San Bernardino Municipal Code Ch. 5.52 Escort Bureaus

For the purpose of this chapter, the following definition shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

ESCORT BUREAU. Any business or agency which, for a fee, commission, hire, reward or profit, furnishes or offers to furnish escorts or persons who, for hire or reward, accompany others to or about social affairs, entertainments or places of amusement, or who consort with others, for hire or reward, about any place of public resort or within any private quarters. The requirements of this chapter shall have no application and no effect upon and shall not be construed as applying to any business, agency or person which provides escort services for elderly persons pursuant to Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code, §§ 9400 et seq., when such services are provided as part of a social welfare and health program for such older persons.

(Ord. 2100, passed 3-6-1956; Ord. MC-575, passed 1-8-1987)

It is unlawful for any person to conduct, manage or carry on any escort bureau without first securing a permit therefor from the Chief of Police. No such permit shall be issued by the Chief of Police except upon the verified application in writing of the individual to be in control of, and responsible for, the operation and conduct of the business. The application shall be upon a form furnished by the Police Department and shall set forth such information concerning the applicant and the proposed business as the Chief of Police may require, and must be accompanied by, a fee in the sum of $200, or such amount as subsequently set by resolution of the Mayor and City Council. Each permit issued shall expire on December 31 next following the date of issuance, and each application for the annual renewal thereof shall be accompanied by a renewal fee in the sum of $75, or such amount as subsequently set by resolution of the Mayor and City Council. No permit under this section shall be issued to, or in the name of, any organization, group, corporation, partnership or any other entity than an individual person; but the business may be advertised and carried on by the permittee under a fictitious name in the manner permitted by law; provided such fictitious name is first approved by the Chief of Police.

(Ord. 2100, passed 3-6-1956; Ord. MC-460, passed 5-15-1985; Ord. MC-1487, passed 4-18-2018)

Each application must state the names and addresses of all escorts intended to be employed by the applicant, and, if a permit is granted, the permittee must notify the Chief of Police in writing, within 24 hours, of any change in personnel. All such escorts shall be registered by the Police Department and shall be photographed and fingerprinted. No escort shall be registered unless there is furnished to the Chief of Police satisfactory evidence of the good moral character of such escort. The registration of any escort may be canceled for cause by the Chief of Police and thereafter no escort bureau shall employ, engage or deal with such escort.

(Ord. 2100, passed 3-6-1956)

If the Chief of Police, after investigation, finds that the applicant for the permit is of good moral character and reputation, and that the business is to be conducted at a suitable and proper place, and is not calculated or intended to be operated as a subterfuge for the conduct of any unlawful or immoral business or practice, then a permit shall be granted. Otherwise, the application shall be denied.

(Ord. 2100, passed 3-6-1956)

The permittee shall conduct the business only at the address shown on the permit. Each additional place of business shall require a separate permit. Upon the abandonment of the designated place of business, a change of address may be granted by the Chief of Police upon the payment of a special fee of $25, and the new address shall be endorsed upon the permit.

(Ord. 2100, passed 3-6-1956)

A record shall be kept by each permittee showing every transaction whereby any escort is employed, furnished or arranged for on behalf of any patron or customer; the date and approximate hour of the transaction; the name, address and telephone number of the patron or customer; the name of each escort involved; and such other information as the Chief of Police may reasonably require by rule or regulation. Such record shall be kept available and open to the inspection of any police officer at any time during business hours and shall be presented before the Chief of Police at any time upon written request therefor.

(Ord. 2100, passed 3-6-1956)

The Mayor and City Council shall have the power to suspend or revoke any permit, or to deny a renewal after notice and an opportunity for a hearing has been given to the permittee upon any of the following grounds:

(A) That the permittee has, in the course of the business, committed or caused, permitted, encouraged or condoned the commission of any act in violation of this section, or any lewd and immoral act, or any act of prostitution; or

(B) That the business has been conducted, in whole or in part, as a subterfuge to facilitate or to conceal the conduct of any unlawful business or practice.

(Ord. 2100, passed 3-6-1956; Ord. MC-1487, passed 4-18-2018)

Nothing contained in this chapter shall apply to the lawful business of any employment agency licensed under the laws of this state.

(Ord. 2100, passed 3-6-1956)

No permittee under this chapter shall employ, as an escort, any person under 21 years of age.

(Ord. 2100, passed 3-6-1956)

No permittee shall furnish any escort to or accept employment from any patron, customer or person to be escorted who is under 18 years of age, except at the special instance and request of the parent, guardian or other person in lawful custody of the person upon whose behalf the escort service is engaged.

(Ord. 2100, passed 3-6-1956; Ord. MC-575, passed 1-8-1987)

[Reserved]

(Repealed by Ord. MC-460, passed 5-15-1985)