Chapter 21.45 — CHECK CASHING ESTABLISHMENTS

The city hereby finds that the operation of businesses whose primary function is to provide cash to patrons in exchange for personal and business checks and money orders and to perform similar financial transactions for a service fee, require restrictions on the operations of such businesses to guard against potential threats to public safety. The purpose of this chapter is to establish regulations that provide such safeguards, and to create and maintain business districts that offer patrons suitable and safe environments for conducting financial transactions that they may choose not to pursue at standard financial institutions such as banks, credit unions, savings and loan institutions, or brokerage houses.

(Ord. 612 Exhibit A (part), 2008).

The following regulations shall apply to the siting of check cashing establishments:

• (1) A minimum distance of one thousand feet, as measured from property line to property line, shall be maintained between any two check cashing establishments.

(2) No check cashing establishment shall be located within five hundred feet, as measured from property line to property line, of any school, church, state- or federal-chartered bank, loan institution, savings association, credit union, or brokerage house.

• (Ord. 612 Exhibit A (part), 2008).

The following restrictions and requirements shall apply to the operation of check cashing establishments:

• (1) Prior to the issuance of occupancy permits, a lighting plan shall be approved by the community development director.

• (2) All store fronts shall contain transparent glass windows that allow from views into the establishment from the nearest public right-of-way.

• (3) The hours of operation shall be limited to 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

• (4) At least one "no loitering" sign shall be maintained on the premises in plain view of patrons.

• (5) Graffiti shall be removed within seventy-two hours of application.

• (6) The site must be kept free of litter.

• (7) No exterior pay telephones shall be permitted.

• (8) A least one certified security guard, with licensing approved by the city, shall be on duty during all hours that the business is open for operations.

• (Ord. 612 Exhibit A (part), 2008).