Los Angeles Municipal Code Div. 8 Trades and Occupations

Section 103.203.1 Valet Parking Attendant. 103.203.2 On-Demand Valet Parking. 103.204 Towing Operation. 103.204.1 Tow Unit Operators. 103.205.1 Massage Therapists and Practitioners. 103.205.2 Baths. 103.206.1 Alarm Company Operators. 103.206.2 Commercial Unsecured Buildings.

(a) Definitions. As used in this article:

1. “AUTOMOBILE PARKING LOT” or “LOT” means any lot, contiguous lots, or other parcels of land under single management or control where more than eight motor vehicles are kept stored or parked within or without a building, for a consideration, at any one time.

EXEMPTIONS:

The provisions of this section shall not apply to any automobile parking lot:

(i) Which is operated and entirely controlled by the owner or operator of an apartment house, lodging house, hotel or multiple dwelling, motel, auto court, or other place of residence, or any office

building, when such lot is used exclusively, with no fee or charge, for the accommodation of the vehicles of occupants, tenants or lessees of that place of residence or office building and their guests

and invitees;

(ii) Which is not operated for profit but is maintained and used exclusively for the accommodation of the vehicles of employees or customers of the owner or person in control of the lot; or

(iii) Which is directly operated and maintained by the owner or operator of any retail or wholesale store or any theatre or other business or amusement establishment, and is used exclusively for

the accommodation of vehicles of the customers or patrons thereof, with no fee or charge being made therefor.

(b) Permit Required. (Amended by Ord. No. 180,922, Eff. 12/12/09.)

1. No person shall conduct, manage or operate an automobile parking lot without a written permit from the Board. For purposes of this section, lots or parcels of land separated by a public street or public alley shall not be deemed contiguous lots or parcels.

2. Companies that conduct, manage, or operate multiple automobile parking lots shall obtain a Master Automobile Parking Lot permit. The Master Automobile Parking Lot permit application shall comply with the requirements set forth in Section 103.02.1 and shall separately identify each parking lot to which it applies. A Master Automobile Parking Lot permit shall apply only to those parking lots specifically identified in the permit at the time it is issued.

3. Companies that have obtained a Master Automobile Parking Lot permit shall file any applications for additional automobile parking lots in person only at the main office of the Office of Finance. Such

applications for additional lots shall provide the location of the additional lot and the name of a qualified manager designated to conduct, manage or operate the additional lot.

4. The Board may grant a temporary permit for an additional parking lot on the same day the application for such parking lot is submitted to the Office of Finance provided the following conditions are met:

   (i) A Master Automobile Parking Lot permit is on file at the Office of Finance;

(ii) A complete application for the additional parking lot is on file at the Office of Finance;

(iii) All permit fees and taxes owed to the City have been paid to the Office of Finance;

(iv) Documentation of the proper zoning clearance has been submitted to the Office of Finance; and

(v) A preliminary investigation by the Board does not reveal information which would normally constitute grounds for denial.

(c) Prerequisite to Application.

1. Bond Required. Before an application for a permit to operate a parking lot will be received or acted upon, the applicant must file and maintain with the Office of Finance (Amended by Ord. No. 173,300, Eff. 6/30/00, Oper. 7/1/00.) a bond in the amount of $10,000 for each parking lot, or a blanket bond in the amount of $50,000 covering all parking lots owned or operated by the same applicant. Such bond shall indemnify any person whose vehicle is accepted by the permittee for parking or storage against loss by reason of theft or other unlawful taking, or for damages to such vehicle for which the permittee is legally liable. Said bond shall provide that it will be continuous until cancelled by a 30 day written notice, and that it will cover each and every annual permit issued to the principal named until so cancelled. Notice of cancellation shall be sent by registered mail to the City Attorney 30 days in advance of the cancellation date.

All bonds shall be executed by a corporate surety approved by the Board and admitted to do business in this State. Such bond shall not be void upon the first recovery, but may be sued and recovered upon from time to time by any person aggrieved, until the whole amount is exhausted.

2. Liability Under Bond – Restoration. If the amount of liability under the bond is decreased for any reason, the permit shall be automatically suspended. In order to reinstate the permit, the permittee shall

either file a new bond or restore the bond on file to the original amount.

(d) Disciplinary Action – Additional Ground. The following acts committed by a permittee hereunder shall be a ground for disciplinary action in addition to the grounds listed in Sec. 103.35:

1. The permittee, the permittee’s agents or employees, through carelessness, negligence or failure to make proper provision for the safeguarding of vehicles left in their custody, have knowingly or unknowingly facilitated or contributed toward the theft or conversion of any such vehicle; or of the contents thereof, or the damaging of any such vehicle; or

2. The permittee, the permittee’s agents or employees have failed to cooperate with the police to aid in the detection of any theft or other crime committed on the premises described in the permit or which arose out of the conduct of the business for which the permit was issued; or

3. The permittee, the permittee’s agents or employees delivered a vehicle in their custody to a person who failed to present either the parking ticket issued therefor or a memorandum written and signed in the presence of said permittee or the permittee’s attendant by the person to whom the ticket was delivered. Such memorandum must give a satisfactory reason for the inability to produce the ticket. No penalty for a violation of this subdivision shall be imposed against any permittee or attendant where the vehicle was delivered to the registered owner thereof or to any person lawfully entitled to possession of the vehicle.

(e) Handling of Vehicles.

(1) Neither the permittee, the permittee’s agents or employees shall drive, park, stand, stop or store any vehicle parked or stored in any such parking lot on, upon or across any public street, public sidewalk, public alley or other public place, or drive or move any vehicle parked or stored in any automobile parking lot, except within the property lines of such automobile parking lot. Neither the permittee nor any agent or employee shall take or drive, or permit any person to take or drive, any vehicle left in the custody of the permittee away from such automobile parking lot for any purpose without the express permission of the bailor of such vehicle or the bailor’s authorized representative, except that any such vehicle may be moved for safekeeping to another place in the event of fire, flood or other catastrophe or emergency.

(2) The permittee, the permittee’s agents or employees shall notify the Police Department whenever a vehicle has been left on a parking lot for a period in excess of 48 hours without a prior contractual

arrangement for such period of time in order to determine whether the vehicle is stolen or abandoned. Following such notification, the permittee, the permittee’s agents or employees may remove or cause to be removed such vehicle to a facility within the City that is attended on a 24-hour basis, for the purpose of protecting the property for the account of and at the expense of the bailor of the vehicle.

(f) Guarding of Vehicles.

(1) Attendants – Receipts. There must be at least one attendant on the lot at all times during the hours the lot is open for business. At each closing time, each vehicle, except those locked by the persons bringing them to the lot, which then remains on the lot, shall be securely locked if a key thereto is available and said key deposited with a responsible person at a safe and convenient place, both previously approved by the Board, to be delivered to the person who parked the vehicle upon surrender of the parking receipt or ticket. A ticket or receipt must be delivered to each person leaving a vehicle on the lot at the time of such leaving, and must have printed on it the name of the person maintaining or operating such lot and the address thereof, and also the place where the key to the vehicle may be obtained after the lot has closed; except that a parking receipt or ticket need not be delivered at time of parking to contract or term customers of parking lots; in lieu of such ticket or receipt for contract or term customers, the parking lot shall issue a receipt to the customer at the beginning of each contract or term period for parking.

(2) Return of Vehicles. The permittee, the permittee’s agents, or employees shall deliver each vehicle to the person who left that vehicle in the permittee’s care upon presentation of the parking ticket or receipt therefor.

(3) Lots Without Attendants – Regulations. (Amended by Ord. No. 133,317, Eff. 12/23/66.) The Board may permit the operation of a parking lot without an attendant where the customer is required to drive, park and lock their vehicle if the Board finds that the design of the lot makes such operation feasible without causing traffic congestion or damage to property. In no event shall a permittee be allowed to operate a parking lot without an attendant where the vehicles are so parked that any vehicle has to be moved in order to move any other vehicle.

Each parking lot operated without an attendant which is equipped with an automatic device, whether coin operated or otherwise, which regulates ingress or egress or both ingress and egress, shall have posted on or about all such devices a sign, plainly visible to the public indicating the name, address and telephone number of a person to be contacted in case of emergency or failure of the automatic device to function. The person to be notified shall respond to any request for assistance within a reasonable time.

Each parking lot operated without an attendant shall have a workable device to inform the public when the lot is fully occupied, except that where parking is restricted to use of contract customers on a daily, weekly or monthly rental basis, a sign shall be posted informing the public of the parking restrictions applicable.

If the Board finds that the parking lot is so designed that the public can readily determine if parking spaces are open without driving onto the lot, it may exempt the lot from the requirement of an automatic device

to indicate that the lot is full.

(g) Signs – Closing Time – Parking Fees.

(1) Each permittee shall install and maintain at each entrance of the lot for which the permit has been issued a sign plainly visible from the street with letters and numerals at least six inches high and one-inch stroke in contrasting colors, showing the permittee’s name, the address of the business, the time the lot closes, and the parking fees; except, however, that the name and address of the permittee need not exceed three inches in height with a one-half inch stroke, in contrasting colors. If any letters or numerals on such signs exceed 12 inches in height, then all other numerals and letters relating to parking fees shall be not less than one-half the height of the largest numeral or letter on the sign. All fractions of time shall be spelled out in letters. Parking fees shall be posted at the entrance of the lot as follows:

(i) Rates per hour;

(ii) Rates per fraction of an hour, if any;

(iii) Rates for subsequent hours or fraction thereof;

(iv) The maximum charge;

(v) The time the lot closes.

In the event that afternoon, evening, or night parking fees will be higher than the daytime fees, then such higher fees shall also be posted at the entrance of the parking lot in addition to the daytime parking fees.

Each permittee shall install and maintain in a conspicuous place on the parking lot, which place may be designated by the Board, a sign with letters and numerals at least six inches high and one-inch stroke in contrasting colors showing a complete schedule of parking fees applicable during any business day showing all rates, changes in rates and the hours such changes become effective. If any letters or numerals on such signs exceed 12 inches in height, then all other numerals and letters relating to parking fees shall be not less than one-half the height of the largest letter or numeral on the sign. All fractions of time shall be spelled out in letters.

It shall be unlawful for any permittee or the permittee’s agents or employees to charge or collect any parking fees for the parking of any vehicle at a rate in excess of the rate posted at the entrance of the lot at the

time the vehicle was accepted for storage, nor shall any permittee alter or change any of their posted schedules of fees by superimposing another and different sign thereon, or otherwise, during the course of any business day while the lot is open for business; provided, however, that any posted schedule of fees may be changed prior to the opening of any lot for business at the beginning of any business day, and the fee schedule posted at the entrance of the lot may be changed at the time of change to a night rate and to a second night rate change after 1:00 o’clock a.m.

(2) Each permittee shall file with the Board and post on the parking lot within 30 days after the effective date of this subdivision a complete and accurate schedule of rates to be charged specifying therein the time and the dates for which such rates are applicable. Applicants for parking lot permits shall file such a schedule with their application and post such schedule on the lot before operating the parking lot. No charge other than the rates specified in such schedule shall be made except as hereinafter provided.

In the event a permittee desires to change their schedule of rates the permittee shall give a 10-day written notice to the Board which shall contain the new schedule of rates. A duplicate copy of such notice shall be posted for a period of 10 days in a conspicuous place in the parking lot, which place may be designated by the Board. Upon the expiration of the 10-day period, the rates may be changed in accordance with such notice.

Upon the application to the Board and a showing of hardship by the permittee, the Board may permit a downward revision of the rate schedule within the said 10-day period. (Amended by Ord. No. 113,316, Eff. 5/29/59.)

(3) When an automobile parking lot has been filled to the safe capacity stated upon the permit for that lot, the operator shall not allow the entry of additional vehicles except when vacancies are created below that safe capacity. Each time that the parking lot is filled to its safe capacity, the operator shall place a sign at the entrance thereof with the word “FULL” thereon. The letters of such word shall be at least six inches high with a one-inch stroke, and the sign and letters shall be in contrasting colors. The sign shall be affixed to a stand at least 24 inches high.

(4) Each permittee shall post prominently at the attendant’s booth or other approved location, notification of the “six-minute grace period” provided in Section 444 of the Vehicle Code where applicable.

(h) Signs – Ticket Validation. No permittee, operator, manager or any other person in charge of any parking lot shall install or maintain any billboard or sign at such parking lot indicating that the validation or endorsement of the parking receipt by any other person will be accepted in lieu of all or any portion of the parking fee, or entitle the customer to a refund thereof unless such validations or endorsements are accepted as advertised.

(i) Attendants – Identification. Attendants shall wear cards, buttons, tabs, badges or name plates with their correct, full names inscribed thereon attached to a conspicuous place on their clothing, except that where permittees have assigned non-duplicated, consecutive employee numbers to their attendants, such attendants may wear a button or tab containing such employee number in lieu of a name plate. Attendants shall identify themselves by giving their full, correct name or correct, assigned employee number to any patron of the parking lot who asks for such identification.

(j) Fencing. If the Board finds that protection is necessary to prevent theft of property, or to prevent injury or damage to pedestrians or property, it shall require that those portions of the parking lot not needed for access or egress be surrounded by a wall or fence to be approved by the Board. The height and the materials of such wall or fence shall be specified by the Board but in no event shall a fence higher than five feet be required nor shall such fence exceed in height the height of fences permitted by the provisions of Article 2, Chapter I of this Code.

(k) Investigation.

(1) Upon the filing of such application, the Board shall make such investigation as it deems necessary and if the Board finds that the conduct or operation of an automobile parking lot at the proposed location

would not be detrimental or injurious to the neighborhood in general, and that the applicant is of good character and of good business repute and has not been convicted of theft or embezzlement, or of any offense involving the unlawful use, taking or conversion of a vehicle belonging to another, and is otherwise a fit and proper person to conduct an automobile parking lot, or if the applicant is a corporation, its officers, directors and principal stockholders are of good character and of good business repute and have not been convicted of theft or embezzlement, or of any offense involving the unlawful use, taking or conversion of a vehicle belonging to another, and are otherwise fit and proper persons to conduct such a lot, the permit shall issue, otherwise, the application shall be denied only after the Board shall conduct a hearing on said application.

(2) The Board shall cause to be shown on each permit issued the safe capacity of the parking lot, which safe capacity shall be determined by the Board during its investigation upon the filing of each application.

Such safe capacity shall be determined by the judgment of the Board, with particular attention to ease of removal of any car from such lot within a reasonable period of time, without movement of other vehicles into the public right of way.

(Title and Section amended by Ord. No. 167,322, Eff. 11/9/91.)

(a) Definition. As used in this article “key duplicator” means any person whose trade or occupation is the duplicating of keys for locks or similar devices. State licensed new car dealers and used car dealers or auto repair technicians who hold valid permits are not required to obtain key duplicator permits if they make automobile keys as an incident to their regular business.

(b) Permit Required. No person shall engage in, manage, carry on or conduct the business of a key duplicator without a written permit from the Board. A permit shall not be required of each person performing mechanical key duplication, provided that there is a key duplicator permit for each location at which such mechanical key duplication is performed.

(c) Keys to be Stamped. It shall be unlawful for any key duplicator to fail to stamp the serial number of such duplicator’s permit upon any key duplicated, sold or given away.

(d) Change of Location. A change of location may be endorsed on a permit by the Board upon written application by the permittee accompanied by the change of location fee prescribed in Section 103.12.

(e) Duplication Prohibited. No person shall duplicate any key which is stamped “Do Not Duplicate” or otherwise stamped or marked in a similar manner.

(Repealed by Ord. No. 170,421, Eff. 4/19/95.)

(Amended by Ord. No. 161,622, Eff. 10/5/86.)

(a) Definitions. As used in this section:

1. “Organization” shall mean any actual or purported peace officers’ or firefighters’ organization.

2. “Promoter” shall mean any person who for pecuniary compensation or consideration, other than as an employee, conducts a solicitation or is engaged in the business of conducting solicitations on behalf of or in the name of any organization.

3. “Solicitor” shall mean any person, other than a promoter or a bona fide peace officer or firefighter, who for pecuniary compensation or consideration conducts a solicitation or makes a collection for or on behalf of or in the name of an organization or a promoter for an organization.

4. “Solicitation” shall mean any oral or written request for a contribution or donation to, or the purchase of any membership in, an organization, or the purchase of any ticket to any benefit, show or other

entertainment or event, or any subscription to or any advertising space in any magazine or other publication.

(b) Organizations.

1. No organization shall conduct a solicitation nor authorize any person to conduct a solicitation on its behalf without a valid permit from the Board of Police Commissioners authorizing such solicitation. Each

permit issued under this subsection shall be accompanied by a form issued by the Board which shall bear on its face the name and address of the organization for whom the solicitation is conducted; an identification number; the date of its expiration; the percentage of anticipated collections that the organization will receive; the percentage of anticipated collections that will be retained by or paid to any promoter and/or any solicitor; the percentage of voting members of the organization who are either active or retired peace officers or firefighters; if the solicitation is for advertising, the state-wide circulation of the publication in which the solicited advertisement will appear; the percentage of the total contribution or purchase price which may be deducted as a charitable contribution under both federal and state law; and if no portion of the contribution or purchase price is deductible, a statement that “This contribution or purchase is not tax deductible.”

2. Each organization, at the time of application for a permit to solicit, shall file with the Board a statement of any agreement made with any promoter or solicitor, together with a true copy of each such agreement

which may be in writing. Within 48 hours after any change in any such agreement or the making of any new or further such agreement, a true copy of such change or new or further agreement, if in writing, or written details thereof, if not in writing, shall be filed with the Board.

3. Each organization shall maintain a system of accounting whereby all transactions are entered upon its books or records, either on the cash or accrual basis, according to established and customary accounting

principles.

4. Within 30 days after the termination of its solicitation, each organization shall file with the Board an affidavit or declaration under penalty of perjury setting forth the total amount collected in the solicitation,

the total amount received by the organization and the detailed expenses of the solicitation.

(c) Solicitations. (Amended by Ord. No 164,871, Eff. 6/23/89.) Each person shall, when conducting a solicitation, have the permit and accompanying form, or facsimiles thereof, required under Subsection (b) of this section on their person. When making a personal solicitation or collection each person shall exhibit such permit and accompanying form to the person solicited or from whom collection is being made. Each person soliciting or collecting on behalf of an organization shall state to the person solicited their true name and, if employed by or under contract to a promoter, the promoter’s name and whether or not the promoter is a professional fund raiser. Each person soliciting as an employee of an organization shall inform the person solicited that the person soliciting is an employee of the organization. No person shall attempt to collect a contribution or payment prior to 48 hours after any person has agreed to make such contribution or payment. Each person receiving a contribution or payment pursuant to a solicitation shall deliver a signed receipt to the person making the contribution or payment. If a publication or program is produced for an organization, such publication or program shall be provided to the Board within ten (10) days after publication or the date of the event for which the program was prepared.

(d) Promoters.

1. No promoter shall conduct any solicitation without a valid permit from the Board. A promoter holding a valid permit from the Board shall not conduct any solicitation on behalf of or in the name of any

organization without first notifying the Board. It shall be the responsibility of each promoter to notify the Board in writing of all contracts and working agreements with each organization with which the promoter is associated. Insofar as applicable, each promoter shall comply with, and shall be responsible for each solicitor operating under the promoter’s direction and control complying with, the provisions of Subsection (c) of this section.

2. At the time of filing an application for a promoter’s permit the applicant shall file with the Board satisfactory proof of the existence of a good and sufficient surety bond or bonds, in the aggregate sum of not less than $5,000.00, running to each organization for whom the applicant proposes to solicit. Such bond or bonds shall be issued by a surety company authorized to do business in the State of California and shall provide for the reimbursement for direct loss of money or property sustained through any dishonest or criminal act on the part of the applicant. Such bond or bonds or a substitute or substitutes therefor shall remain in force and effect for the entire period of the promoter’s permit.

(e) Solicitors.

1. No solicitor shall conduct any solicitation or make any collection without a valid permit from the Board. Each solicitor shall be under the direction and control of a promoter holding a valid permit from the

Board or an organization holding a valid permit from the Board. Each solicitor shall comply with the provisions of Subsection (c) of this section.

2. At the time of filing an application for a solicitor’s permit the applicant shall file with the Board satisfactory proof of the existence of a good and sufficient bond or bonds, in the sum of not less than $1,000.00

each, running to each organization for whom the applicant proposes to solicit or collect. Such bond or bonds shall be issued by a surety company authorized to do business in the State of California and shall provide for the reimbursement for direct loss of money or property sustained through any dishonest or criminal act on the part of the applicant. Such bond or bonds or a substitute or substitutes therefor shall remain in force and effect for the entire period of the solicitor’s permit.

(Added by Ord. No. 121,058, Eff. 2/15/62.)

(a) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to provide for the regulation in accordance with the public interest of the operation within the City of studios as defined in this section, wherein bona fide artists and art students may practice and develop their talents in portraying the human form, subject to such controls as will prevent the operation of such studios as places which appeal primarily to the prurient interests of members of the public.

(b) Definitions. As used in this article, the following words shall mean:

1. “Studio.”

   (i) Any premises on which there is conducted the business of furnishing models who pose for the purpose of being sketched, painted, drawn, sculptured, photographed or otherwise similarly depicted in

   the nude by persons who pay a fee, or other consideration or compensation, or a gratuity, for the right or opportunity so to depict the model, or for admission to, or for permission to remain upon, or as a condition of remaining upon the premises.

   (ii) Any premises where there is conducted the business of furnishing or providing or procuring for a fee or other consideration or compensation or gratuity, models to be sketched, painted, drawn,

   sculptured, photographed or otherwise similarly depicted in the nude.

2. “Model.” Any person who poses to be sketched, painted, drawn, sculptured, photographed or otherwise similarly depicted.

   3. “Nude” shall include:

      (i) Completely without clothing.

      (ii) With any pubic area exposed, or with the pubic area covered in such a manner that the private parts are visible or the form thereof discernible.

      (iii) With the breasts exposed by a female so that the nipples thereof are exposed.

(c) Permit Required. (Amended by Ord. No. 134,704, Eff. 8/6/67.)

1. No person shall operate a studio without first obtaining a permit from the Board. No permit shall be issued except upon a finding by the Board that the studio is proposed to be operated for the purpose of

providing facilities for use by persons pursuing a course of study including the artists portrayal of the nude human form, and by persons who engage in artistic portrayal of the nude human form, and by persons who engage in artistic portrayal as a means of livelihood.

2. An applicant for a studio permit shall file a verified application therefor with the Board on such forms and containing such information as the Board may require.

3. No studio permit shall be issued to any person under 18 years of age, nor to a corporation, any of whose officers are under 18 years of age. (Amended by Ord. No. 144,116, Eff. 12/31/72.)

EXCEPTIONS:

(i) No permit shall be required for any studio operated by any public junior college, state college, The University of California or any governmental agency.

(ii) An exemption from the requirement that a permit be obtained may be granted for any studio upon a showing satisfactory to the Board that the applicant for such permit has met the requirements established in Division 21 of the Education Code for the issuance or conferring of, and is in fact authorized thereunder to issue and confer a diploma or honorary diploma.

(iii) An exemption from the requirement that a permit be obtained may be granted for any studio upon a showing satisfactory to the Board that the applicant therefor is a tax exempt, non-profit

corporation devoted to the development of art and its appreciation.

(d) Required Revocation or Denial.

1. In addition to the grounds for permissive denial or revocation stated in this article, the Board shall refuse to issue, or shall revoke, a permit required or issued under the provisions of this section upon a finding

that the applicant or permittee is not of good moral character. Anyone convicted of a morals offense shall be deemed not to be of good moral character for the purposes of this section.

2. The Board shall also revoke a permit issued under the provisions of this section upon a finding that a model under 18 years of age was permitted or allowed to pose in the nude on the premises, or that a person

under 18 years of age or persons other than those described in the first paragraph of subsection (c) hereof were admitted to any part of the premises in which a model was posing in the nude. (Amended by Ord. No. 144,116, Eff. 12/31/72.)