhabitants. If such permit is granted, the Council may impose such terms, conditions and restrictions upon the operation and conduct of such business, not in conflict with any law, as it may deem necessary or expedient to protect the public peace, safety, morals or welfare of the City or its inhabitants. If a permit is denied, the license fee paid shall be refunded; the permit fee shall not be refunded.

(Ord. 358 § 1, 1989)

Every escort shall register with the Sheriff.

A. Qualifications for registration. An escort shall not be registered unless he/she first furnishes the Sheriff satisfactory evidence of the good moral character of such escort. The Sheriff may cancel the registration of any escort for cause. Thereafter an escort bureau shall not employ such escort.

B. Employment or unregistered escorts prohibited. An escort bureau shall not hire or employ any escort who is not registered with the Sheriff.

C. Notification of personnel changes. Every escort bureau shall within 24 hours notify the Sheriff of every change in personnel of escorts.

D. Employment of persons under 21 years of age prohibited. A person conducting an escort bureau shall not employ as an escort any person under 21 years of age.

E. Restrictions concerning customers under age 21. A person conducting an escort bureau shall not furnish any escort to, or accept employment from, any patron, customer or person to be escorted who is under 21 years of age, except at the special instance and request of the parent, guardian or other person in lawful custody of the person upon whose behalf of the escort service is engaged.

(Ord. 358 § 1, 1989)

Every person managing an escort bureau shall keep a record of every transaction showing:

A. The name of each escort employed, furnished or arranged for;

B. The name, address and telephone number of the patron or customer;

C. Such other information as the Sheriff requires;

D. Said records shall be kept available by the licensee, open to the inspection of the Sheriff, any one of his/her deputies, and of any police officer. The licensee shall deliver it to the Sheriff upon his/her written request.

(Ord. 358 § 1, 1989)