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Earlier editions: 2026-07

Title 4 — Business Regulation›Chapter 4.34 — ADULT-RELATED ESTABLISHMENTS

Rancho Cordova Municipal Code Art. I General Provisions

Rancho Cordova Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Rancho Cordova

Cite as: Rancho Cordova Municipal Code Article I · Text as of 2026-10-04

§ 4.34.000. Purposes.

There has been a proliferation throughout the city of Sacramento of adult-related establishments, such as escort bureaus, introductory services, public bathhouses, model studios, sexual encounter centers, and similar businesses which offer patrons services or entertainment characterized by an emphasis on matters depicting, describing or relating to specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas. There has been a demonstrable relationship between high incidence of unlawful prostitution and drug-related crime, and the adult-related establishments regulated by this chapter. Such businesses operate as fronts for houses of prostitution and for illegal drug-related transactions. Past regulation by the city of some of these establishments has been unsuccessful because the establishments evade the regulations by changing their names to indicate different objects or purposes from the types of businesses regulated.

The city of Sacramento has recently enacted comprehensive schemes for the regulation of adult entertainment establishments, in the form of both zoning restrictions and business licensing provisions. These regulations will ultimately make it more difficult for such establishments to open and continue operation within the city, and fewer such establishments are likely to continue operating within said jurisdiction. The city's regulatory program will have the ultimate effect of forcing proprietors of such establishments to look to other areas with potentially less restrictive regulations to continue their operations, including the city of Rancho Cordova.

A system of requiring regulatory licenses for adult-related establishments and for those persons rendering services to customers will assist in assuring illegal activities do not occur on the premises or otherwise in connection with the business within the city of Rancho Cordova. If criminal activity occurs on the premises, or if other provisions of this chapter are violated, the licenses are subject to revocation. Criminal liability also exists for a violation of this chapter. These provisions will provide the chief of police with both preventative and investigatory tools to control illegal activity in such businesses, and will promote and protect the public health, safety and welfare.

By the definition of "adult-related establishment" contained in RCMC § 4.34.010, it is the intent of the city council to prevent evasion of the provisions of this chapter through the device of calling the business by a new or different name. If specified sexual activities are involved, or if specified anatomical areas are displayed, this chapter is intended to apply to both the premises and the individuals who provide such services to the patrons, regardless of the individual's title or position, or of the name given to the business.

This chapter is enacted pursuant to the provisions of Section 51034 of the Government Code.

(SCC 578 § 15 (part), 1983; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 38-2007 § 1 (Exh. 1(A)); Ord. 9-2009 § 2)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 4.34.005. Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the terms identified by RCMC § 4.34.010 through § 4.34.060 shall be ascribed the meanings indicated.

(SCC 578 § 15 (part), 1983; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 4.34.010. Definitions – Adult-related establishment.

"Adult-related establishment"

means a bathhouse, escort bureau, introductory service, modeling studio or sexual encounter center, as defined by this chapter. "Adult-related establishment" shall also include any other business or establishment which has available for or offers any patron, for pecuniary compensation, consideration, hire or reward, services or entertainment or activities which involve specified sexual activities or the display of specified anatomical areas.

"Adult-related establishment"

does not include an adult bookstore, adult motion picture theater, adult mini-motion picture theater, adult hotel or motel, or cabaret.

(SCC 578 § 15 (part), 1983; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 9-2009 § 2)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 4.34.015. Definitions – Bathhouse.

"Bathhouse"

means an establishment whose primary business is to provide, for pecuniary compensation, consideration, hire or reward, access to any kind of bath facility, including, but not limited to, showers, saunas and hot tubs.

(SCC 578 § 15 (part), 1983; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 4.34.020. Definitions – Sexual encounter center.

"Sexual encounter center"

means a business which provides two or more persons, for pecuniary compensation, consideration, hire or reward, with a place to assemble for the purpose of engaging in specified sexual activities or displaying specified anatomical areas.

"Sexual encounter center"

does not include hotels or motels.

(SCC 578 § 15 (part), 1983; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 4.34.025. Definitions – Introductory service.

"Introductory service"

means a business which, for pecuniary compensation, consideration, hire or reward, will help persons to meet or become acquainted with others for social purposes. For purposes of this section, "others" include personnel of the introductory service.

(SCC 578 § 15 (part), 1983; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 4.34.030. Definitions – Massage services.

Repealed by Ord. 9-2009.

(SCC 578 § 15 (part), 1983; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 4.34.035. Definitions – Modeling services.

In relation to "modeling services," the following terms shall be ascribed the following meanings:

A.

"Modeling studio"

means a business which provides, for pecuniary compensation, consideration, hire or reward, figure models who display specific anatomical areas to be observed, sketched, photographed, painted, sculpted or otherwise depicted by persons who pay such considerations;

B.

"Figure model"

means any person who, for pecuniary compensation, consideration, hire or reward, poses to be observed, sketched, painted, drawn, sculpted, photographed or otherwise depicted.

(SCC 578 § 15 (part), 1983; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 4.34.040. Definitions – Escort services.

In relation to "escort services," the following terms shall be ascribed the following meanings:

A.

"Escort bureau"

means a business which, for pecuniary compensation, consideration, hire or reward, furnishes or offers to furnish escorts;

B.

"Escort"

means a person who, for pecuniary compensation, consideration, hire or reward, either escorts or accompanies others to or about social affairs, entertainment or places of amusement, or keeps company with others about any place of public resort or within any private quarters.

(SCC 578 § 15 (part), 1983; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 4.34.045. Definitions – Specified anatomical areas.

"Specified anatomical areas"

shall include:

A.

Less than completely and opaquely covered:

Human genitals or pubic regions;

Buttocks; or

Female breasts below a point immediately above the top of the areola; and

B.

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

(SCC 578 § 15 (part), 1983; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 4.34.050. Definitions – Specified sexual activities.

"Specified sexual activities"

shall include the following:

A.

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

B.

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

C.

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

D.

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

E.

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

F.

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

G.

Human excretion, urination, menstruation or vaginal or anal irrigation.

(SCC 578 § 15 (part), 1983; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 4.34.055. Exemptions.

Neither the provisions of Chapter 4.10 RCMC nor this chapter shall be applicable to or include the following:

A. Hospitals, nursing homes, sanitariums, or persons working in any such establishments;

B. Persons holding an unrevoked certificate to practice the healing arts under the laws of the state of California or persons working under the direction of any such persons;

C. Barbers or cosmetologists lawfully carrying out their particular occupation or business, and holding a valid, unrevoked license or certificate of registration issued by the state of California; or

D. Modeling schools maintained pursuant to standards established by the State Board of Education of the state of California.

(SCC 578 § 15 (part), 1983; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 38-2007 § 1 (Exh. 1(C)); Ord. 9-2009 § 2)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 4.34.060. Hours of operation.

It shall be unlawful for any adult-related establishment to be operated or remain open for business between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. of the following day.

(SCC 578 § 15 (part), 1983; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 4.34.065. List of services.

A list of the services available and the price of such services shall be posted in a clearly visible place at or near the entrance of each adult-related establishment. The services available shall be described in readily understandable language. No adult-related establishment shall render or provide, or offer to render or provide, any service not listed in compliance with this section.

(SCC 578 § 15 (part), 1983; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 4.34.070. Personnel registers.

Operators of adult-related establishments shall maintain personnel registers, which shall be available for inspection by the chief of police at all times during regular business hours, as follows:

A. With respect to an escort service, a personnel register shall be maintained which includes the name and employee permit number of each person employed or retained as an escort.

B. With respect to a model studio, a personnel register shall be maintained which includes the name and employee permit number of each person employed or retained as a figure model.

C. With respect to any adult-related establishment, other than a model studio or escort service, a personnel register shall be maintained which includes the names of all persons employed or retained on the premises to provide services, the title of the position of each such person, and as to those persons required to possess employee permits by this chapter, their employee permit numbers.

(SCC 578 § 15 (part), 1983; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 38-2007 § 1 (Exh. 1(A)); Ord. 9-2009 § 2)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 4.34.075. Employment of minors.

It shall be unlawful for the operator or any other person in charge of an adult-related establishment to employ or retain any person who is under the age of 18 years to perform any service on the premises of the establishment.

(SCC 578 § 15 (part), 1983; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 4.34.080. Schools of massage.

Repealed by Ord. 9-2009.

(SCC 578 § 15 (part), 1983; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 4.34.085. Sanitation requirements – Massage establishments.

Repealed by Ord. 9-2009.

(SCC 578 § 15 (part), 1983; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 4.34.090. Sanitation requirements – Bathhouses.

Within bathhouses, towels shall not be supplied to more than one patron unless such towels have first been laundered and disinfected. Wet and dry heat rooms, steam or vapor rooms and cabinets, shower rooms and compartments, toilet rooms and pools shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected as needed, and at least once a day the premises are open, with a disinfectant approved by the health officer. Bathtubs shall be thoroughly cleaned after each use with a disinfectant approved by the health officer. All walls, ceilings, floors and other physical facilities shall be in good repair and maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.

(SCC 578 § 15 (part), 1983; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 4.34.095. Sanitation requirements – Massage technicians.

Repealed by Ord. 9-2009.

(SCC 578 § 15 (part), 1983; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 4.34.100. Minimum qualifications – Massage managers.

Repealed by Ord. 9-2009.

(SCC 578 § 15 (part), 1983; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 4.34.105. Minimum qualifications – Massage technicians.

Repealed by Ord. 9-2009.

(SCC 578 § 15 (part), 1983; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4)

Exceptions & meaning →

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