Chapter 5.86 — BATHHOUSE, ESCORT BUREAU AND INTRODUCTORY SERVICE

Note: Prior ordinance history: Ords. 369, 496, 532, 648, 671 and 721.

Unless the particular provision of the context otherwise requires, the definitions and provisions contained in this section shall govern the construction, meaning and application of words and phrases used in this chapter:

"Bathhouse" means any place where there is given steam baths, electric light baths, electric tub baths, shower baths, sponge baths, sunbaths, mineral baths, vapor baths, Russian, Swedish or Turkish baths or any other type of baths, fomentations, alcohol rubs or any other types of rubs or giving salt glows or any type of therapy; any public bathing place which has in connection therewith a steam room, dry hot room, plunge, shower bath or sleeping accommodations.

"City manager" means the city manager of the city of Palm Desert, or his or her designated representative.

"Director" means the director of community development.

"Employee" means any person over eighteen years of age other than an escort, who renders any service in connection with the operation of escort service, introductory service or bathhouse, and receives compensation from the operator of the business or patrons.

"Escort" means any person who, for any consideration whatsoever:

1. Escorts, accompanies or consorts with another person to, from or about social affairs, entertainments, places of public assembly or places of amusement;

2. Escorts, accompanies or consorts with another person in or about any place of public or private resort or within any private quarters;

3. Escorts, accompanies or consorts with another person in or about any business or commercial establishment, or part or a portion thereof.

"Escort bureau" means any business agency, or self-employed or independent escort who, for any consideration whatsoever, furnishes or offers to furnish an escort.

"Introductory services" means a service offered or performed by any person for any consideration whatsoever, the principal purpose of which is to aid persons to become socially acquainted or to otherwise assist persons to meet for social purposes, or which service is generally known or should be known by the offering or performing party to be used by the recipient thereof for the purpose of obtaining information about other persons to be used for social purposes.

"Permittee" means the person to whom a permit has been issued.

"Police chief" means the chief of the police department of the city of Palm Desert, or his or her designated representative.

"Specified anatomical areas" means:

1. Less than completely and opaquely covered human genitals, pubic region, buttocks, anus

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City of Palm Desert, CA § 5.86.020

PALM DESERT CODE

§ 5.86.030

or female breasts below a point immediately above the top of the areola; or

2. Human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state, even if completely and opaquely covered.

"Specified sexual activities" means:

1. Actual or simulated sexual intercourse, oral copulation, anal intercourse, oral anal intercourse, bestiality, direct physical stimulation of unclothed genitals, flagellation or torture in the context of sexual relationship, or the use of excretory functions in the context of sexual relationship, and any of the following depicted sexually oriented acts or conduct; analingus, buggery, coprophagy, coprophilia, cunnilingus, fellatio, necrophilia, pederasty, pedophilia, piquerism, sapphism, zooerasty; or

2. Clearly depicted human genitals in a state of sexual stimulation, arousal or tumescence; or

3. Use of human or animal masturbation, sodomy, oral copulation, coitus, ejaculation; or

4. Fondling or touching of nude human genitals, pubic region, buttocks or female breasts;

5. Masochism, erotic or sexually oriented torture, beating or the infliction of pain; or

6. Erotic or lewd touching, fondling or other contact with an animal by a human being; or

7. Human excretion, urination, menstruation, vaginal or anal irrigation. (Ord. 870 § 2 (Exhibit B), 1998)

• A. It is unlawful for any person, association, partnership or corporation to engage in, conduct, carry on, or to permit to be engaged in, conducted, or carried on, in or upon any premises within the city, the business of a bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service as defined in this chapter, without possessing a permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter for each and every separate office or place of business conducted by the above. The permit fee required hereby shall be in addition to any other license, permit or fee required under any of the provisions of this code.

• B. Neither the filing of an application for the permit, nor payment of any other license, permit or fee required under any other provision of this code, shall authorize the engaging in, conduction or carrying on of a bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service.

• C. The application fee for a bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service permit shall be five hundred dollars and the application fee for an escorts permit for each escort employed therein shall be one hundred dollars and is nonrefundable and shall be used to defray the cost of investigation, processing and hearing as set forth herein. The fee set forth herein shall be in effect until the city council shall by resolution fix some other rate based upon a cost factor.

• E. Escorts Permit Required. No person shall act as an escort, unless he or she has a valid and subsisting escorts permit issued to him or her by the city pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

• F. All permits shall expire twelve months from the date they were issued. Applications for renewal of a permit shall be made sixty days prior to expiration of the renewal permit. The

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City of Palm Desert, CA

BUSINESS TAXES, LICENSES AND REGULATIONS

§ 5.86.030

§ 5.86.050

renewal application fee for a bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service permit shall be one hundred dollars and the renewal application fee for an escort permit and permit for each escort employed therein shall be fifty dollars. Said renewal application fees are nonrefundable and shall be used to defray the cost of investigation and processing said renewal applications. The fee set forth herein shall be in effect until the city council shall by resolution fix some other rate based upon a cost factor. (Ord. 870 § 2 (Exhibit B), 1998)

• A. No bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service shall be established in the following locations:

  1. In any zone other than the C-1 zones or a PR zone in connection with and within a major hotel or country club facility;

  2. Within one thousand feet of any R-l, R-I-M, R-2, R-3, PR, PC zone and one thousand feet of any other than C-1 zones in the city;

  3. Within one thousand feet of any parcel of real property in which is located any of the following uses or facilities:

     • a. Church, defined herein as any facility used primarily for worship of any religion, or used for other religious purposes,

     • b. City, county, state, federal or other governmental public buildings, including but not limited to, city halls, libraries, police and fire stations and post offices,

     • c. Schools, defined herein as: (i) institutions for teaching minor children (e.g., day schools, elementary schools, secondary schools, high schools), and (ii) institutions of higher learning receiving approved graduates of preparatory school and offering instructions in arts, letters and science, leading to the bachelor's degree or master's degree (e.g., colleges and universities). The aforesaid institutions may be funded and/or operated either by governmental public authorities or by private organizations;

  4. Within one thousand feet of any other bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service;

  5. Within one thousand feet of any business involving an on-premises sale of liquor or alcoholic beverages.

• B. The measure of reference distance in this paragraph shall be a straight line from the nearest property line containing the bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service to the nearest property line of an affected use, without regard to intervening structures.

• (Ord. 870 § 2 (Exhibit B), 1998)

Any establishment not specifically permitted by the provisions of this section shall be prohibited until such time as this section may be amended to permit such establishment. The establishments specifically permitted are as follows:

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City of Palm Desert, CA

PALM DESERT CODE

§ 5.86.050

§ 5.86.070

• A. Escort bureau;

• B. Introductory services; and

• C. Bathhouse;

All permitted establishments shall comply with all regulations and provisions of this chapter except as otherwise provided in this chapter. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as permitting any activity otherwise prohibited by state or local law.

• (Ord. 870 § 2 (Exhibit B), 1998)

The provisions of Title 25 of this code dealing with nonconforming uses shall not be applicable to bathhouses, escort bureaus or introductory services. Instead, the following amortization schedule shall apply to all bathhouses, escort bureaus or introductory services which do not conform to the terms of this chapter but otherwise are legally existing on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter:

• A. For such an establishment legally existing in the city for a period of not less than six months preceding the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter: one hundred twenty days.

• B. For such an establishment legally existing within the city for a period of not less than three months preceding the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter: ninety days.

• C. For such an establishment legally existing within the city for a period up to three months preceding the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter: sixty days.

• (Ord. 870 § 2 (Exhibit B), 1998)

In addition to the base zone requirements governing use and minimum development standards, and the applicable requirements set forth in Section 5.86.110 the following additional requirements shall be met by bathhouses, escort bureaus or introductory services:

• A. Said use shall have a separate business entrance adjacent to the required parking area and no other nonadult use shall be permitted in the same building space while used as a bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service.

• B. Maximum occupancy load, fire exits, aisles and fire equipment shall be regulated, designed and provided in accordance with the fire department and building and safety division regulations and standards.

• C. All building openings, entries, windows, etc., shall be located, covered or screened in such a manner as to prevent a view into the interior from outside the building.

• D. Lighting in Parking Lots. Lighting shall be required which is designed to illuminate all offstreet parking areas serving use for the purpose of increasing the personal safety of patrons and reducing the incident of vandalism and theft.

• E. Amplified Sound. No loudspeakers or sound equipment shall be used by a massage establishment, bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service, for amplification of sound

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City of Palm Desert, CA

BUSINESS TAXES, LICENSES AND REGULATIONS

§ 5.86.070

§ 5.86.090

to a level discernible by the public beyond the walls of the building in which such use is conducted.

• F. The building entrance to the use shall be clearly and legibly posted by a notice indicating that minors are precluded from entering the premises. As used herein, "minor" means an individual under the age of eighteen years.

• G. Commercial businesses licensed or operating within the city shall not display or exhibit any material in a manner which exposes to public view photographs or illustrations of specified sexual activities or one or more naked adults in poses which emphasize or direct the viewer's attention to the subject's genitals. As used herein, "exposed to public view" means exposes to the view of the person outside the building in which the commercial business is located.

• H. The permit required by this chapter shall be displayed in a prominent place. (Ord. 870 § 2 (Exhibit B), 1998)

Every person who maintains, conducts or operates as an escort, escort bureau or introductory service shall at all times keep a registration book in connection therewith, in which each and every customer's first, middle and last name, age, telephone number and complete address shall be written together with the date of initial contact, all appointments and contacts made thereafter and the first, middle and last names of the escort of the person to whom the customer is socially introduced. Such records shall be made available, upon request, for inspection by the city manager or the police chief.

(Ord. 870 § 2 (Exhibit B), 1998)

Any person desirous of engaging in the operation of a bathhouse, as defined in this chapter, must first secure a bathhouse permit. Application shall be made to the city's business license division. The director shall approve the application and issue the permit if the applicant meets all the requirements of this chapter, and shall deny the application if the applicant does not meet all the requirements of this chapter. There shall be no public hearing before the city council on an approved application. If the application is denied, the director shall promptly give the applicant notice thereof and the findings for such denial. The applicant aggrieved by the action of the director may appeal by filing a written appeal, within ten days of the notice of denial, with the city clerk. The city council shall set a time and place for the public heating. The decision of the city council shall be final.

• A. The business address and all telephone numbers where the activity is to occur;

• B. Name, including all names, nicknames and aliases by which the applicant has been known; and residence address, including the two previous addresses immediately prior to the present address of the applicant;

• C. Social security number, driver's license number, if any, and date of birth;

• D. Applicant's weight, height, color of hair and eyes, and sex;

• E. Written evidence that the applicant is at least eighteen years of age;

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City of Palm Desert, CA

PALM DESERT CODE

§ 5.86.090

§ 5.86.100

• F. A complete statement of all convictions of the applicant for any felony or misdemeanor or violation of a local ordinance, except misdemeanor traffic violations;

• G. Fingerprints of the applicant taken by the police department;

• H. Two front-face portrait photographs taken within thirty days of the date of application and at least two inches by two inches in size;

• I. Similar business history and experience ten years prior to the date of application, including but not limited to whether or not such person in previously operating in this or another city or state under license or permit has had such license or permit denied, revoked or suspended and the reasons therefor, and the business activities or occupations subsequent to such action of denial, suspension or revocation;

• J. The names, current addresses and written statements of at least five bona fide permanent residents, other than relatives, of the United States that the applicant is of good moral character. If the applicant is able, the statement must first be furnished from residents of the city, then the county, then the state and lastly from the rest of the United States;

• K. A medical certificate signed by a physician, licensed to practice in the state, within seven days of the date of the application. The certificate shall state that the applicant was examined by the certifying physician and that the applicant is free of communicable disease. The additional information required by this subsection shall be provided at the applicant's expense;

• L. Such other information, identification and physical examination of the person deemed necessary by the city police in order to discover the truth of the matters herein before required to be set forth in the application;

• M. Authorization for the city, its agents and employees to seek information and conduct an investigation into the truth of the statements set forth in the qualification of the applicant for permit;

• N. Written declaration by the applicant, under penalty of perjury, that the foregoing information contained in the application is true and correct, said declaration being duly dated and signed in the city.

• (Ord. 870 § 2 (Exhibit B), 1998)

• A. Any person desirous of engaging in the practice of an escort, as defined in this chapter, must first secure an escort permit. Once obtained, said permit shall be carried on the escort. Application shall be made to the city's director in the same manner as provided in this chapter for adult entertainment permits. The director shall approve the application and issue the permit if the applicant meets all the requirements of this chapter, and shall deny the application if the applicant does not meet all the requirements of this chapter. There shall be no public hearing before the city council on an approved application. If the application is denied, the director shall promptly give the applicant notice thereof and the findings for such denial. The applicant aggrieved by the action of the director may appeal by filing a written appeal within ten days of the notice of denial, with the city clerk. The city council shall set a time and place for the public hearing. The decision of the city council shall be final.

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City of Palm Desert, CA

BUSINESS TAXES, LICENSES AND REGULATIONS

§ 5.86.100

§ 5.86.110

• B. The application shall contain all of the information set forth in Section 5.86.090 pertaining to bathhouse permits.

• (Ord. 870 § 2 (Exhibit B), 1998)

No license to conduct a bathhouse shall be issued unless an inspection by the city reveals that the establishment complies with each of the following minimum requirements:

• A. Conducts, or otherwise operates, a bathhouse only between the hours of seven a.m. and twelve midnight.

• B. Post a list of services available, described in readily understandable language, and the cost of such services in a conspicuous place on the premises.

• C. Maintain a record which includes the date and time of each bath, the name and address of the patron, the name of the person administering such massage, and the type of massage given or bath taken. Such records shall be made available, upon request, for inspection by the city manager or police chief. The information contained in such records shall be confidential.

• D. Construction of rooms used for toilets, tubs, steam baths and showers shall be made waterproof with approved waterproofed materials and shall be installed in accordance with the city building code. Plumbing fixtures shall be installed in accordance with the city plumbing code.

  1. Steam rooms and shower compartments shall have waterproof floors, walls and ceilings approved by the city.

  2. Floors of wet and dry heat rooms shall be adequately pitched to one or more floor drains properly connected to the sewer. Exception: Dry heat rooms with wooden floors need not be provided with pitched floors and floor drains.

  3. A source of hot water must be available within the immediate vicinity of dry and wet heat rooms to facilitate cleaning.

• E. All employees, shall be clean and wear clean, nontransparent outer garments, covering their specified anatomical areas, the use of which garments is restricted to the establishment. A separate dressing room for each sex must be available on the premises. Each dressing room must provide individual lockers for each employee. Doors to such dressing rooms shall open inward and shall be self-closing.

• F. Toilet facilities shall be provided in convenient locations. When employees and patrons of different sexes are on the premises at the same time, separate toilet facilities shall be provided for each sex. A single water closet per sex shall be provided for each twenty or more employees or patrons of that sex on the premises at any one time. Urinals may be substituted for water closets after one water closet has been provided. Toilets shall be designated as to the sex accommodated therein.

• G. Provide a minimum of one bathtub or shower facility for the patrons; provided, however, if male and female patrons are to be served simultaneously, separate facilities shall be provided for such patrons. Where baths, as defined in this chapter, are provided, and male and female patrons are to be served simultaneously, separate rooms or baths shall be

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City of Palm Desert, CA § 5.86.110

PALM DESERT CODE

§ 5.86.120

provided for such patrons. Hot and cold running water under pressure from a potable source shall be provided to all wash basins, bathtubs, showers and similar facilities. Each water basin shall be provided with soap or detergent and single service towels placed in permanently installed dispensers. A trash receptacle shall be provided in each room where such facilities are located. In addition to the wash basin for patrons, a minimum of one separate wash basin shall be located within or as close as practicable to each area in which baths are taken.

• H. Maintain lighting intensity of not less than seventy footcandle power at floor level in any room or enclosure in all public rooms, hallways and within each room or enclosure where baths are taken.

• I. Maintain walls, ceilings, floors, pools, showers, bathtubs, water basins, toilets, wet and dry heat rooms, steam or vapor rooms and cabinets and all other facilities in good repair and in a clean and sanitary condition. Showers, water basins, toilets, wet and dry heat rooms, steam or vapor rooms, and cabinets and compartments shall be thoroughly cleaned at least once each day the bathhouse is in operation. Bathtubs shall be thoroughly cleaned after each use.

• J. Provide clean and sanitary towels, sheets and linens for each patron. No common usage of towels, sheets, and linens shall be permitted. Towels, sheets and linens shall be provided in sufficient quantity and shall not be used by more than one person unless such towels, sheets and linens have been relaundered. Heavy white paper may be substituted for sheets; provided, however, that such paper is used only for one person and then discarded into a sanitary receptacle. Separate closed cabinets or containers shall be provided for the storage of clean and soiled towels, sheets and linens, and such cabinets or containers shall be plainly marked: "clean linen" and "soiled linen."

• K. Unlock all exterior doors from interior side during business hours.

• L. Provide a separate locker for each patron to be served, which locker shall be capable of being locked and available to each patron at no extra charge.

• M. All electrical equipment shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of the city's Uniform Building Code.

• (Ord. 870 § 2 (Exhibit B), 1998)

• A. It is unlawful for an escort, massagist or any person on the premises of a massage establishment bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service to expose to any other person:

  1. Any specified anatomical areas, whether his or her own, or those of another;

  2. Any specified sexual activities.

• B. It is unlawful for any person owning, operating or managing a bathhouse, knowingly to cause, allow or permit in or about such bathhouse, any agent, employee or any other person under his control or supervision to permit such acts prohibited in subsection A of this section.

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City of Palm Desert, CA

BUSINESS TAXES, LICENSES AND REGULATIONS

§ 5.86.120

§ 5.86.140

• C. Any violation of these provisions shall be deemed grounds for revocation of the permit granted hereunder.

• (Ord. 870 § 2 (Exhibit B), 1998)

No holder of a bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service permit shall employ any person under eighteen years of age; nor shall such permittee provide any service for which it requires said permit to any patron, customer or person under eighteen years of age, except at the special instance and request of a parent, guardian, or other person in lawful custody of the minor upon whose behalf the escort, massagist or introductory service is engaged. (Ord. 870 § 2 (Exhibit B), 1998)

Any person, association, partnership or corporation desiring to obtain a business license tax certificate and a permit for a bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service shall make an application, under oath, to the city manager upon a form provided by the city manager showing:

• A. The name, current permanent residential address and telephone number of the applicant.

• B. The business name, proposed business address of the bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service and its telephone number.

If the applicant is a corporation, the name shall be exactly as set forth in its articles of incorporation and it shall provide a copy of its articles of incorporation. The applicant shall show the name and residence address of each of the officers, directors, and each stockholder owning not less than ten percent of the stock of the corporation and the address of the corporation itself, if different than the address of the bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service.

If the applicant is a partnership, the application shall show the name and residence address of each of the partners including limited partners and the address of the partnership itself, if different than the address of the bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service.

• C. The name and permanent address of the owner of the property upon which the applicant intends to locate the bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service. If the property owner is a corporation, the name shall be exactly as set forth in its articles of incorporation and the applicant shall show the name and residence address of each of the officers, directors and stockholders owning not less than ten percent of the stock of the corporation. If the property owner is a partnership, the application shall show the name and residence address of each of its partners, including limited partners.

• D. In the event the applicant is not the owner of record of the real property upon which the bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service is or will be located, the application must be accompanied by a notarized statement from the owner of record of the real property acknowledging that a bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service is or will be located on the property. In addition, the applicant must furnish a copy of the lease or rental agreement pertaining to the premises in which the bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service will be located.

• E. The date, hours and location where the bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service is

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City of Palm Desert, CA § 5.86.140

PALM DESERT CODE

§ 5.86.140

proposed to be conducted, and the admission fee, if any, to be charged.

• F. The name(s) or person(s) having the management or supervision of the applicant's business.

• G. Whether or not the applicant has been convicted of a crime, the nature of such offense, the date of conviction, place convicted, and the sentence received therefor.

If the applicant is a corporation, this requirement applies to each of the officers, directors, and/or stockholders owning not less than ten percent of the stock of the corporation. If the applicant is a partnership, this requirement applies to each of the partners, including limited partners.

• H. Whether or not the applicant has ever had any similar license or permit issued by such agency revoked or suspended, or has had any professional or vocational license or permit revoked or suspended, and the reasons therefor, and the business activity or occupation subsequent to such action of suspension or revocation. If the applicant is a corporation, this requirement applies to each of the officers, directors, and/or stockholders owning not less than ten percent of the stock of the corporation. If the applicant is a partnership, this requirement applies to each of the partners, including limited partners.

• I. Driver's license or other acceptable identification and social security number of the applicant. If the applicant is a corporation, this requirement applies to each of the officers, directors, and/or stockholders owning not less than ten percent of the stock of the corporation. If the applicant is a partnership, this requirement applies to each of the partners, including limited partners.

• J. Acceptable written proof that the applicant is at least eighteen years of age. If the applicant is a corporation, this requirement applies to each of the officers, directors, and/or stockholders owning not less than ten percent of the stock of the corporation. If the applicant is a partnership, this requirement applies to each of the partners, including limited partners.

• K. The height, weight, color of eyes, color of hair and date of birth of the applicant. If the applicant is a corporation, this requirement applies to each of the officers, directors, and/or stockholders owning not less than ten percent of the stock of the corporation. If the applicant is a partnership, this requirement applies to each of the partners, including limited partners.

• L. The business, occupation or employment history of the applicant for the last five-year period immediately preceding the date of filing of the application. If the applicant is a corporation, this requirement applies to each of the officers, directors, and/or stockholders owning not less than ten percent of the stock of the corporation. If the applicant is a partnership, this requirement applies to each of the partners, including limited partners.

• M. Each residence and business address of the applicant for the five-year period immediately preceding the date of the filing of the application. If the applicant is a corporation, this requirement applies to each of the officers, directors, and/or stockholders owning not less than ten percent of the stock of the corporation. If the applicant is a partnership, this requirement applies to each of the partners, including limited partners.

• N. One front-face portrait photograph of the applicant at least two inches by two inches and a complete set of the applicant's fingerprints which shall be taken by the city police. If the

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City of Palm Desert, CA

BUSINESS TAXES, LICENSES AND REGULATIONS

§ 5.86.140

§ 5.86.160

applicant is a corporation, one frontface portrait photograph at least two inches by two inches of all officers, directors, and stockholders owning not less than ten percent of the stock of said corporation and a complete set of the same officers', directors', and stockholders' fingerprints which shall be taken by the city police. If the applicant is a partnership, one frontface portrait photograph at least two inches by two inches in size of each partner, including limited partners in said partnership, and complete set of each partner or limited partner's fingerprints which shall be taken by the city police.

• O. The name and address of each massagist or escort who is or will be employed in said establishment.

• P. The name and address of any other bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service owned or operated by any person whose name is required to be given in subsection B of this section.

• Q. A description of any other business to be operated on the same premises or on adjoining premises owned or controlled by the applicant. If the applicant is a corporation, this requirement applies to each of the officers, directors, and/or stockholders owning not less than ten percent of the stock of the corporation. If the applicant is a partnership, this requirement applies to each of the partners, including limited partners.

• R. Authorization for the city, its agents and employees to seek information and conduct an investigation into the truth of the statements set forth in the application and the qualifications of the applicant for the permit.

• S. Such other identification and information necessary to discover the truth of the matters hereinbefore specified as required to be set forth in the application.

• T. The names, current addresses and written statements of at least three bona fide permanent residents of the United States that the applicant is of good moral character. If the applicant is able, the statement must first be furnished from residents of the city, then the county, then the state and lastly, from the rest of the United States. These references must be persons other than relatives and business associates. If the applicant is a corporation, this requirement applies to each of the officers, directors and/or stockholders owning not less than ten percent of the stock of the corporation. If the applicant is a partnership, this requirement applies to each of the partners, including limited partners.

• U. Applicant must furnish for any person whose name is required to be given in subsection F the information required by subsections A, I, J, K, L, M, N, P, R, S, and T of this section.

The holder of the permit for a bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service shall notify the city's department of code enforcement and business licenses of each change in any of the data required to be furnished by this section within ten days after such change occurs. (Ord. 870 § 2 (Exhibit B), 1998)

Upon application for a renewal permit, the applicant shall provide all the information set forth in Section 5.86.140.

(Ord. 870 § 2 (Exhibit B), 1998)

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City of Palm Desert, CA

PALM DESERT CODE

§ 5.86.160

§ 5.86.190

• A. After an application permit has been filed with the city manager or his designated representative, he/she shall cause an investigation to be made by the city's department of code compliance director and business licenses. The director and business licenses shall refer copies of the application to the following departments and agencies within five days of receipt of the application: department of building and safety, department of community services and planning, police department, Riverside County health department, Riverside County fire marshal. These departments and agencies shall within thirty days inspect the premises proposed to be operated as a bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory services and shall make written verification to the director concerning compliance with the Palm Desert Municipal Code and the codes of Riverside County and state of California that they administer. If such premises are not in compliance, the director shall notify the applicant, in writing, of the deficiencies, and shall cause the reinspection of such premises to be made upon written request for reinspection by the applicant; provided, however, that such request for reinspection is made within thirty days after notice of noncompliance has been given by the director. The applicant shall further be referred to the city's police department for investigation of the applicant's character and qualifications. There shall be no public hearing before the city council on an approved application. If there are concerns regarding an application by the director, the application shall be set for a public hearing before the city council and the applicant notified of the date of such hearing.

• B. If the application is denied, the director shall promptly give the applicant notice thereof and the findings for such denial. The applicant aggrieved by the action of the director may appeal by filing a written appeal, within ten days of the notice of denial, with the city clerk. The city council shall set a time and place for the public hearing. The decision of the city council shall be final.

• (Ord. 870 § 2 (Exhibit B), 1998)

After the city manager has set the application for hearing, he shall cause notice of the hearing to be given within thirty days to all property owners within three hundred feet of the proposed or actual location of the applicant's business. For the purpose of this section, notice to property owners shall be sufficient if given to those property owners who appear as such on the last equalized assessment roll on file with the city. Additionally, the city manager shall cause a public notice to be published in a newspaper of general circulation ten days prior to the hearing date. All notices provided for this section shall be in the form and manner as determined by the city manager. This procedure shall not apply to applications for individual massagist bather or escort permits.

(Ord. 870 § 2 (Exhibit B), 1998)

At the time and place set for public hearing as to any application, the city council shall hear and determine all facts and evidence relevant to the nature and location of the proposed, bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service, and the character, reputation and moral fitness of those who will conduct, participate in or be in charge of such bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service. This procedure shall not apply to applications for individual or escort permits. (Ord. 870 § 2 (Exhibit B), 1998)

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City of Palm Desert, CA

BUSINESS TAXES, LICENSES AND REGULATIONS

§ 5.86.190

§ 5.86.190

At the conclusion of the hearing before the city council, the city council shall grant an application for a bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service permit if the following findings are made:

• A. The traffic generated by the proposed use will not impose a greater burden upon the streets and highways in the area than similar use in the area;

• B. The conduct of the bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service, as proposed by the applicant, if permitted, will comply with all applicable laws, including but not limited to the city's building, zoning and health regulations;

• C. The applicant has not knowingly made any false, misleading or fraudulent statements of fact in the permit application, or any other document required by the city in conjunction therewith; if the applicant is a corporation, this requirement applies to each of the officers, directors, and/or stockholders owning not less than ten percent of the stock of the corporation. If the applicant is a partnership, this requirement applies to each of the partners, including limited partners;

• D. The applicant or any other person who will be directly engaged in the management and operation of the bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service:

  1. Has not done any act involving dishonesty, fraud or deceit with the intent to substantially benefit himself, herself or another, or substantially injure another, or

  2. Has not been convicted of any crime. A conviction shall mean a plea or verdict of guilty or conviction following a plea of nolo contendere, unless the conviction was so remote in time as to indicate that the applicant has been rehabilitated, or the applicant has presented evidence to the chief of police which shows to the satisfaction of the chief of police that the applicant has been rehabilitated,

  3. The act or crime referred to in subsection D1 or D2 hereinabove must be substantially related to the qualifications, functions or duties of a person engaged in the business or practice of bathhouse, escort bureaus or introductory services;

• E. The correct permit fee has been tendered to the city and, in the case of a check or bank draft, honored with payment upon presentation;

• F. The applicant has not had a bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service, or escort's or other similar permit denied, revoked or suspended by the city or any other state or local agency within five years prior to the date of the application;

• G. The applicant, if an individual, or any of the officers, directors, and stockholders who own not less than ten percent of the stock of said corporation, if the applicant is a corporation; or any of the partners, including limited partners, if the applicant is a partnership; and the manager or other person principally in charge of the operation of the business, is not under the age of eighteen years. If the applicant is a corporation, this requirement applies to each of the officers, directors and/or stockholders owning not less than ten percent of the stock of the corporation. If the applicant is a partnership, this requirement applies to each of the partners, including limited partners;

• H. The city may issue a license or permit to any person convicted of any of the crimes described in subsections D1 or D2 of this section if it finds that such conviction occurred

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City of Palm Desert, CA § 5.86.190

PALM DESERT CODE

§ 5.86.200

at least five years prior to the date of the application and the applicant has had no subsequent felony convictions of any nature and no subsequent misdemeanor convictions for crime mentioned in this section.

• (Ord. 870 § 2 (Exhibit B), 1998)

After notice and heating pursuant to the procedures provided in this chapter the city council shall deny, suspend or revoke any permit applied for, or issued under this chapter, if it finds and determines that:

• A. The business as conducted by permittee, its agent(s) or employee(s), or any person(s) connected or associated with the permittee as partner, director, officer, general manager or other person(s), who is exercising managerial authority of, or on behalf of permittee acting under the authority of such permit, does not comply with all applicable laws, including but not limited to the city's building, zoning and health regulations; or

• B. Permittee, its agent(s) or employee(s), or any person connected or associated with the permittee as partner, director, officer or general manager or other person(s), who is exercising managerial authority of, or on behalf of permittee, acting under the authority of such permit, has:

  1. Knowingly procured said permit by false statements, representations or nondisclosure of a material fact when such fact would have constituted good cause for denying the application for such permit or any document required by the city in conjunction therewith, or

  2. The permittee has ceased to meet any of the requirements for issuance of a permit, or

  3. Any failure on the part of the owner, manager or other person in charge of the premises to enforce the regulations set forth in this chapter or to cooperate with the police department by promptly reporting any fight, brawl or other unlawful activities occurring on the premises, or

  4. The premises for which the permit was issued is being operated in an illegal or disorderly manner, or

  5. Noise from the establishment for which the permit was issued interferes with the peace and quiet of the neighborhood, or

  6. The applicant has done any act involving dishonest, fraud or deceit with the intent to substantially benefit himself, herself or another, or substantially injure another, or

  7. The applicant has been convicted of any crime. A conviction shall mean a plea or verdict of guilty or conviction following a plea of nolo contendere, unless the conviction was so remote in time as to indicate that the applicant has been rehabilitated, or the applicant has presented evidence to the chief of police which shows to the satisfaction of the chief of police that the applicant has been rehabilitated.

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City of Palm Desert, CA

BUSINESS TAXES, LICENSES AND REGULATIONS

§ 5.86.200

§ 5.86.260

Such denial may be made only if the act or crime referred to in subsection B6 or B7 of this section must be substantially related to the qualifications, functions or duties of a person engaged in the business or practice of bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory services.

(Ord. 870 § 2 (Exhibit B), 1998)

The city council shall act to approve or deny an application for a permit under this chapter within a reasonable period of time and in no event shall the city council act later than ninety days from the date that said application was deemed complete by the director, including completion of the background investigation.

(Ord. 870 § 2 (Exhibit B), 1998)

The city shall from time to time make inspection of each bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service for the purposes of determining that the provisions of this chapter are fully complied with. It is unlawful for any permittee to fail to allow such inspection officer access to the premises or hinder such officer in any manner.

(Ord. 870 § 2 (Exhibit B), 1998)

Any person violating any of the provisions or failing to comply with any of the requirements of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof, shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars, or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period of not more than six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Each day a violation is committed or permitted to continue shall constitute a separate offense. (Ord. 870 § 2 (Exhibit B), 1998)

The provisions of Section 5.86.200 are to be construed as added remedies and not in conflict or derogation of any other actions or proceeding or remedies otherwise provided by law. (Ord. 870 § 2 (Exhibit B), 1998)

Any bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service operated, conducted or maintained contrary to the provisions of this chapter is unlawful and a public nuisance, and the city attorney may, in addition to or in lieu of prosecuting a criminal action, in accordance with Title 1 of this code, commence an action(s) or proceeding(s), for the abatement, removal or enjoinment thereof, in the manner provided by law; and shall take such other steps and shall apply to such court(s) as may have jurisdiction to grant such relief as will abate or remove such businesses and restrain and enjoin any person from operating, conducting or maintaining a bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service contrary to the provision of this chapter. (Ord. 870 § 2 (Exhibit B), 1998)

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City of Palm Desert, CA § 5.86.260

PALM DESERT CODE

§ 5.86.270

Upon sale, transfer or relocation of a bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service the permit therefor shall be null and void unless approved as provided in Section 5.86.190; provided, however, that upon the death or incapacity of the permittee, heir or devisee of a deceased permittee, or any guardian of an heir or devisee of a deceased permittee, may continue the bathhouse, escort bureau or introductory service for a reasonable period of time not to exceed sixty days to allow for an orderly transfer of the permit.

(Ord. 870 § 2 (Exhibit B), 1998)

No permit shall be transferable except with the consent of the city council. An application for such transfer shall be in writing and shall be accompanied by fees prescribed in Section 5.86.030. The written application for such transfer shall contain the same information as requested in this chapter for initial application for the permit.

(Ord. 870 § 2 (Exhibit B), 1998)

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City of Palm Desert, CA

BUSINESS TAXES, LICENSES AND REGULATIONS

§ 5.87.010

§ 5.87.030