[1]
Editor's note—Ord. No. B-717, adopted June 10, 2004, superseded former Art. IX, which pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Code 1983, §§ 12-100—12-110; Ord. No. B-453, adopted April 28, 1988.
(Ord. No. B-717, § 1(12-120), 6-10-2004)
The findings contained in the preamble of the ordinance adopting this article are determined to be true and correct and are adopted as a part of this article.
(Ord. No. B-717, § 1(12-121), 6-10-2004)
It is the purpose of this article to regulate sexually oriented businesses to promote the health, safety, morals, and general welfare of the citizens of the city, and to establish reasonable and uniform regulations to prevent the concentration of sexually oriented businesses within the city. The provisions of this article have neither the purpose nor effect of imposing a limitation or restriction on the content of any communicative materials, including sexually oriented materials. Similarly, it is not the intent nor effect of this article to restrict or deny access by adults to sexually oriented materials protected by the First Amendment or to deny access by the distributors and exhibitors of sexually oriented entertainment to their intended market.
(Ord. No. B-717, § 1(12-122), 6-10-2004; Ord. No. B-717(A0114), § 1, 2-3-2014)
The words and terms used in this article that are not defined herein shall have the meanings commonly ascribed to them. Words used in the present tense include the future tense. Words in the singular number include the plural number and words in the plural number include the singular number. The word "he" shall be defined to include the word "she."
ADULT ARCADE
Any place to which the public is permitted or invited wherein coin-operated, token-operated or electronically, electrically or mechanically controlled still or motion picture machines, projectors, or other image-producing devices are maintained to show images to five or fewer persons per machine at any one time, and where the images so displayed are distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting or describing specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas.
ADULT BOOKSTORE
A commercial establishment which as one of its principal business purposes offers for sale or rental for any form of consideration books, magazines, periodicals or other printed matters, or any combination thereof, which are distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matters depicting or describing specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas.
ADULT CABARET
A nightclub, bar, restaurant, or similar commercial establishment which regularly features persons who appear in a state of nudity or give live performances which are distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on the exposure of specified anatomical areas or by an emphasis on specified sexual activities.
ADULT MOTEL
A hotel, motel or similar commercial establishment which:
(1) 
Offers accommodations to the public for any form of consideration and provides patrons with closed-circuit television transmissions, films, motion pictures, video cassettes, slides, or other pornographic reproductions which are distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matters depicting or describing specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas and has a sign visible from the public right-of-way which advertises the availability of this adult type of photographic reproductions; or
(2) 
Offers a sleeping room for rent for a period of time that is less than ten hours; or
(3) 
Allows a tenant or occupant of a sleeping room to subrent the room for a period of time that is less than ten hours.
ADULT MOVIE THEATER
A commercial establishment where, for any form of consideration, films, motion pictures, video cassettes, video reproductions, slides or other visual representations, or any combination thereof, are regularly shown which are distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matters depicting or describing specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas.
ADULT NOVELTY STORE
A commercial establishment which as one of its principal business purposes offers for sale or rental for any form of consideration any one or more of the following:
(1) 
Books, magazines, periodicals, or other printed matter, or photographs, films, motion pictures, videocassettes or video reproductions, slides, objects, or other visual representations which depict or describe specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas; or
(2) 
Instruments, devices, or paraphernalia which are designed or manufactured for use in connection with specified sexual activities. This does not include items used for birth control or for prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.
ADULT SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT
A commercial establishment which offers services or sells products to customers and in which one or more of the employees or the customer appears in a state of nudity, semi-nudity, or simulated nudity.
ADULT VIDEO STORE
A commercial establishment which as one of its principal business purposes offers for sale or rental for any form of consideration photographs, films, motion pictures, video cassettes, video reproductions, slides or other visual representations, or any combination thereof, which are distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matters depicting or describing specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas.
CHIEF OF POLICE
The Chief of Police of the City of Burleson or the chief's designated representative.
CUSTOMER
Any person who:
(1) 
Is allowed to enter a sexually oriented business in return for the payment of an admission fee or any other form of consideration or gratuity; or
(2) 
Enters a sexually oriented business and purchases, rents, or otherwise partakes of any merchandise, goods, entertainment, or other services offered therein; or
(3) 
Is a member of and on the premises of a sexually oriented business operating as a private club.
EMPLOYEE
Any person who renders any service whatsoever to the customers of a sexually oriented business or who works in or about a sexually oriented business and who receives compensation for such service or work from the operator or owner of the sexually oriented business or from its customers.
ESCORT
A person who, for consideration, agrees or offers to act as a companion or date for another person, or who agrees or offers to privately model lingerie or to privately perform a striptease for another person.
ESCORT AGENCY
A person or business association who, as one of its principal business purposes, furnishes, offers to furnish, or advertises to furnish escorts, or any combination thereof, for a fee, tip, or other consideration.
LICENSEE
A person in whose name a license to operate a sexually oriented business has been issued, as well as any and all individuals listed as applicants on the application for a license.
LICENSED DAY-CARE CENTER
An establishment licensed by the State of Texas, for the purpose of providing daycare for infants and children.
NUDE MODELING STUDIO
Any place where a person who appears in a state of nudity or displays specified anatomical areas is provided or allowed to be observed, sketched, drawn, painted, sculptured, photographed or similarly depicted by other persons who pay money or any form of consideration.
NUDITY OR STATE OF NUDITY
Less than completely and opaquely covered:
(1) 
Human genitals, pubic region, or pubic hair;
(2) 
All portions of a female breast below a point immediately above the top of the areola continuing downward to the lowest portion of the breast;
(3) 
Human buttock; or
(4) 
Any combination of the above.
For purposes of this definition, body paint, body dyes, tattoos, liquid latex, and other similar substances, whether wet or dried, shall not be considered an opaque covering.
OPERATES OR CAUSES TO BE OPERATED
To cause to function or to put or keep in operation. A person may be found to be operating or causing to be operated a sexually oriented business whether or not that person is an owner, part owner, licensee, or manager of the establishment.
PERSON
An individual, firm, association, organization, partnership, trust, foundation, company or corporation.
PREMISES
The grounds and all buildings, vehicles, and appurtenances pertaining to the grounds, including any adjacent premises if they are directly or indirectly under the control of the same person.
PRINCIPAL
Over 35 percent of customers, volume of sales, stock in trade, display areas, or presentation time, or any combination thereof in any three-month increment period beginning from the date of issuance of a certificate of occupancy. Stock in trade shall be measured with all titles or objects available on the premises for sale or rental including those that are identical, considered a separate title or object.
PUBLIC PARK
A publicly owned or publicly leased tract of land, whether situated in the city or not, designated, dedicated, controlled, maintained and operated for use by the general public for active or passive recreational or leisure purposes by the City or any political subdivision of the State and containing improvements, pathways, access or facilities intended for public recreational use. The term public park shall not include parkways, public roads, rights-of-way esplanades, medians, traffic circles, or easements unless such tracts or areas contain and provide improvements or access to a recreational or leisure use by the public.
REGULARLY
Featuring, promoting, or advertising a happening or occurrence on a recurring basis.
RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION
A building or group of buildings in which persons regularly assemble for religious worship and activities intended primarily for purposes connected with such worship or for propagating a particular form of religious belief.
RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
A district zoned for residential uses under the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Burleson, including, but not limited to, the following zoning classifications: single-family rural (SFR), single-family estate (SFE), single-family 16 (SF16), single-family 10 (SF10), single-family 7 (SF7), single-family attached (SFA), two-family (2F), multi-Family 1(MF1), multi-family 2 (MF2), manufactured housing dwelling (MH), and manufactured housing park (MHP).
RESIDENTIAL USE
A one family, townhouse, duplex, triplex, fourplex, mobile home, manufactured home, or multiple-family dwelling as defined in the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Burleson.
SEX PARLOR
An establishment that is operated for the purpose of giving massages, at the establishment or on a home-call basis, that are intended to provide sexual stimulation or sexual gratification in combination with a massage.
SEXUAL ENCOUNTER CENTER
A business or commercial enterprise that offers for any form of consideration physical contact in the form of wrestling or tumbling between persons of the opposite sex, or activities between male and female persons and/or persons of the same sex, when one or more of the persons is in a state of nudity, semi-nudity, or simulated nudity.
SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESS
An adult arcade, adult bookstore, adult cabaret, adult novelty store, adult motel, adult movie theater, adult service establishment, adult theater, adult video store, sex parlor, sexual encounter center, nude modeling studio or other commercial enterprise, or any combination thereof:
(1) 
A principal business of which is the offering of a service or the selling, renting or exhibiting of devices or any other items intended to provide sexual stimulation or sexual gratification to its customers, and which is distinguished by or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas; or
(2) 
Whose employees or customers appear in a state of nudity.
The term "sexually oriented business" shall not be construed to include:
(1)
Any business operated by or employing licensed psychologists, licensed physical therapists, registered massage therapists, registered nurses, or licensed athletic trainers engaged in practicing such licensed professions;
(2)
Any business operated by or employing licensed physicians or licensed chiropractors engaged in practicing the healing arts;
(3)
Any retail establishment whose principal business is the offering of wearing apparel for sale to customers and which does not exhibit merchandise on live models; or
(4)
Any activity conducted or sponsored by any Texas independent school district, licensed or accredited private school, or public or private college or university.
SIMULATED NUDITY
A state of dress in which any device or covering is worn and exposed to view that simulates any part of the genitals, buttocks, anus, pubic region, or areola of the female breast.
SPECIFIED ANATOMICAL AREAS
Human genitals, pubic regions, buttocks and female breast below a point immediately above the top of the areola.
SPECIFIED SEXUAL ACTIVITIES
(1) 
The fondling or other erotic touching of human genitals, pubic region, pubic hair, perineum, buttocks, anus, or female breasts;
(2) 
Sex acts, normal or perverted, actual or simulated, including intercourse, oral copulation, sodomy, or bestiality;
(3) 
Masturbation, actual or simulated; or
(4) 
Excretory functions.
(Ord. No. B-717, § 1(12-123), 6-10-2004)
(a) 
A person commits an offense if he establishes, operates or causes to be operated, or expands a sexually oriented business within 1,000 feet of any of the following uses or locations within the city limits or extraterritorial jurisdiction of the city:
(1) 
A religious institution;
(2) 
A public or private elementary or secondary school or licensed day-care center;
(3) 
A boundary of a residential district;
(4) 
A public park;
(5) 
A public library;
(6) 
The property line of a lot devoted to a residential use as defined in this article; or
(7) 
Another sexually oriented business.
(b) 
A person commits an offense if he establishes, operates or causes to be operated, or expands a sexually oriented business within 500 feet of any right-of-way designated as an "arterial" or "freeway-controlled access" roadway by the City of Burleson Thoroughfare Plan.
(c) 
A person commits an offense if he establishes, operates or causes to be operated a sexually oriented business in any building; structure or portion thereof containing another sexually oriented business.
(d) 
For the purposes of subsection (A) above, measurement shall be made in a straight line, without regard to intervening structures or objects, from the nearest portion of the building or structure used as part of the premises where a sexually oriented business is conducted, to the nearest property line of the premises of a use listed in subsections (a)(1)(7) of this section.
(Ord. No. B-717, § 1(12-124), 6-10-2004)
(a) 
Any sexually oriented business that is in violation of section 14-474 or any other location requirement of any other city ordinances, that was legally operating on the effective date of adoption or amendment of such ordinance or regulation, shall be deemed a nonconforming use and the provisions of the Burleson Zoning Ordinance as amended shall apply, except if two or more sexually oriented businesses are within 1,000 feet of each other, or are located in the same building or structure, and otherwise in a permissible location, the sexually oriented business that was first established and continually operating as a sexually oriented business at a particular location (regardless of which business was first located in the city), even if operating under a different name, ownership, or selling different sexually oriented merchandise or services, is the conforming use and the later-established business is nonconforming.
(b) 
The provisions of this section shall also apply to legally operating sexually oriented businesses made nonconforming by annexation into the city limits.
(c) 
Any sexually oriented business that is lawfully operating within the city as a conforming use on or after June 24, 2004, shall not be rendered a nonconforming use by the subsequent location of a protected use listed in subsection 14-474(a) within 1,000 feet of the sexually oriented business.
(d) 
Nonconforming sexually oriented businesses shall be subject to amortization under the procedures set forth in the Burleson Zoning Ordinance as amended.
(e) 
Notwithstanding anything contained in this article or in the Burleson Zoning Ordinance as amended to the contrary, a nonconforming sexually oriented business shall be required to meet all applicable requirements of this article except locational requirements established by section 14-474 within 60 days of the date that it becomes nonconforming. The zoning board of adjustment may grant a nonconforming sexually oriented business an extension if the business shows, upon written application, that meeting these requirements within 60 days imposes an unnecessary hardship on the business.
(f) 
Legal nonconforming sexually oriented businesses shall not be increased, enlarged, extended or altered except that the use may be changed to a use other than a sexually oriented business to the extent allowed by the Burleson Zoning Ordinance. A person commits an offense if he increases, enlarges, extends or alters, or causes to be increased, enlarged, extended or altered a nonconforming sexually oriented business.
(Ord. No. B-717, § 1(12-125), 6-10-2004)
(a) 
A person commits an offense if he operates or causes to be operated a sexually oriented business without a valid sexually oriented business license or nonconforming sexually oriented business license, issued by the city for the particular type of business.
(b) 
The applicant must be qualified according to the provisions of this article.
(c) 
The fact that a person possesses other types of state or city permits or licenses does not exempt the person from the requirement of obtaining a license for a sexually oriented business.
(Ord. No. B-717, § 1(12-126), 6-10-2004; Ord. No. B-717(A0114), § 2, 2-3-2014)
(a) 
Any person desiring to obtain a sexually oriented business license shall make application on a form provided by the chief of police. The application must:
(1) 
Be accompanied by a diagram of the premises showing a plan of the premises, specifying the location of all overhead lighting fixtures, designating any portion of the premises in which customers will not be permitted, and specifying the location of all manager's stations, if applicable. The diagram shall designate the place at which the license will be conspicuously displayed, if granted. A professionally prepared diagram in the nature of an engineer's or architect's blueprint shall not be required; however, each diagram should be oriented to the north or to some designated street or object and should be drawn to a designated scale or with marked dimensions sufficient to show the various internal dimensions of all areas of the interior of the premises to an accuracy of plus or minus six inches;
(2) 
Contain all information required pursuant to section 14-478 and be supported by any necessary documentation;
(3) 
Include a current list of all employees or prospective employees, along with copies of complete updated employment application, valid driver's license, state identification card, or passport containing a photograph of the employee;
(4) 
Contain any other information requested by the chief of police in order to assist the chief in deciding whether to grant the license; and
(5) 
Be sworn to be true and correct by the applicant.
(b) 
If a person who wishes to operate a sexually oriented business is an individual, he must sign the application for a license as applicant. If a person who wishes to operate a sexually oriented business is other than an individual, each individual who has a 20 percent or greater interest in the business must sign the application for a license as applicant. Each applicant must be qualified under section 14-478 and each applicant shall be considered a licensee if a license is granted.
(c) 
All applications for a license under this article shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee as established by the City of Burleson Fee Schedule. An application shall not be considered to have been filed until the fee is paid and all information required by the application form has been submitted.
(d) 
An application for a license or permit issued under section 14-478 for a location not previously licensed shall, not later than the sixtieth day before the date the application is filed, prominently post an outdoor sign at the location stating that a sexually oriented business is intended to be located on the premises and providing the name and business address of the applicant. The sign must be at least 24 by 36 inches in size and must be written in lettering at least two inches in size. The sign shall be in both English and Spanish.
(Ord. No. B-717, § 1(12-127), 6-10-2004)
(a) 
The chief of police shall approve the issuance of a license to an applicant within 30 days after filing of an application unless the chief of police finds one or more of the following to be true:
(1) 
The location of the sexually oriented business is or will be in violation of section 14-474 and no exemption has been granted under section 14-495.
(2) 
The applicant failed to supply all of the information requested on the application.
(3) 
The applicant gave false, fraudulent, or untruthful information on the application.
(4) 
An applicant is under 18 years of age.
(5) 
An applicant or an applicant's spouse is overdue in payment to the city of taxes, fees, fines, or penalties assessed against or imposed upon the applicant or the applicant's spouse in relation to a sexually oriented business.
(6) 
An applicant or an applicant's spouse has been convicted of a violation of a provision of this article, other than the offense of operating a sexually oriented business without a license, within two years immediately preceding the application. The fact that a conviction is being appealed shall have no effect on the denial of a license.
(7) 
The application or renewal fee required by this article has not been paid.
(8) 
The applicant has not demonstrated that the owner of the sexually oriented business owns or holds a lease for the property or the applicable portion thereof within which the sexually oriented business will be situated or has a legally enforceable right to acquire the same.
(9) 
An applicant or the proposed establishment is in violation of or is not in compliance with section 14-480 or section 14-485.
(10) 
An applicant or an applicant's spouse has been convicted of a crime
a. 
Involving:
1. 
Any of the following offenses as described in V.T.C.A., Penal Code ch. 43:
i. 
Prostitution;
ii. 
Promotion of prostitution;
iii. 
Aggravated promotion of prostitution;
iv. 
Compelling prostitution;
v. 
Obscenity;
vi. 
Sale, distribution, or display of harmful material to a minor;
vii. 
Sexual performance by a child;
viii. 
Possession of child pornography;
2. 
Any of the following offenses as described in V.T.C.A., Penal Code ch. 21:
i. 
Public lewdness;
ii. 
Indecent exposure;
iii. 
Indecency with a child;
3. 
Sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault as described in V.T.C.A., Penal Code ch. 22;
4. 
Incest (prohibited sexual conduct), enticing a child, or harboring a runaway child as described in V.T.C.A., Penal Code, ch. 25;
5. 
Possession or distribution of a controlled substance; or
6. 
Criminal attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit any of the foregoing offenses; and
b. 
For which:
1. 
Less than two years have elapsed since the date of conviction, or the date of release from the terms of probation, parole, or deferred adjudication, or the date of release from confinement imposed for the conviction, whichever is the later date, if the conviction is of a misdemeanor offense;
2. 
Less than five years have elapsed since the date of conviction, or the date of release from the terms of probation, parole, or deferred adjudication, or the date of release from confinement for the conviction, whichever is the later date, if the conviction is of a felony offense; or
3. 
Less than five years have elapsed since the date of the last conviction or the date of release from confinement for the last conviction, whichever is the later date, if the convictions are of two or more misdemeanor offenses or combination of misdemeanor offenses occurring within any two-year period.
4. 
(For an existing business) the business is in violation of any other applicable requirement of this article.
c. 
The fact that a conviction of the applicant or applicant's spouse is being appealed shall have no effect on the disqualification.
d. 
The license, if granted, shall state on its face the name of the person or persons to whom it is granted, the expiration date, and the address of the sexually oriented business.
e. 
The license shall be posted in a conspicuous place at or near the entrance to the sexually oriented business so that it may be easily read at any time.
(Ord. No. B-717, § 1(12-128), 6-10-2004)
(a) 
Notwithstanding anything contained in this article to the contrary, the chief of police shall issue a nonconforming sexually oriented business license to a nonconforming sexually oriented business under section 14-475 if the chief of police finds:
(1) 
A proper application for a license has been made in accordance with this article;
(2) 
The applicant would qualify for a license under the provisions of subsections 14-478(a)(1) through (10);
(3) 
The sexually oriented business is a nonconforming use under the provisions of section 14-475;
(4) 
The building in which the applicant proposes to locate the sexually oriented business:
a. 
Is not an unsafe structure as defined by Section 108.1.1 of the International Property Maintenance Code, as amended;
b. 
Does not contain unsafe equipment as defined by Section 108.1.2 of the International Property Maintenance Code, as amended.
(5) 
The sexually oriented business complies with all other requirements of this article.
(b) 
A nonconforming sexually oriented business license issued under this section shall be subject to expiration, suspension, revocation, appeal, transfer and all other requirements of this article that are applicable to sexually oriented business licenses.
(c) 
The issuance of a nonconforming sexually oriented business license shall not be deemed to make the sexually oriented business a legal use or to grant any other rights or waivers other than to allow the nonconforming sexually oriented business to operate in compliance with subsection 14-475(a).
(Ord. No. B-717, § 1(12-129), 6-10-2004)
(a) 
An applicant or licensee shall permit representatives of the police department, health department, fire marshal's office, and building inspections division to inspect the premises of a sexually oriented business for the purpose of insuring compliance with the law, at any time during the 30-day application period or after it is occupied or open for business. The provisions of this section do not apply to areas of an adult motel which are currently being rented by a customer for use as a permanent or temporary habitation.
(b) 
A person who operates a sexually oriented business or his agent or employee commits an offense if he refuses to permit a lawful inspection of the premises or of the records required by this article by a representative of the police department, health department, fire department, or building inspections division at any time during the 30-day application period or after it is occupied or open for business.
(c) 
A person who operates a sexually oriented business or his agent or employee commits an offense if he operates the establishment without maintaining on the premises a current list of all employees employed by the business, along with a complete updated employment application. Each employment application shall include a copy of a valid driver's license, state identification card, or passport, all with a photo. Such records shall be available for inspection by the city representatives listed in subsection (a) of this section.
(Ord. No. B-717, § 1(12-130), 6-10-2004)
(a) 
Each license shall expire one year from the date of issuance.
(b) 
A license may be renewed by submission to the chief of police of an application on the form prescribed by the chief of police and payment of a nonrefundable renewal processing fee as established by the City of Burleson Fee Schedule.
(c) 
Application for renewal shall be made at least 30 days before the expiration date of the license. If application is made less than 30 days before the expiration date and the new license is granted after the expiration of the previous license, the new license shall still expire in one year from the previous expiration date.
(Ord. No. B-717, § 1(12-131), 6-10-2004; Ord. No. B-717(A0114), § 3, 2-3-2014)
(a) 
The chief of police shall suspend a license for a period not to exceed 30 days if he determines that a licensee or an employee or spouse of a licensee:
(1) 
Has violated or is not in compliance with section 14-480;
(2) 
Is in a state of intoxication while on the sexually oriented business premises;
(3) 
Knowingly permits gambling by any person on the sexually oriented business premises; or
(4) 
Is delinquent in payment to the city for taxes, fees, fines, or penalties assessed against or imposed on the licensee or the licensee's employee or spouse in relation to a sexually oriented business.
(b) 
When the chief of police is authorized to suspend a license under this section, he shall give the licensee the opportunity to pay a reinstatement fee as established by the City of Burleson Fee Schedule rather than have the license suspended. In addition to and included as a part of the reinstatement fee, a licensee whose license is suspended for a violation of subsection (a)(4) must pay all delinquent taxes, fees, fines, or penalties before the license will be reinstated.
(1) 
Payment of this reinstatement fee shall be considered an administrative admission of the violation. However, this shall not be used as an admission of guilt in a criminal prosecution under this article.
(2) 
If the licensee does not pay the reinstatement fee before the expiration of the third working day after notification, he loses the opportunity to pay it and the chief of police shall impose the suspension.
(3) 
Each day in which a violation is permitted to continue shall constitute a separate cause for suspension.
(Ord. No. B-717, § 1(12-132), 6-10-2004)
(a) 
The chief of police shall revoke a license if a cause of suspension in section 14-482 occurs and the license has been suspended or a reinstatement fee paid within the preceding 12 months.
(b) 
The chief of police shall revoke a license if he determines that:
(1) 
One or more statements contained in subsection 14-478(a) is true;
(2) 
The licensee violated or is not in compliance with section 14-474 or 14-485;
(3) 
The licensee or an employee of the licensee knowingly allowed possession, use, or sale of a controlled substance on the sexually oriented business premises;
(4) 
The licensee or an employee of the licensee knowingly allowed prostitution on the sexually oriented business premises;
(5) 
The licensee or an employee of the licensee knowingly operated the sexually oriented business during a period of time when the licensee's license was suspended;
(6) 
On two or more occasions within a 12-month period, an employee of the licensee committed in or on the sexually oriented business premises an offense listed in subsection 14-478(a)(10) for which a conviction or a deferred adjudication or other form of probation has been obtained; or
(7) 
The licensee or an employee of the licensee knowingly allowed any act of sexual intercourse, sodomy, oral copulation, masturbation, or sexual contact to occur in or on the sexually oriented business premises. The term "sexual contact" shall have the same meaning as it is defined in V.T.C.A., Penal Code § 21.01.
(c) 
The fact that a conviction is being appealed shall have no effect on the revocation of the license.
(d) 
Subsection 14-483(b)(7) does not apply to adult motels as a ground for revoking the license unless the licensee or employee knowingly allowed the act of sexual intercourse, sodomy, oral copulation, masturbation, or sexual contact to occur in a public place or within public view.
(e) 
When the chief of police revokes a license, the revocation shall continue for one year and the licensee shall not be issued a sexually oriented business license for one year from the date revocation became effective. If, subsequent to revocation, the chief of police finds that the basis for the revocation has been corrected or abated, the applicant may be granted a license if at least 90 days have elapsed since the date the revocation became effective. If the license was revoked under subsection 14-483(b)(1) for an offense listed in subsection 14-478(a)(10) for which the time period required has not elapsed, an applicant may not be granted another license until the appropriate number of years required under subsection 14-478(a)(10) has elapsed.
(Ord. No. B-717, § 1(12-133), 6-10-2004)
(a) 
If the chief of police is authorized to deny the issuance of a license, or suspend or revoke a license as provided in this article, the chief of police shall give written notice to the applicant or licensee of such intention and the basis for the denial, suspension, or revocation.
(1) 
The notice of intent shall provide that the denial of issuance, or the suspension or revocation shall be effective at the expiration of the third working day after the chief of police gave the notification, unless the applicant or licensee provides a written response to the chief of police before the expiration of the third working day.
(2) 
If the chief of police receives a timely written response from the applicant or licensee, the denial of issuance, or the suspension or revocation will be stayed pending a final decision by the chief of police.
(b) 
The chief of police may request from the applicant or licensee any additional information necessary to finally decide whether to deny, suspend, or revoke a license.
(c) 
After reviewing the written response from and any additional information submitted by the applicant or licensee, the chief of police shall render a final written decision. The chief of police shall deliver this final decision to the applicant or licensee by hand delivery or by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the address provided on the application.
(d) 
The final decision by the chief of police shall be final and effective immediately.
(e) 
Upon receipt of written notice of denial, suspension, or revocation, the applicant or licensee shall have the right to appeal to district court. If the chief of police denies, suspends, or revokes the license because the location of the sexually oriented business is or would be in violation of the locational requirements of section 14-474, the applicant may request an exemption from the location appeal board pursuant to section 14-495.
(f) 
The appeal to district court must be filed within 30 days after:
(1) 
The applicant or licensee receives notice of the chief of police's decision; or
(2) 
The location appeal board denies the exemption.
(g) 
The licensee or applicant shall bear the burden of proof in court.
(Ord. No. B-717, § 1(12-134), 6-10-2004)
(a) 
A person commits an offense if he transfers his license to another person or operates a sexually oriented business under the authority of a license at any place other than the address designated in the application.
(b) 
A person commits an offense if he counterfeits, forges, changes, defaces, or alters a license.
(Ord. No. B-717, § 1(12-135), 6-10-2004; Ord. No. B-717(A0114), § 4, 2-3-2014)
(a) 
An employee of an adult cabaret while appearing in a state of nudity, semi-nudity, or simulated nudity commits an offense if he knowingly touches a customer or the clothing of a customer.
(b) 
A customer at an adult cabaret commits an offense if he knowingly touches an employee appearing in a state of nudity, semi-nudity, or simulated nudity.
(c) 
A licensee or employee of an adult cabaret commits an offense if he permits any customer access to an area of the premises not visible from the manager's station or not visible by a walkthrough of the premises without entering a closed area, excluding restrooms.
(Ord. No. B-717, § 1(12-136), 6-10-2004)
(a) 
A person commits an offense if he employs at an escort agency any person under the age of 18 years.
(b) 
A person commits an offense if he acts as an escort or agrees to act as an escort for any person under the age of 18 years.
(Ord. No. B-717, § 1(12-137), 6-10-2004; Ord. No. B-717(A0114), § 5, 2-3-2014)
(a) 
A person commits an offense if he employs at a nude modeling studio any person under the age of 18 years.
(b) 
A person under the age of 18 years commits an offense if he appears in a state of nudity, semi-nudity, or simulated nudity in or on the premises of a nude modeling studio.
(c) 
A person commits an offense if he appears in a state of nudity, semi-nudity, or simulated nudity, or knowingly allows another to appear in a state of nudity, semi-nudity, or simulated nudity, in an area of a nude modeling studio premises which can be viewed from the public right-of-way.
(d) 
A person commits an offense if he places or permits a bed, sofa, or mattress in any room on the premises of a nude modeling studio except that a sofa may be placed in a reception room open to the public.
(e) 
A licensee or employee of a nude modeling studio commits an offense if he permits any customer access to an area of the premises not visible from the manager's station or not visible by a walk through of the premises without entering a closed area, excluding restrooms.
(f) 
An employee of a nude modeling studio, while appearing in a state of nudity, semi-nudity or simulated nudity, commits an offense if he knowingly touches a customer or the clothing of a customer.
(g) 
A customer at a nude modeling studio commits an offense if he knowingly touches an employee appearing in a state of nudity, semi-nudity or simulated nudity.
(Ord. No. B-717, § 1(12-138), 6-10-2004)
(a) 
A person commits an offense if he knowingly allows a person under the age of 18 years to appear in a state of nudity, semi-nudity, or simulated nudity in or on the premises of an adult cabaret or adult motion picture theater.
(b) 
A person under the age of 18 years commits an offense if he knowingly appears in a state of nudity, semi-nudity, or simulated nudity in or on the premises of an adult cabaret or adult motion picture theater.
(c) 
It is a defense to prosecution under subsections (a) and (b) of this section if the person under 18 years was in a restroom not open to public view or to persons of the opposite sex.
(Ord. No. B-717, § 1(12-139), 6-10-2004)
(a) 
Evidence that a sleeping room in a hotel, motel, or similar commercial establishment has been rented and vacated two or more times in a period of time that is less than ten hours creates a rebuttable presumption that the establishment is an adult motel as that term is defined in this article.
(b) 
A person commits an offense if, as the person in control of a sleeping room in a hotel, motel, or similar commercial establishment that does not have a sexually oriented business license, he rents or subrents a sleeping room to a person and, within ten hours from the time the room is rented, he rents or subrents the same sleeping room again.
(c) 
For purposes of subsection (b), above, the terms "rent" or "subrent" mean the act of permitting a room to be occupied for any form of consideration.
(Ord. No. B-717, § 1(12-140), 6-10-2004)
A person who operates or causes to be operated a sexually oriented business other than an adult motel, which exhibits on the premises in a viewing room of less than 150 square feet of floor space, a film, video cassette, or other video reproduction which depicts specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas, shall comply with the following requirements:
(1) 
Upon application for a sexually oriented business license, the application shall be accompanied by a diagram of the premises as required by subsection 14-477(a)(1). The diagram shall show the location of the manager's stations. A manager's station shall not exceed 32 square feet of floor area.
(2) 
No alteration in the configuration or location of a manager's station may be made without the prior approval of the chief of police or his designee.
(3) 
The licensee commits an offense if he permits a manager's station to be unattended by an employee at any time a customer is present on the premises.
(4) 
The interior of the premises shall be configured in such a manner that there is an unobstructed view from a manager's station of every area of the premises to which any customer is permitted access for any purpose, excluding restrooms. Restrooms may not contain video reproduction equipment. If the premises has two or more manager's stations designated, then the interior of the premises shall be configured in such a manner that there is an unobstructed view of each area of the premises to which any customer is permitted access for any purpose, excluding restrooms, from at least one of the manager's stations. The view required in this subsection must be by direct line of sight from the manager's station.
(5) 
The licensee commits an offense if he permits access to a customer of any area of the premises that is not visible from the manager's station for any purpose, excluding restrooms.
(6) 
The owners, operator, and any agents and employees present on the premises shall ensure that the view area, specified in subsection (5) above, remains unobstructed by any doors, walls, merchandise, display racks, or other materials at all times when any customer is present in the premises; and, shall ensure that no customer is permitted access to any area of the premises which has been designated as an area in which customers will not be permitted in the application filed pursuant to subsection (1), above.
(Ord. No. B-717, § 1(12-141), 6-10-2004)
(a) 
Public and employee restrooms in a sexually oriented business shall not, at any time, contain or be used for sexually oriented business activity, video reproduction equipment, or sexually oriented merchandise.
(b) 
An adult arcade, adult bookstore, adult video store, adult novelty store, adult service establishment, adult cabaret, adult theater, adult motion picture theater, nude modeling studio, sex parlor, and sexual encounter center shall at all times maintain at least one legible sign posted in a conspicuous place at each public entrance easily visible by all persons prior to entry into the establishment with lettering of at least one inch in height in English and Spanish which contains the following statement:
"THIS IS A SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT WHICH REGULARLY FEATURES [description of the type of activity licensed to be conducted]. IF NUDITY OR ACTIVITY OF A SEXUAL NATURE OFFENDS YOU, DO NOT ENTER. NO PERSONS UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE ALLOWED ENTRY.
(c) 
The premises of any sexually oriented business shall be equipped with overhead lighting fixtures of sufficient intensity to illuminate every place to which customers are permitted access at an illumination of not less than 20 foot-candles measured at ground level.
(d) 
During hours of darkness when a sexually oriented business is in operation, all required parking and all outdoor areas to which pedestrians have access on the premises of the sexually oriented business shall be lighted to an intensity of not less than five foot-candles measured at ground level.
(e) 
No models, mannequins, pictures, drawings, sketches, or other live or simulated, pictorial or graphic displays of nudity or simulated nudity shall be allowed in a manner that is visible to the public from any street, sidewalk, or other public place.
(f) 
It shall be an offense for any person maintaining, owning, or operating a sexually oriented business to serve or offer for sale for consumption on or off the premises, alcoholic beverages.
(g) 
It shall be unlawful for any person, including employees and patrons while on the premises of a sexually oriented business, to possess, serve, offer for sale or consume alcoholic beverages.
(h) 
The licensee commits an offense if he violates of this section.
(Ord. No. B-717, § 1(12-142), 6-10-2004; Ord. No. B-717(A0114), § 6, 2-3-2014)
(a) 
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined an amount not to exceed $2,000.00 for each offense affecting zoning, fire safety or public health and sanitation, and $500.00 for all other offenses. Each day that a violation is permitted to exist shall constitute a separate offense.
(b) 
Except where a mental element is specifically required by this article, it is the city's intention to dispense with any mental element from the definition of any prohibited act, offense, or misdemeanor in this article for which the punishment is by a fine not exceeding $500.00 or whenever in this article the doing of any act is required or the failure to do any act is declared to be unlawful and the punishment is by a fine not exceeding $500.00. Except where a mental element is specifically required by this article, no culpable mental state will be required to prove such a violation of this article.
(c) 
The penalty provided herein shall be cumulative of other remedies provided by state law and the power of injunction as provided in V.T.C.A., Local Government Code §§ 54.02 and 243.010 may be exercised in enforcing this article, whether or not a complaint has been filed.
(Ord. No. B-717, § 1(12-143), 6-10-2004)
It is a defense to prosecution under sections 14-474, 14-476, and 14-488 that a person appearing in a state of nudity, semi-nudity, or simulated nudity did so in a modeling class operated:
(a) 
By a proprietary school licensed by the state; a college, junior college, or university supported entirely or partly by taxation;
(b) 
By a private college or university which maintains and operates educational programs in which credits are transferable to a college, junior college, or university supported entirely or partly by taxation; or
(c) 
In a structure:
(1) 
Which has no sign or other advertising visible from the exterior of the structure indicating a nude, semi-nude or simulated nude person is available for viewing;
(2) 
Where in order to participate in a class a student must enroll at least three days in advance of the class; and
(3) 
Where no more than one nude, semi-nude or simulated nude model is on the premises at any one time.
(Ord. No. B-717, § 1(12-144), 6-10-2004)
(a) 
The zoning board of adjustment shall serve as a location appeal board, and shall have the power to rule on the appropriate disposition of applications for exemptions from the location restrictions for sexually oriented businesses set forth in section 14-474. The location appeal board shall follow the rules and procedures set forth in this section.
(b) 
If the chief of police denies the issuance of a license to an applicant because the location of the sexually oriented business is in violation of section 14-474, then the applicant may, not later than ten calendar days after receiving notice of the denial, file with the city secretary a written request for an exemption from the location restrictions.
(c) 
If the written request is filed with the city secretary within the ten-day limit, a location appeal board shall consider the request. The city secretary shall set a date for the hearing within 60 days from the date the written request is received.
(d) 
A hearing by the board may proceed only if five of the board members or alternates are present. The board shall hear and consider evidence offered by any interested person. The formal rules of evidence do not apply.
(e) 
The location appeal board may grant an exemption from the location restrictions of section 14-474 if it makes the following findings:
(1) 
That the location of the sexually oriented business will not have a detrimental effect on nearby properties or be contrary to the public safety or welfare;
(2) 
That the location of the sexually oriented business will not downgrade the property values or quality of life in the adjacent areas or encourage the development of urban blight;
(3) 
That the location of the sexually oriented business in the area will not be contrary to any program of neighborhood conservation nor will it interfere with any efforts of urban renewal or restoration; and
(4) 
That all other applicable provisions of this article will be observed.
(f) 
In making the findings specified in subsection 14-495(e), the board shall take into account, among other things:
(1) 
Crime statistics of the location and its 1,000 foot radius, without regard to city boundaries, maintained by the appropriate law enforcement agency for the previous six-month period;
(2) 
Johnson and/or Tarrant County Appraisal District appraisals for the location and its 1,000 foot radius, without regard to city boundaries, taking into account any decline or increase in property values;
(3) 
Vacancy rates of residential, commercial, or office space within the surrounding 1,000-foot radius, without regard to city boundaries; and
(4) 
Any evidence regarding the award or denial of any public or private grants for neighborhood conservation, urban renewal, or restoration for any property located within an 800-foot radius, without regard to city boundaries.
(g) 
The board shall grant or deny the exemption by a majority vote. Failure to reach a majority vote approving the exemption shall result in denial of the exemption. Disputes of fact shall be decided on the basis of a preponderance of the evidence. The decision of the license appeal board is final.
(h) 
If the board grants the exemption, the exemption is valid for one year from the date of the board's action. Upon the expiration of an exemption, the sexually oriented business is in violation of the locational restrictions of section 14-474 until the applicant applies for and receives another exemption.
(i) 
The grant of an exemption does not exempt the applicant from any provisions of this article other than the location restrictions.
(Ord. No. B-717, § 1(12-145), 6-10-2004)
Sections 14-474 and 14-475 may be amended only after compliance with procedures required to amend a zoning ordinance. All other sections of this article may be amended by an ordinance approved by the city council.
(Ord. No. B-717, § 1(12-146), 6-10-2004)
It shall be unlawful and an offense for any person to violate or fail to comply with any provision hereof, whether or not such section contains the specific language that such violation or failure to comply is unlawful and is an offense.
(Ord. No. B-717, § 1(12-147), 6-10-2004)
If any article, section, sub-section, sentence or phrase of this article should be held to be invalid for any reason whatsoever, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions of this article which shall remain in full force and effect and to this end the provisions of this article are declared to be severable.
(Ord. No. B-717, § 1(12-148), 6-10-2004)
This article shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and publication as provided by law.