"Escort"
shall mean:
1.
Any person who, for hire or reward, accompanies others to or
about social affairs, entertainment or places of amusement;
2.
Any person who, for hire or reward, consorts with others about
any place of public resort or within any private quarters.
"Escort bureau"
shall mean any business or agency which, for a fee, commission,
hire, reward or profit furnishes or offers to furnish escorts.
(Prior code § 5-2.42(a))
Prior to engaging in the operation of the business described in Section
5.16.010, all such businesses shall have a valid business license issued by the City. Such businesses now lawfully licensed shall be required, as a condition of renewal of said license, to obtain a permit as hereinafter required.
(Prior code § 5-2.42(b))
The license and permit procedure requirements of this title
do not apply to the lawful business of any employment office or employment
agency licensed under State law which does not conduct an escort bureau.
(Prior code § 5-2.42(c))
Each application for a permit to conduct an escort bureau shall
state the names and addresses of all escorts employed by or intended
to be employed by the applicant.
(Prior code § 5-2.42(d))
A permit to conduct an escort bureau shall not be issued to
or in the name of any organization, group, corporation, partnership
or any other entity other than individual.
(Prior code § 5-2.42(e))
The business may be carried on under a fictitious name in the
manner provided by law if the Sheriff first approves of the use of
such name, and if the name is recorded pursuant to the provisions
of Section 2466 of the
Civil Code.
(Prior code § 5-2.42(f))
The Sheriff, after investigation, shall report to the City Council
as to whether the applicant for a license to conduct an escort bureau
is of good moral character and reputation, the business is to be conducted
at a suitable place, is calculated or intended to be operated as a
subterfuge for the conduct of an unlawful or immoral business or practice.
The results of said investigation shall be endorsed on said
report and returned to the City Manager, who upon payment of license
and permit fees, shall set the matter for hearing before the City
Council and shall notify the applicant of the date of such hearing
at least 10 days prior to said hearing date.
(Prior code § 5-2.42(g))
Escort bureau establishments shall be located only in areas
with a C-G zoning classification.
(Prior code § 5-2.42(h))
Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, all fees applicable
to this chapter, excluding business license taxes and fees, will be
established by City Council resolution. Such charges will be determined
by the department and be based on the actual cost incurred by the
City in providing services. Such service charges will include, without
limitation, charges for labor, supervision, overhead, administration
and the use of any and all City equipment, and supplies.
(Prior code § 5-2.42(i); Ord. 1336 § 3, 5/8/17)
No permit issued under this chapter shall be transferable except
by the consent of the City Council.
(Prior code § 5-2.42(j))
Except as provided in this chapter, the City Council, after
investigation and hearing of the application and of the business proposed
to be conducted, may grant or refuse to grant a permit. The City Council
shall have the right to refuse any such permit if it shall determine
that the granting of the same or the conduct of the business will
be contrary to the preservation of the public peace, health, safety,
morals or welfare of the City or its inhabitants. If such permit is
granted, the City Council may impose such terms, conditions and restrictions
upon the operation and conduct of such business, not in conflict with
any law, as it may deem necessary or expedient to protect the public
peace, safety, morals, or welfare of the City or its inhabitants.
If a permit is denied the license fee paid shall be refunded; the
permit fee shall not be refunded.
(Prior code § 5-2.42(k))