It is the purpose of this chapter to regulate sexually oriented
businesses in order to promote the health, safety, morals, and general
welfare of the citizens of the city. The provisions of this chapter
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 chapter 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. Neither is it the intent nor effect of this
chapter to condone or legitimize the distribution of obscene material.
(Ord. 1083 § 3, 1997)
As used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall
be defined as follows, unless it is clearly apparent from the context
that another meaning is intended:
"Applicant"
means a person who is required to file an application for
a permit under this chapter, including an individual owner, managing
partner, officer of a corporation, or any other operator, manager,
employee, or agent of a sexually oriented business.
"Distinguished or characterized by an emphasis upon"
means and refers to the dominant or essential theme of the
object described by such phrase. For instance, when the phrase refers
to films "which are distinguished or characterized by an emphasis
upon" the depiction or description of specified sexual activities
or specified anatomical areas, the films so described are those whose
dominant or predominant character and theme are the depiction of the
enumerated sexual activities or anatomical areas.
"Figure model"
means any person who, for pecuniary compensation, consideration,
hire or reward, poses in a modeling studio to be observed, sketched,
painted, drawn, sculptured, photographed or otherwise depicted.
"Nude," "nudity" or "state of nudity"
means the showing of the human male or female genitals, pubic
area, or anus region with less than a fully opaque covering, the showing
of the female breast with less than a fully opaque covering of any
part of the nipple, or the showing of the covered male genitals in
a discernible turgid state.
"Operate a sexually oriented business"
means the supervising, managing, inspecting, directing, organizing,
controlling or in any way being responsible for or in charge of the
conduct of activities of a sexually oriented business or activities
within a sexually oriented business.
"Permittee"
means any person in whose name a sexually oriented business
or performer permit has been issued, as well as the individual(s)
listed as an applicant(s) on the application for a permit.
"Person"
means any individual, proprietorship, partnership, corporation,
association, or other legal entity.
"Regularly features,"
with respect to a sexually oriented theater or sexually oriented
cabaret, means a regular and substantial course of conduct.
The fact that live performances or features which are distinguished
or characterized by an emphasis upon the display of specified anatomical
areas or specified sexual activities occurs on two or more occasions
within a thirty-day period; three or more occasions within a sixty-day
period; or four or more occasions within a one hundred eighty-day
period, shall to the extent permitted by law be deemed to be a regular
and substantial course of conduct.
"Semi-nude"
means a state of dress in which clothing covers no more than
the genitals, pubic area, anus region, areola of the female breast,
as well as portions of the body covered by supporting straps or devices.
"Sexually oriented businesses"
means any establishment that has twenty percent or more of
its stock in trade which is distinguished or characterized by an emphasis
upon the depiction or description of specified sexual activities and/or
specified anatomical areas, or any establishment which offers to its
patrons services or entertainment distinguished or characterized by
an emphasis upon the depiction or description of specified sexual
activities or specified anatomical areas. Sexually oriented businesses
include, but are not limited to, the following:
1.
"Sexually oriented arcade"
means an establishment where, for any form of consideration,
one or more still or motion picture projectors, or other similar machines
or technology, for viewing by five or fewer persons each, regularly
features and are used to show films, computer generated images, motion
pictures, video cassettes, slides or other photographic or electronic
reproductions which are distinguished or characterized by an emphasis
upon the depiction or description of specified sexual activities or
specified anatomical areas.
2.
"Sexually oriented bookstore"
means an establishment that has twenty percent or more of
its stock in trade books, magazines, periodicals or other printed
matter, or of photographs, films, motion pictures, video cassettes,
slides, tapes, records or other form of visual or audio representations
which are distinguished or characterized by an emphasis upon the depiction
or description of specified sexual activities and or specified anatomical
areas.
3.
"Sexually oriented cabaret"
means a nightclub, restaurant, or similar business establishment
which:
a.
Regularly features live performances which are distinguished
or characterized by an emphasis upon the display of specified anatomical
areas or specified sexual activities; and/or
b.
Which regularly features persons who appear semi-nude; and/or
c.
Shows films, computer generated images, motion pictures, video
cassettes, slides, or other photographic reproductions which are distinguished
or characterized by an emphasis upon the depiction or description
of specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas.
4.
"Sexually oriented hotel/motel"
means a hotel or motel or similar establishment offering
public accommodations for any form of consideration which:
a.
Provides patrons with closed-circuit television transmissions,
films, motion pictures, videos, slides, or other photographic or electronic
reproductions which are distinguished or characterized by an emphasis
upon the depiction or description of specified sexual activities or
specified anatomical areas; and which advertises the availability
of this sexually oriented type of material by means of a sign visible
from the public right-of-way, or by means of any off-premises advertising
including but not limited to, newspapers, magazines, pamphlets or
leaflets, radio or television; or
b.
Rents, leases, or lets any single guest room for less than a
ten hour period, or rents, leases, or lets any single guest room more
than twice in a twenty-four hour period; or
c.
Allows a tenant or occupant to sub-rent the sleeping room for
a time period of less than ten hours.
5.
"Sexually oriented modeling studio"
means an establishment which provides, for pecuniary compensation,
monetary or other consideration, hire or reward, figure models who,
for the purposes of sexual stimulation of patrons, display specified
anatomical areas to be observed, sketched, photographed, painted,
sculpted or otherwise depicted by persons paying such consideration.
"Modeling studio" does not include schools maintained pursuant to
standards set by the State Board of Education. "Modeling studio" further
does not include a studio or similar facility owned, operated, or
maintained by an individual artist or group of artists, and which
does not provide, permit, or make available "specified sexual activities."
6.
"Sexually oriented motion picture theater"
means an establishment which, for any form of consideration,
regularly features films, computer generated images, motion pictures,
video cassettes, slides or similar photographic or electronic reproductions
of which a substantial portion of the total presentation time is devoted
to the showing of material which is distinguished or characterized
by an emphasis upon the depiction or description of specified sexual
activities or specified anatomical areas.
7.
"Sexually oriented theater"
means an establishment which, for any form of consideration,
regularly features live performances which are distinguished or characterized
by an emphasis upon the display of specified anatomical areas or specified
sexual activities.
"Specified anatomical areas"
means and includes any of the following:
1.
Less than completely and opaquely covered human (i) genitals
or pubic region; (ii) anus region; and (iii) female breast below a
point immediately above the top of the areola;
2.
Human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state, even if completely
and opaquely covered;
3.
Any device, costume or covering that simulates any of the body
parts included in subdivision 1 or 2 of this subsection.
"Specified sexual activities"
means and includes any of the following, whether performed
directly or indirectly through clothing or other covering:
1.
The fondling or other erotic touching of human genitals, pubic
region, buttocks, anus, or female breast;
2.
Sex acts, actual or simulated, including intercourse, oral copulation,
or sodomy;
3.
Masturbation, actual or simulated; or
4.
Excretory functions as part of or in connection with any of
the other activities described in subdivisions 1 through 3 of this
subsection.
(Ord. 1083 § 3, 1997)
A sexually oriented business or performer permit may be suspended
or revoked in accordance with the procedures and standards of this
section.
A. On
determining that grounds for permit suspension or revocation exist,
the business license collector and administrator shall furnish written
notice of the proposed suspension or revocation to the permittee.
Such notice shall set forth the time and place of the hearing, and
the ground or grounds upon which the hearing is based, the pertinent
code sections, and a brief statement of the factual matters in support
thereof. The notice shall be mailed, certified mail return receipt
requested, addressed to the last known address of the permittee, or
shall be delivered to the permittee personally, at least ten days
prior to the hearing date. Hearings shall be conducted in accordance
with procedures established by the business license collector and
administrator, but at a minimum shall include the following:
1. All parties involved shall have a right to offer testimonial, documentary,
and tangible evidence bearing on the issues; may be represented by
counsel; and shall have the right to confront and cross-examine witnesses.
2. Any relevant evidence may be admitted that is the sort of evidence
upon which reasonable persons are accustomed to rely in the conduct
of serious affairs. Any hearing under this section may be continued
for a reasonable time for the convenience of a party or a witness.
B. After
an investigation, notice and hearing, the business license collector
and administrator may suspend or revoke an existing sexually oriented
business or performer permit, if based upon the evidence it is found
that one or more of the following conditions exist:
1. Any of the conditions set forth in Section 5.110.030(C)(4) or Section
5.110.040(C)(4) are found to be true.
2. The building, structure, equipment and location used by the business
fails to comply with the requirements or fails to meet the standards
of the health, zoning, fire, building and safety laws of the state
of California, or of the ordinances of the city of San Dimas. In the
event of such stature, code, ordinance or regulation violation, the
city, or its designee, shall allow the permittee a seven-working-day
period in which to correct the violation. If the permittee fails to
correct the violation before the expiration of the seven-working-day
period, the city, or its designee, shall forthwith suspend the permit
and shall notify the permittee of the suspension. The suspension shall
remain in effect until the violation has been corrected.
3. The permittee, operator, or any employee of the permittee or operator
has been convicted in a court of competent jurisdiction of any crime
in conjunction with or as a result of the operation of the subject
sexually oriented business or of any sex-related crime after the date
of issuance of the sexually oriented business permit for said business.
4. A sexually oriented business has been used as a place where sexual
intercourse, sodomy, oral copulation, masturbation, prostitution or
other lewd acts occur or have occurred.
5. The subject sexually oriented business has employed minors.
6. The permittee, operator, or any employee of the permittee or operator
has violated any provision of this chapter.
7. The permittee, operator, or any employee of the permittee or operator refused to allow the lawful inspection of the premises pursuant to Section
5.110.070.
8. The approved sexually oriented business has been expanded, or partially
or wholly converted, to another sexually oriented business without
the required city approvals or permits.
9. The approved sexually oriented business permit has not been utilized
within six months of its issuance, or the approved use has been discontinued
for a period of six months or more.
10. There have been two suspensions of the sexually oriented business
or performer permit within a one-year period.
11. The permittee or operator continued to operate the sexually oriented
business during a suspension period of the sexually oriented business
permit.
12. The permittee, operator, or any employee of the permittee or operator
has failed to abide by a disciplinary action previously imposed by
a city official.
C. After
holding the hearing in accordance with the provisions of this section,
if the business license collector and administrator finds and determines
that there are grounds for disciplinary action, based on the severity
of the violation, the business license collector and administrator
shall impose one of the following:
2. Suspension of the permit for a specified period not to exceed six
months;
3. Revocation of the permit.
D. Once
a permit is revoked, the revocation shall continue for one year and
the permittee shall not be issued a sexually oriented business or
performer permit for one year from the date the revocation became
effective. If, subsequent to revocation, the business license collector
and administrator finds that the basis for revocation under this chapter
has been corrected, the applicant shall be granted a permit if at
least ninety days have elapsed since the date revocation became effective.
If the permit was revoked for conviction(s) of a "specified criminal
act" as defined in Section 5.110.030(C)(4)(j) of this chapter, an
applicant may not be granted another permit until the number of years
required under Section 5.110.030(C)(4)(j) have elapsed.
(Ord. 1083 § 3, 1997)
Any person aggrieved by a decision of the business license collector
and administrator may file an appeal to the license and permit hearing
board; provided, that such appeal is filed within ten days after the
issuance of the decision of the business license collector and administrator.
The appeal shall contain a statement of the grounds for the appeal
and shall be accompanied by such fees and/or charges as may be provided
by resolution of the city council. The business license collector
and administrator shall thereafter set the matter for hearing within
thirty days of the receipt of such notice of appeal.
A decision of the license and permit hearing board may be appealed
to the city council provided that such appeal is filed within ten
days after the issuance of the decision of the license and permit
hearing board. The appeal shall contain a statement of the grounds
for the appeal and shall be accompanied by such fees and/or charges
as may be provided by resolution of the city council. The business
license collector and administrator shall forward the appeal to the
council, including any evidence upon which the decision was made.
At the first council meeting following receipt of the appeal by the
council, the council may, in its sole discretion, determine not to
hear the appeal or it may set the appeal for public hearing at the
following council meeting. Any determination not to hear the appeal
shall be final and effective immediately. Following any hearing held
by the council pursuant to this section, the council shall consider
all relevant evidence, including any such evidence relied upon by
the business license collector and administrator or license and permit
hearing board. The council may affirm, reverse or modify the decision
and shall give a written statement of the reason for the council's
determination. Any determination by the council shall be final and
effective immediately. The permittee may seek prompt judicial review
of such action pursuant to California
Code of Civil Procedure Section
1094.5. The city shall make all reasonable efforts to expedite judicial
review, if sought by permittee.
(Ord. 1083 § 3, 1997)
An applicant or permittee shall permit any police officer or
city official to inspect the premises of a sexually oriented business
for the purpose of insuring compliance with the law and the development
and performance standards applicable to their business, at any time
it is occupied or opened for business. A person who operates a sexually
oriented business or his or her agent or employee is in violation
of the provisions of this section if he/she refuses to permit such
lawful inspection of the premises at any time it is occupied or open
for business.
(Ord. 1083 § 3, 1997)
The provisions of the chapter regulating sexually oriented businesses
are not intended to be exclusive and compliance therewith shall not
excuse noncompliance with any other ordinances or regulations pertaining
to the operation of sexually oriented businesses as adopted by the
city council.
(Ord. 1083 § 3, 1997)
The city and its designee, the law enforcement agency and all
other departments and agencies and all other city officers, agents
and employees charge with enforcement of state and local laws and
codes shall be immune from prosecution, civil or criminal, for reasonable,
good faith trespass upon a sexually oriented business while acting
within the scope of authority conferred by this chapter.
(Ord. 1083 § 3, 1997)
In addition to the penalties set forth in Section
5.110.090 of this chapter, any sexually oriented business which is operating in violation of this chapter or any provision thereof is hereby declared to constitute a public nuisance, and as such, may be abated or enjoined from further operation.
(Ord. 1083 § 3, 1997)
If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence,
clause, or phrase in this chapter 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 chapter or any
part thereof. The city council hereby declares that it would have
passed each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence,
clause or phrases thereof irrespective of the fact that any one or
more section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause
or phrases be declared unconstitutional or invalid or ineffective.
(Ord. 1083 § 3, 1997)