Chapter 5.48 — ESCORT BUREAUS AND INTRODUCTORY SERVICES

For purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

"Escort" shall mean:

• (a) Any person who, for compensation, acts as a companion to other individuals, accompanying them to social affairs, places of entertainment, amusement, places of public assembly, or within any private quarters, located or situated within the City of West Hollywood;

• (b) Any person who, for compensation, acts as a companion to other individuals, accompanying them in or about any business or commercial establishment, or part or portion thereof, located or situated within the city.

"Escort bureau" shall mean any business establishment or agency which, for financial compensation, furnishes, or offers to furnish, escorts.

"Introductory service" shall mean a business which, for compensation, provides or offers a service, the principal purpose of which is to aid individuals to become socially acquainted or otherwise assist individuals to meet for social purposes, or which provides information to individuals about others for the purpose of facilitating their meeting. (Prior code § 6351(a); Ord. 90-269 § 1, 1990)

This chapter shall not apply to the lawful business of any employment office or employment agency licensed under state law.

(Prior code § 6351(b); Ord. 90-269 § 1, 1990)

In addition to the information prescribed by the Director, each application for a business license for an escort bureau or introductory service shall contain the following information:

1. The names and addresses of all escorts and employees employed by or intended to be employed by the applicant;

2. The last two previous addresses of the applicant and each escort and employee;

3. The business, occupation, or employment of the applicant, each escort, and each employee for the last three years immediately preceding the application;

4. The height, weight, hair and eye color of the applicant, each escort and each employee:

5. Photographs and fingerprints of the applicant, each escort and each employee;

6. In the event the applicant is not the owner of record of the real property upon which the escort bureau or introductory service is or is to be located, the application must be accompanied by a notarized statement from the owner of record of the property acknowledging that an escort bureau or introductory service is or will be located on the

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City of West Hollywood, CA § 5.48.030

WEST HOLLYWOOD CODE

§ 5.48.050

property. In addition to furnishing such notarized statement, the applicant shall furnish the name and address of the owner of record of the property, as well as a copy of the lease or rental agreement pertaining to the premises in which the escort bureau or introductory service is or will be located;

7. A definition of the service to be provided.

(Prior code § 6351(c); Ord. 269 § 1, 1990; Ord. 08-800 § 2, 2008)

1. Registration of Escorts and Employees.

   • (a) Every escort or employee of an escort service or an introductory service shall register with the Sheriff and no escort bureau or introductory service shall hire or employ any escort or employee who is not registered with the Sheriff.

   • (b) Every escort bureau and introductory service shall, within twenty-four hours, notify the Sheriff of every change in personnel of escorts or employees.

2. Manager Required. Every escort bureau and introductory service licensed pursuant to this chapter shall employ a manager to oversee the orderly operation of the licensed activity at all hours during which the bureau or service is open.

3. Age Restrictions.

   • (a) A person conducting an escort bureau shall not furnish any escort to, or accept employment from, any patron, customer or person who is under eighteen years of age, except at the special instance and written request of the parent, guardian or other person in lawful custody of the person upon whose behalf the escort service is engaged.

   • (b) A person conducting an introductory service shall not list or provide any individuals, or their names or addresses, for purposes of introduction or dating, who are less than eighteen years of age.

   • (c) A person who conducts an escort bureau or introductory service shall not employ or provide as an escort or date any person under eighteen years of age.

4. Record of Transactions.

   • (a) Every person managing an escort bureau or introductory service shall keep a record of every transaction showing:

     • (1) The name of each escort employed, furnished or arranged for or the names of any individuals introduced (as applicable);

     • (2) The name, address and telephone number of the patron or customer for whom that escort was employed or the introduction made (as applicable);

   • (b) The licensee shall keep all such records open and available for the inspection of the Sheriff, any one of his or her deputies, any police officer, or any person authorized to enforce the provisions of this code. The licensee shall deliver said records to the Sheriff upon the Sheriff's written request.

(Prior code § 6351(d); Ord. 90-269 § 1, 1990; Ord. 17-1019 § 9, 2018)

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City of West Hollywood, CA

BUSINESS LICENSES, REGULATIONS AND PERMITS

§ 5.48.050

§ 5.48.060

1. At the time of filing an application with the Director, the applicant shall file and thereafter maintain with the city's Risk Manager a good and sufficient bond in the aggregate sum of $5,000, running to the city for the use and benefit of interested persons and parties, executed by the applicant and two or more responsible sureties, or a surety company authorized to do business in the state of California, which surety company shall be approved by the city's Risk Manager.

2. Recovery for Damage. Any individual who sustains any injury covered by the bond may, in addition to any other remedy at law which the individual may have, bring an action in his or her own name upon the said bond for the recovery of any damage sustained by that person. Upon such action being commenced, such bond shall not be void upon first recovery thereon but may be sued upon from time to time until the whole of the penalty shall be exhausted.

3. Damages Covered. The bond shall protect patrons or customers of the escort bureau or introductory service from damages arising from any fraud or theft perpetrated by the owners, operators, escorts or employees of such businesses as a result of the operation thereof.

(Prior code § 6351(e); Ord. 90-269 § 1, 1990; Ord. 08-800 § 2, 2008)

In addition to the grounds specified in Section 5.08.190, a license to conduct an escort bureau or introductory service may be suspended or revoked if the Commission finds:

1. That the licensee has committed or caused, permitted, encouraged or condoned the Commission of any lewd act or any act of prostitution; or

2. 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.

(Prior code § 6351(f); Ord. 90-269 § 1, 1990)

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City of West Hollywood, CA

BUSINESS LICENSES, REGULATIONS AND PERMITS

§ 5.52.010

§ 5.52.030