ORD 489 ORDINANCE NO. 489
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES AMENDING
CHAPTER 5.24 (MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS AND TECHNICIANS) OF
THE CITY'S MUNICIPAL CODE.
WHEREAS, massage permitting requirements and restrictions, as adopted by the City of
Rancho Palos Verdes by Ordinance No. 399 and contained within Chapter 5.24 of the City's
Municipal Code, are reasonably necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of the
citizens of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes;
WHEREAS, the goal of Chapter 5.24 is to eliminate the risks associated with illegal
massage establishments, the City recognizes the need to allow individuals and businesses
operating under the massage permitting requirements and restrictions of Chapter 5.24
additional flexibility to operate successfully and profitably within the City;
WHEREAS, it is also necessary to amend Chapter 5.24 in order to comply with new
legislation ("SB 731"), which adds Chapter 10.5 (beginning at Section 4600, et. seq.) to the
California Business and Professions Code;
WHEREAS, the amendments to Chapter 5.24 set out by this Ordinance will serve to
maintain high standards of operation and conduct and make changes necessary to the Code
after the passage of SB 731;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE, AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: Section 5.10.010 (Definitions) of Chapter 5.10 (Business and Occupation
Permits) of Title 5 (Business Taxes, Licenses and Regulations) of the Municipal Code is hereby
amended to add, in alphabetical order, the following definitions:
"`Chair Massage' means a massage given to a person who is fully clothed and
sitting upright on a professional bodywork seat, a stool or office seat, wheelchair, or
other chair-like device."
`Outcall massage' is any massage performed by a massage technician outside of
the licensed massage establishment where the massage technician is employed.
Outcall massages, including chair massages, are prohibited unless conducted on the
premises where the massage establishment is located and such premises are subject to
a conditional use permit that specifically authorizes the massage establishment and the
performance of outcall massage services on said premises in accordance with the
applicable provisions of Chapter 5.24."
Section 2: Section 5.10.010 (Definitions) of Chapter 5.10 (Business and Occupation
Permits) of Title 5 (Business Taxes, Licenses and Regulations) of the Municipal Code is hereby
amended to revise the following definition:
`Massage establishment' means any fixed place of business where any
person engages in, conducts, or carries on, or permits to be engaged in,
conducted or carried on, any business of giving a massage."
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Section 3: Section 5.10.080 (Permit Modification, Suspension and Revocation
Procedure) of Title 5 (Business Taxes, Licenses and Regulations) of the Municipal Code is
hereby amended to read:
"Any permit issued by the director or city manager under this chapter may be modified,
suspended or revoked for cause by a hearing officer in accordance with the provisions of this
section. The hearing officer shall be selected in a manner ensuring fair and impartial decision-
making. Not less than fifteen (15) days prior to the public hearing, the City Clerk shall notify the
director or city manager and the permittee of the names of three qualified attorneys or retired
Superior Court or Appellate Court judges submitted to the City Clerk by a reputable firm
providing mediators or arbitrators to serve as a panel from which the hearing officer is selected.
Within five (5) days of the date of mailing or providing the notice of the available panel, the
director or city manager and permittee may notify the City Clerk in writing that he or she elects
to remove one of the three potential hearing officers. The City Clerk shall then request the
mediation and arbitration firm to select one of the remaining names on the list as the designated
hearing officer for the public hearing, if more than one name remains. The hearing officer shall
have no bias for or against the director or the permittee.
A. A public hearing to determine whether or not an existing permit should be
modified, suspended or revoked shall be initiated by a written statement of charges. Such
statement may be initiated by any department of the city or any agency required to review or
inspect the permitted activity for compliance with city regulations. Such statement shall be
submitted to the director.
B. If the director determines that the charges demonstrate that there may be an
adverse impact of the business on the public health, safety or welfare, notice of the public
hearing on the charges shall be given at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the hearing in the
following manner:
1. Notice of the public hearing shall be posted in the manner required by law and
shall include the time, place and date set for hearing as well as the business activity proposed
to be operated, and the location of operation of such proposed business activity.
2. Notice of the public hearing shall be posted on the site on which the proposed
business activity is to be located and upon the street on which the proposed business activity is
to be located. Such notice shall include the information specified in Section 5.10.030(D)(3)(a) of
this chapter.
3. Notice of the public hearing shall be mailed by certified or registered mail or
personally delivered to the permittee. Notice of the public hearing shall also be mailed to the
owners and tenants of the properties within a radius of five hundred feet of the exterior
boundaries of the property involved in the application.
C. At the public hearing, the permittee or legal representative of the permittee shall
have the right to bring witnesses to testify on his or her behalf. Hearings need not be conducted
according to technical rules relating to evidence and witnesses.
D. Within thirty (30) calendar days after the conclusion of the public hearing, the
hearing officer shall issue a written decision. The decision shall contain a determination of the
issues presented. Any decision to modify, suspend or revoke a permit shall be based on the
grounds set forth in Section 5.10.090 of this chapter. Notice of the hearing officer's decision
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shall be mailed by certified or registered mail or personally delivered to the permittee.
E. Whenever a permit is suspended or revoked, the director or Los Angeles County
Sheriff shall take into possession the business permit for the subject business activity. The
permittee shall surrender the business permit, permit stickers, or similar evidence of a permit to
the director or to the Los Angeles County Sheriff. No business permit fee refunds shall be
issued to any permittee upon suspension or revocation of a business permit.
F. Upon revocation or suspension of a business permit, the permittee shall cease
operation of the business activity immediately. Except as otherwise provided, in the event that
the permit is suspended, the permittee may resume operation once the suspension period has
expired.
G. Upon revocation of any business permit under this chapter, no business permit to
operate the same business activity shall be granted to the same person within one year after
such revocation.
Section 4: Section 5.10.090 (Permit Modification, Suspension and Revocation
Procedure) of Title 5 (Business Taxes, Licenses and Regulations) of the Municipal Code is
hereby amended to read:
"A. Businesses Involving Constitutionally Protected Expressive Activities. The
hearing officer may modify, suspend or revoke a business permit for any business activity
involving first amendment activities if the hearing officer finds that one or more of the following
conditions exist:
1. The building, structure, premises or equipment used to conduct the business activity
fails to comply with any applicable health, zoning, fire, and building and safety laws of the state
of California or the city;
2. The permittee has knowingly made any false, misleading or fraudulent statement of
material fact in the application for a business permit, or in any report or statement required to be
filed with the director or the city;
3. The permittee, permittee's employees, agents or manager has violated any statute or
any provision of this Code resulting from any act performed in the exercise of any rights
permitted by the issuance of the permit that is being considered for modification, suspension or
revocation;
4. The permittee, permittee's employees, agents or manager, has violated any provision
of federal or state law or any provision of this Code or any other rule or regulation on the
business premises or relating to the permitted activity;
5. The permittee, permittee's employees, agents or manager has published, uttered or
disseminated any false, deceptive or misleading statements or advertisements in connection
with the permitted business;
6. The permittee has failed or refused to notify the director of any change in facts as
required by this chapter within ten (10) calendar days after such change;
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7. The permittee, permittee's employees, agents or manager has violated any conditions
or restrictions imposed on the permit;
8. The permittee, permittee's employees, agents or manager has permitted, allowed or
failed to prevent the use of the business as a base or magnet for unlawful or criminal activity,
including, but not limited to, prostitution and drug trafficking; or
9. The permittee fails to permit the city or any authorized authorities to conduct the
inspections authorized by Section 5.10.100(C) of this chapter or any other inspection authorized
by this Code.
B. Businesses Which Do Not Involve Constitutionally Protected Expressive
Activities. The hearing officer may modify, suspend or revoke a business permit for any
business activity not involving first amendment activities if the hearing officer finds that one or
more of the following conditions exist:
1. The building, structure, premises or equipment used to conduct the business activity
fails to comply with any applicable health, zoning, fire, and building and safety laws of the state
of California or the city;
2. The permittee has knowingly made any false, misleading or fraudulent statement of
material fact in the application for a business permit, or in any report or statement required to be
filed with the director or the city;
3. The permittee, permittee's employees, agents or manager has violated any statute or
any provision of this Code resulting from any act performed in the exercise of any rights
permitted by the issuance of the permit that is being considered for modification, suspension or
revocation;
4. The permittee, permittee's employees, agents or manager, has violated any provision
of federal or state law or any provision of this Code or any other rule or regulation on the
business premises or relating to the permitted activity;
5. The permittee, permittee's employees, agents or manager has published, uttered or
disseminated any false, deceptive or misleading statements or advertisements in connection
with the permitted business;
6. The permittee has failed or refused to notify the director of any change in facts as
required by this chapter within ten (10) calendar days after such change;
7. The permittee, permittee's employees, agents or manager has violated any conditions
or restrictions imposed on the permit;
8. The permittee, permittee's employees, agents or manager has been found to have
committed a crime of moral turpitude that bears a substantial relationship to the conduct of the
business activity;
9. The permittee, permittee's employees, agents or manager has been held liable or
convicted of any offense involving the maintenance of a nuisance resulting from any act
performed in the exercise of any rights permitted by the issuance of the permit;
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10. The permittee, permittee's employees, agents or manager has violated any rule or
regulation adopted by the city or any other governmental agency relating to the permittee's
business;
11. The permittee, permittee's employees, agents or manager has conducted the
permitted business in a manner contrary to the peace, health, safety and the general welfare of
the public, including, without limitation, by allowing or failing to prevent the use of the business
as a base or magnet for unlawful or criminal activity.
12. The permittee fails to permit the city or any authorized authorities to conduct the
inspections authorized by Section 5.10.100(C) of this chapter or any other inspection authorized
by this Code.
C. Automatic Suspension Upon Lapse of Insurance. Whenever an applicant for any
business permit is required to procure, post or maintain in effect any bond, undertaking, deposit,
surety or policy of insurance, any business permit so issued is good only while such bond,
undertaking, deposit, surety or policy of insurance is in full force and effect. The permit shall
automatically be suspended without notice if at any time such bond, undertaking, deposit, surety
or policy of insurance is not in full force and effect. The director shall notify the permittee in
writing of any suspension pursuant to this section. Within ten (10) calendar days after the date
of such notice, the permittee may request in writing a hearing before a hearing officer. The
hearing officer shall hold a public hearing in a manner consistent with Section 5.10.080(b) of this
chapter, and as indicated by the evidence received at the hearing, may modify or revoke the
permit or terminate the suspension and restore the permit. If the permittee does not request a
hearing, the permit is automatically revoked at the end of ten (10) calendar days following the
notification of suspension."
Section 5: Chapter 5.24 (Massage Establishments and Technicians) of Title 5
(Business Taxes, Licenses and Regulations) of the Municipal Code is hereby amended in its
entirety to read as follows:
"Article 1. Massage Establishments
5.24.010 Effect of adult entertainment activities.
Any permittee who provides or allows to be provided any services which fall
within any of the categories of"adult entertainment business" as defined in
Section 5.10.010 shall immediately have his or her permit to operate a massage
establishment or to work as massage technician revoked. No services conducted
by a massage establishment or a massage technician will be permitted to
continue upon revocation of the permit.
5.24.020 Permit required.
No person shall engage in conduct or carry on the business of a massage
establishment or a recognized school of massage without a permit issued under
the provisions of Chapter 5.10. If any of the provisions of Chapter 5.10 conflict
with the provisions of this chapter, the provisions of this chapter shall prevail as
to all matters and questions arising out of the subject matter of this chapter.
5.24.030 Definitions.
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For the purposes of this chapter, unless it is plainly evident from the context that
a different meaning is intended, the words and phrases set forth in Section
5.10.010 shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them therein.
5.24.040 Additional information required for application.
A. In addition to the information required in Section 5.10.030(B), an
applicant for a massage establishment permit shall furnish the following
information:
1. The full true name under which the business will be
conducted;
2. The applicant's full, true name, any other names used,
date of birth, California driver's license number or California identification
number, current residential address and telephone number, and the sex, height,
weight, color of hair and color of eyes of applicant;
3. The previous two residences of the applicant and the
inclusive dates at each address;
4. The applicant's business, occupation and employment
history for five years preceding the date of application and the inclusive dates of
same;
5. The permit history of the applicant, including whether such
person has ever had any permit or license issued by any agency, board, city,
county, territory or state, the date of issuance of such a permit or license,
whether the permit or license was revoked or suspended or if a vocational or
professional license or permit was issued, revoked, or suspended and the
reason(s) therefor;
6. All convictions for any crime, except for minor traffic
violations, and the reasons therefor;
7. Two photographs of the applicant, taken within six months
prior to the date of the application, that clearly show the applicant's face. Any
fees for the photographs shall be paid by the applicant;
8. The applicant's fingerprints in the manner prescribed by
the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Any fees for the fingerprinting
shall be paid by the applicant;
9. A complete description of all services to be provided;
10. The name, address, and date of birth of each massage
technician who is or will be employed or trained in said establishment;
11. The name and address of any massage establishment, or
similar business, owned or operated by any person whose name is required to be
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given pursuant to this section wherein the business or profession of massage is
carried on;
12. Acceptable written proof that the applicant is at least
eighteen years of age;
13. The applicant, if a corporation, or partnership, shall
designate one of its officers or general partners to act as its responsible
managing employee. Such person shall complete and sign all application forms
required of an individual applicant under this chapter. However, only one
application fee shall be charged. The corporation's or partnership's responsible
managing employee must, at all times, meet all of the requirements established
for a permittee by this chapter or the corporation or partnership permit shall be
suspended until a responsible managing employee who meets such
requirements is designated. If no such person is found within ninety days, the
corporation or partnership permit is deemed canceled without further notice and
a new initial application for permit must be filed;
14. A description of any other business to be operated on the
same premises, or on adjoining premises, owned or controlled by the applicant;
15. The name and address of the owner and lessor of the real
property upon or in which the business is to be conducted. In the event the
applicant is not the legal owner of the property, the application must be
accompanied by a copy of the lease and a notarized acknowledgment from the
owner of the property that a massage establishment will be located on his or her
property; and
16. The full true name and any other names used, current
address, date of birth, California Drivers License or California identification
number, and the information required by subsections (A)(2-8, 12) of this section,
of each on-site manager(s) of the businesses.
B. The applicant or permit holder shall give written notification of any
change of information required by this section to the director within five business
days after such change.
C. A certificate of compliance from both the city's building and safety
division, and the Los Angeles County Health Department must be submitted prior
to the approval of the application. Any required inspection fees shall be the
responsibility of the applicant. If the director does not receive the certificates of
compliance within ninety days of the date of filing, the application shall be
deemed void. If any land use permit or other entitlement for use is required, such
permit or use shall also be applied for and received prior to the massage
establishment permit becoming effective.
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5.24.050 Additional criteria for issuance or denial of permit.
The director shall grant the permit only if he or she finds that there is no reason
to deny the permit under Section 5.10.040 and that all of the following
requirements have been met:
A. The applicant, if an individual, or any of the stockholders of the
corporation, or any officers or directors, if the applicant is a corporation, or if a
corporation serves as a partner, officer or director of the applicant, or any partner
if the applicant is a partnership, or if any partnership serves as a partner, officer
or director of the applicant, and any on-site manager of the business, has not
been convicted in a court of competent jurisdiction of an offense involving
conduct which requires registration under California Penal Code Section 290 (or
its successor), and has not been convicted for a violation of the provisions of
California Penal Code Sections 266i, 314, 315, 316, 318, 647, California Health
and Safety Code Sections 11054 to 11058, or their respective successors, or any
other crime involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or moral turpitude;
B. The applicant has not had a massage establishment, massage
technician, or other similar permit or license denied, revoked, or suspended by
the city, or any other state or local agency prior to the date of approval;
C. An inspection reveals that the proposed location for the massage
establishment complies with each of the minimum requirements set forth in
Section 5.24.060 of this chapter;
D. The applicant is at least eighteen years of age; and
E. The applicant complies with all of the provisions of this chapter.
F. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, an application
for a permit shall be denied upon a showing by the city of proof that either the
massage personnel or the owner(s) or operator(s) of the proposed massage
business are required to register under the provisions of California Penal Code
Section 290.
5.24.060 Operating requirements.
A. Employee Reporting Requirements. The holder of a permit
required by Section 5.24.020 shall notify the director in writing of the name and
address of each person employed as a massage technician or an on-site
manager within five business days of that person being employed.
B. Employment of Unlicensed Massage Technicians Prohibited. It
shall be unlawful for any owner, manager, operator, responsible managing
employee or permittee in charge of or in control of a massage establishment to
employ or permit a person to act as a massage technician who is not in
possession of a valid, unrevoked massage technician permit issued pursuant to
this chapter.
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C. Location Authorization. Any permit to conduct a massage
establishment shall specify the exact location(s) where massage services may
take place, and no massage shall be given in a business or on premises that are
not so authorized by this chapter. Massage establishment permits shall be
prominently displayed and visible at all times during operating hours.
D. Site Requirements. Unless the massage is conducted as an
outcall massage in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, no massage or
massage services shall be given in a business or premises licensed pursuant to
this chapter, or in an establishment providing acupressure, shiatsu, skin care,
body wrap or the like, unless such business or premises complies with the
following criteria:
1. Doors. No massage services shall be provided in an
establishment that provides such services in any cubicle, room, booth, or other
area that is fitted with a door capable of being locked. The premises, exterior
doors and the doors separating the waiting or reception area from the remainder
of the premises, shall remain unlocked during business hours (including electric
locking devices).
2. Signs. A recognizable and readable sign shall be posted
at the main entrance, identifying the establishment. A list of services available
and the cost of such services shall be posted in an open public place within the
premises, and shall be described in readily understandable language. No owner,
manager, operator, responsible managing employee, or permittee shall permit,
and no massage technician shall offer or perform, any service other than those
posted. All signs shall comply with all requirements of this Code.
3. Building Code Requirements.
a. Minimum lighting shall be provided in accordance
with the building code, and, in addition, at least one artificial light of not less than
forty watts shall be provided in each enclosed room or booth where massage
services are being performed on a patron.
b. Minimum ventilation shall be provided in
accordance with the building code.
4. Cleanliness.
a. Adequate equipment for disinfecting and sterilizing
instruments used in performing the acts of massage shall be provided. This
requirement shall apply to outcall massages.
b. Hot and cold running water shall be provided at all
times.
c. Separate closed cabinets shall be provided for the
storage of clean and soiled linen and shall be plainly marked as "clean linen" and
"soiled linen," respectively.
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d. All walls, ceilings, floors, pools, showers, bathtubs,
steam rooms and other physical facilities shall be in good repair.
5. Separate Rooms for Customers Required. In an
establishment where massage services are rendered only to members of the
same sex at any one time, such persons of the same sex may be placed in a
single separate room. If male and female patrons are to be treated
simultaneously at the same massage establishment, a separate massage room
or rooms shall be provided for male and female patrons, provided, however, that
massage establishments having separate massage rooms for male and female
patrons (or separate rooms for all male or all-female patrons) may provide
`couples massages" in a single room, subject to the requirements of this
subsection (5). Couples massages, i.e., concurrent massage of two persons, are
permitted within one room provided all other requirements of this chapter are
satisfied, including, but not limited to, the provision of a separate massage table
and massage technician for each customer. Any room to be used for couples
massage shall be sufficiently sized to as to comply with any and all applicable
Building and Fire Codes and to permit free passage and movements of the
massage technicians.
6. Bathing, Dressing and Toilet Facilities. Adequate bathing,
dressing, locker and toilet facilities shall be provided for patrons. A minimum of
one tub or shower, one dressing room containing a separate locker for each
patron to be served, which locker shall be capable of being locked, as well as a
minimum of one toilet and one wash basin, shall be provided in every massage
establishment; provided, however, that if male and female patrons are to be
served simultaneously at the establishment, separate bathing, separate dressing
and separate toilet facilities shall be provided for male and female patrons.
7. Wash Basins for Employees. A minimum of one separate
wash basin shall be provided in each massage establishment for the use of
employees of any such establishment, which basin shall provide soap or
detergent and hot and cold running water at all times, and shall be located within
or as close as practicable to the area devoted to the performing of massage
services. In addition, there shall be provided at each washbasin sanitary towels
placed in permanently installed dispensers.
E. Operational Requirements Generally. Every establishment
licensed pursuant to this chapter shall be maintained and operated in conformity
with the following criteria:
1. Hours of Operation. Other than permittees conducting
outcall massages in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, the permittee
shall not conduct massages or operate a massage establishment between the
hours of eleven p.m. and seven a.m. of the following day, and shall exclude all
customers, patrons and visitors therefrom between those hours.
2. Recording of Activities Prohibited. No building or part
thereof where massage or massage services are being conducted shall be
equipped with any electronic, mechanical or artificial device used, or capable of
being used, for recording or videotaping, or for monitoring the activities,
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conversation or other sounds in the treatment room(s) or room(s) used by
customers.
3. Maintenance of Premises and Equipment.
a. All walls, ceilings, floors, pools, showers, bathtubs,
steam rooms and all other physical facilities for the establishment shall be in
good repair and maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
b. Wet and dry heat rooms, steam or vapor rooms, or
steam or vapor cabinets, shower compartments and toilet rooms shall be
thoroughly cleaned each day the business is in operation. Bathtubs shall be
thoroughly cleaned after each use.
c. Clean and sanitary towels and linens shall be
provided for each patron of the establishment or each patron receiving massage
services. No common use of towels or linens shall be permitted. This
requirement shall apply to the conduct of outcall massages.
d. Standard or portable massage tables shall be used
with a durable, washable plastic or other waterproof material as a covering.
Foam pads more than four inches thick or more than four feet wide may not be
used. This requirement shall apply to the conduct of outcall massages, with the
exception of chair massages. Beds, mattresses and waterbeds may not be used
in the administration of a massage, including outcall massages.
4. Persons Using Alcohol or Drugs Prohibited. A person shall
not enter, be or remain in any part of a massage establishment while in the
possession of, consuming or using any alcoholic beverage or drugs. The
permittee, manager and every supervising employee shall not permit any such
person to enter or remain upon such premises. However, alcoholic beverages
may be present during an outcall massage, so long as it is not provided or served
by the massage establishment or massage technician. Alcoholic beverages may
be provided in designated areas of the massage establishment, if specifically
authorized by a conditional use permit issued by the City and all required
licenses, including licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages issued by the
California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control, have been obtained and
remain valid.
5. Prohibited Activity. No massage establishment shall place,
publish or distribute or cause to be placed, published or distributed any
advertising matter that depicts any portion of the human body that would
reasonably suggest to prospective customers or clients that any service is
available other than those services described in the definition of`massage' in
Section 5.10.010, nor shall any massage establishment employ language in the
text of such advertising that would reasonably suggest to a prospective patron
that any service is available other than those services as described in the
definition of`massage' in Section 5.10.010.
6. No massage establishment or massage technician shall
sell or serve food or beverages on the premises where the massage
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establishment is being conducted, except that food and beverages may be
present during the conduct of outcall massages, so long as the food and
beverages are not provided or served by the massage technician. Food and
beverages may be provided in designated areas of the massage establishment,
if specifically authorized by a conditional use permit issued by the City and all
required licenses, including any additional license required by Section 5.10.120,
have been obtained and remain valid.
7. Physical Contact Prohibited. No massage establishment
shall permit any massage technician, in the course of administering any massage
service, including outcall massages, to expose his or her specified anatomical
areas or buttocks or to make physical contact with the specified anatomical areas
of any client. No massage establishment shall allow any client, in the course of
receiving any massage service, including outcall massages, to expose to view of
other persons his or her specified anatomical areas or to make physical contact
with the specified anatomical areas or buttocks of any massage technician or any
other person.
F. Inspections. The director, the Los Angeles County Sheriff and the
Los Angeles County Health Department, or their authorized representatives, shall
have the right to enter the massage establishment for the purpose of making
reasonable unscheduled inspections to observe and enforce compliance with
applicable regulations, laws, and provisions of this chapter.
G. Manager Required. A massage establishment shall at all times the
establishment is open have a responsible person acting as manager on the
premises to ensure compliance with these provisions. The manager must be
familiar with the requirements of this chapter and be capable of communicating
the provisions of this chapter to employees and patrons of the establishment.
5.24.070 Permit nontransferable.
No massage establishment permit may be sold, transferred or assigned by the
permittee, or by operation of law, to any other person or persons, and any such
sale, transfer or assignment, or attempted sale, transfer or assignment, shall be
deemed to constitute a voluntary surrender of such permit and such permit shall
thereafter be deemed terminated and void. Such attempted transfers include, but
are not limited to, the transactions specified in subsections 1-8 of Section
5.10.070(A).
Article 2. Massage Technicians
5.24.200 Permit required.
No person shall act as a massage technician without a permit issued pursuant to
Chapter 5.10. If any of the provisions of Chapter 5.10 conflict with the provisions
of this chapter, the provisions of this chapter shall prevail as to all matters and
questions arising out of the subject matter of this chapter.
5.24.210 Additional information required for application.
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In addition to the information required in Sections 5.10.030(B) and 5.24.040(A)(2-
8), an application for a permit required by this article shall also include:
A. Written proof that the applicant is over the age of eighteen years;
B. Applicant's height, weight, color of eyes and hair. The applicant
may be required to have his or her height and weight confirmed by the Los
Angeles County Sheriff's Department;
C. Business, occupation or employment of the applicant for the three
years immediately preceding the date of the application;
D. All convictions for any crime, except for minor traffic violations,
and the reasons therefor;
E. A certificate from a medical doctor stating that the applicant has,
within thirty days immediately prior thereto, been examined and found to be free
of any contagious or communicable disease, including, at a minimum, Hepatitis
A, B & C, Tuberculosis, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, HIV and Chlamydia, and any other
diseases now or in the future deemed contagious or communicable by the Los
Angeles County Health Department. Certificates shall be mailed by the medical
doctor directly to the City in a sealed envelope marked "confidential"; and
F. Such other identification and information reasonably necessary to
discover the truth of the matters specified in subsections A through E of this
section.
5.24.220 Verification of applicant qualifications.
A. The applicant shall furnish with his or her application for a permit
to be a massage technician proof of one of the following:
1. A diploma or certificate of graduation from a recognized
school wherein the method, profession and work of a massage technician is
taught;
2. A diploma or certificate from a school outside of the state
of California which substantially complies with the educational requirements of
Section 29025 of the Education Code of this state;
3. Other evidence showing not less than five years'
experience as a practicing massage technician; or
4. Evidence of enrollment at a recognized school of massage.
B. The director or his or her designee shall have the right to verify for
authenticity the information supplied pursuant to this section. Such verification
may include administering oral or written practical exams to an applicant for a
massage technician license for the purpose of determining the applicant's
qualifications to perform the massage services that would be authorized by the
license.
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5.24.230 Additional criteria for issuance or denial of permit.
The director shall grant the permit only if he or she finds that there is no reason
to deny the permit under Section 5.10.040 and that all of the following
requirements have been met:
A. The applicant has not been convicted in a court of competent
jurisdiction of an offense involving conduct which requires registration under
California Penal Code Section 290 (or its successor) and has not been convicted
for a violation of the provisions of California Penal Code Sections 266i, 314, 315,
316, 318, 647, California Health and Safety Code Sections 11054 to 11058 or
their respective successors or any other crime involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit
or moral turpitude;
B. The applicant has not had a permit or license or an application for
a permit or license for a massage establishment, massage technician, or other
similar use denied, revoked, or suspended by the city, or any other state or local
agency prior to the date of approval;
C. The applicant is at least eighteen years of age;
D. The applicant has not been registered in any state as a prostitute;
E. The applicant provides proof of education or experience as
required in Section 5.24.220; and
F. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, an application
for a permit shall be denied upon a showing by the city of proof that the applicant
is required to register under the provisions of California Penal Code Section 290.
5.24.240 Operating requirements.
A. Attire. No massage or massage services may be administered
unless the patron wears clothing which covers the patron's genitals, and if the
patron is female, the breasts. The massage technician shall at all times while on
the premises of the establishment, or while conducting outcall massages in
accordance with the provisions of this chapter, be clean;and wear
nontransparent outer garments covering the body from knee to neck.
B. Physical Contact Prohibited. No massage technician shall, in the
course of administering any massage service, including outcall massages,
expose his or her specified anatomical areas or buttocks or make physical
contact with the specified anatomical areas of any client. Nor shall any massage
technician allow any client, in the course of receiving any massage service,
including outcall massages, to expose to view of other persons his or her
specified anatomical areas or buttocks or to make physical contact with the
specified anatomical areas or buttocks of the massage technician or any other
person.
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C. Employer Compliance. No massage technician shall knowingly
provide massage services at a massage establishment that does not comply with
the operating requirements in Section 5.24.060 of this chapter.
D. Display of Permit. The massage technician permit issued
pursuant to this chapter shall remain in the technician's possession at all times
while the technician is administering a massage and shall be presented upon the
request of any other person.
Article 3. General Requirements
5.24.300 Grounds for modification, revocation or suspension of permit.
In addition to the grounds set forth in Section 5.10.090, any permit issued
pursuant to this chapter may be modified, suspended or revoked if:
A. The permittee has been convicted of or entered a plea of guilty or
nolo contendere to any violation of California Health and Safety Code Sections
11054 through 11058, inclusive (or their respective successors), or any violation
of California Penal Code Sections 647(b), 266(h), 266(i), 315, 316 or 318 (or their
respective successors);
B. The permittee has failed to permit the city or any authorized
authorities to conduct any inspections authorized by this title including, without
limitation, Sections 5.10.100(C), 5.24.060(F) or any other inspection authorized
by this Code; or
C. The permittee has violated any provisions of this chapter.
5.24.310 Exemptions.
A. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the following:
1. Physicians, surgeons, chiropractors, osteopaths, physical
therapists who are duly licensed to practice their respective professions in the
state.
2. Nurses registered under the laws of the state.
3. Persons who are licensed to practice any healing art under
the applicable provisions of the Business and Professions Code of the state of
California or any other statute of this state and provide any treatment
administered in good faith.
4. Barbers, cosmetologists and electrolysists who are duly
licensed under the laws of the state while engaging in practice within the scope
of their licenses, except that this exemption shall apply solely to the massaging of
the neck, face, and/or scalp of the customer or client.
5. Hospitals, nursing homes, sanatoriums, or other health
care facilities duly licensed by the state.
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6. Accredited high schools, junior colleges, and colleges or
universities whose coaches and trainers are acting within the scope of their
employment.
7. Trainers of amateur, semi-professional or professional
athletes or athletic teams.
8. Any business duly licensed as a health club, provided only
one massage table is used at such location and provided such use is incidental
to the operation of the health club.
9. Persons certified by the State pursuant to Government
Code Section 4600, et. seq. and establishments or businesses who employ or
use only persons certified pursuant to the same.
B. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (A) of this section, no
person or facility expressly exempted under this section from the application of
this chapter shall hire or employ a massage technician unless such massage
technician possesses a valid, subsisting license required by Article 2 of this
chapter or any paramount state law.
C. Persons that have been certified by the State and establishments
or businesses that employ or enter into contracts only with persons who have
been certified by the State and, therefore, are exempt from the permitting
requirements of this Chapter, pursuant to Chapter 10.5 (beginning with Section
4600, et. seq) of the Business and Professions Code, due to the preemption set
forth therein, but only to the extent of such preemption. Persons and
establishments or businesses claiming to be exempt pursuant to this subsection
(C) shall have the burden of establishing the applicability of such exemption and
shall maintain, on their premises or on their person, as applicable, evidence of
such exemption, which must be presented upon request for review by the city or
its agents or employees.
5.24.320 Hardship waiver.
A. Hardship Waiver. Any person subject to the provisions of this
chapter who provides massage services as a secondary service in connection
with a business that was lawfully in existence at the subject location on February
1, 2002, where no more than one massage therapist provides massage services
at said business at any one time, may apply for a hardship waiver relieving
him/her from complying with the facilities requirements set forth in Section
5.24.060 under either of the following circumstances:
1. The facility in question lacks the physical space to comply
with the requirements set forth in Section 5.24.060; or
2. Compliance with the requirements set forth in Section
5.24.060 would cause an undue financial hardship to the applicant.
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B. Application. Requests for a hardship waiver shall be submitted to
the director on a form furnished by the city. The application shall be accompanied
by a sworn affidavit, together with any supporting documents or materials,
demonstrating to the reasonable satisfaction of the director or his or her designee
that the facility complies with the requirements of subsection (A) of this section
and lacks the physical space to meet the requirements set forth in Section
5.24.060 or that compliance with said requirements would cause an undue
financial hardship to the applicant.
C. Findings. The director or his or her designee shall issue the
hardship waiver or deny the request within fifteen business days of receipt of the
application. The director or his or her designee may issue a hardship waiver if
he/she finds that the facility complies with the requirements of subsection (A) of
this section and that the supporting documentation submitted with the application
demonstrates to his or her satisfaction that either:
1. The facility lacks the physical space to meet the
requirements set forth in Section 5.24.060; or
2. Compliance with the requirements set forth in Section
5.24.060 would cause an undue financial hardship to the applicant who is
requesting the hardship waiver. The director or his or her designee shall issue a
written notice of determination and shall serve such written notice of
determination on the person requesting the hardship waiver via certified mail,
return receipt requested. If the application is denied, the notice shall set forth the
reason(s) for the denial. The determination rendered by the director shall be final.
D. Duration of Waiver. Any hardship waiver granted pursuant to this
section shall immediately terminate if the facility is sold or ownership of the
facility otherwise changes. "
Section 6: Severability. If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph,
sentence, clause or phrase in this Ordinance or any part thereof is for any reason held to be
unconstitutional or invalid or ineffective by any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision
shall not affect the validity or effectiveness of the remaining portions of this Ordinance or any
part thereof. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed each section,
subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact
that any one or more sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses or
phrases be declared unconstitutional, or invalid, or ineffective.
Section 7: The City Clerk shall cause this Ordinance to be posted in three (3) public
places in the City within fifteen (15) days after its passage, in accordance with the provisions of
Section 36933 of the Government Code. The City Clerk shall further certify to the adoption and
posting of this Ordinance, and shall cause this Ordinance and its certification, together with
proof of posting, to be entered in the Book of Ordinances of the Council of this City.
Section 8: Effective Date. This Ordinance shall go into effect and be in full force and
effect at 12:01 a.m. on the thirty-first (31st) day after its passage.
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Ordinance No.489
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PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 16th day of June 2009.
LOP
hie
ayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )ss
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES )
I, Carla Morreale, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, do hereby certify that
the whole number of members of the City Council of said City is five; that the foregoing
Ordinance No. 489 passed first reading on June 2, 2009, was duly and regularly adopted by the
City Council of said City at a regular meeting thereof held on June 16, 2009 by the following
vote:
AYES: Gardiner, Long, Stern, Wolowicz and Clark
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
&1(c&— /
City Clerk
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Ordinance No.489
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Ajl!
OS VEVERDES
AL
RANCHO
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES)
The undersigned, being first duly sworn, deposes and says:
That at all times herein mentioned, she was and now is the appointed City Clerk
of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes;
That on June 25, 2009, she caused to be posted the following document
entitled: ORDINANCE NO. 489, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO PALOS VERDES AMENDING CHAPTER 5.24 (MASSAGE
ESTABLISHMENTS AND TECHNICIANS) OF THE CITY'S MUNICIPAL
CODE, a copy of which is attached hereto, in the following locations:
City Hall Ladera Linda Community Center
30940 Hawthorne Blvd. 32201 Forrestal Drive
Rancho Palos Verdes Rancho Palos Verdes
Hesse Park
29301 Hawthorne Blvd.
Rancho Palos Verdes
I certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is a true and correct affidavit of
posting.
/ / I / ///,
_i
City Clerk
W:\FORMS\Form 150-Affidavit of Posting Ordinance No.489.doc