For purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have
the following meanings:
"Escort"
shall mean:
(a)
Any person who, for compensation, acts as a companion to other
individuals, accompanying them to social affairs, places of entertainment,
amusement, places of public assembly, or within any private quarters,
located or situated within the City of West Hollywood;
(b)
Any person who, for compensation, acts as a companion to other
individuals, accompanying them in or about any business or commercial
establishment, or part or portion thereof, located or situated within
the city.
"Escort bureau"
shall mean any business establishment or agency which, for
financial compensation, furnishes, or offers to furnish, escorts.
"Introductory service"
shall mean a business which, for compensation, provides or
offers a service, the principal purpose of which is to aid individuals
to become socially acquainted or otherwise assist individuals to meet
for social purposes, or which provides information to individuals
about others for the purpose of facilitating their meeting.
(Prior code § 6351(a); Ord. 90-269 § 1, 1990)
This chapter shall not apply to the lawful business of any employment
office or employment agency licensed under state law.
(Prior code § 6351(b); Ord. 90-269 § 1, 1990)
In addition to the information prescribed by the Director, each
application for a business license for an escort bureau or introductory
service shall contain the following information:
1. The
names and addresses of all escorts and employees employed by or intended
to be employed by the applicant;
2. The
last two previous addresses of the applicant and each escort and employee;
3. The
business, occupation, or employment of the applicant, each escort,
and each employee for the last three years immediately preceding the
application;
4. The
height, weight, hair and eye color of the applicant, each escort and
each employee:
5. Photographs
and fingerprints of the applicant, each escort and each employee;
6. In
the event the applicant is not the owner of record of the real property
upon which the escort bureau or introductory service is or is to be
located, the application must be accompanied by a notarized statement
from the owner of record of the property acknowledging that an escort
bureau or introductory service is or will be located on the property.
In addition to furnishing such notarized statement, the applicant
shall furnish the name and address of the owner of record of the property,
as well as a copy of the lease or rental agreement pertaining to the
premises in which the escort bureau or introductory service is or
will be located;
7. A definition
of the service to be provided.
(Prior code § 6351(c); Ord. 269 § 1, 1990; Ord. 08-800 § 2, 2008)
1. Registration of Escorts and Employees.
(a) Every escort or employee of an escort service or an introductory
service shall register with the Sheriff and no escort bureau or introductory
service shall hire or employ any escort or employee who is not registered
with the Sheriff.
(b) Every escort bureau and introductory service shall, within twenty-four
hours, notify the Sheriff of every change in personnel of escorts
or employees.
2. Manager Required. Every escort bureau and introductory service
licensed pursuant to this chapter shall employ a manager to oversee
the orderly operation of the licensed activity at all hours during
which the bureau or service is open.
3. Age Restrictions.
(a) A person conducting an escort bureau shall not furnish any escort
to, or accept employment from, any patron, customer or person who
is under eighteen years of age, except at the special instance and
written request of the parent, guardian or other person in lawful
custody of the person upon whose behalf the escort service is engaged.
(b) A person conducting an introductory service shall not list or provide
any individuals, or their names or addresses, for purposes of introduction
or dating, who are less than eighteen years of age.
(c) A person who conducts an escort bureau or introductory service shall
not employ or provide as an escort or date any person under eighteen
years of age.
4. Record of Transactions.
(a) Every person managing an escort bureau or introductory service shall
keep a record of every transaction showing:
(1) The name of each escort employed, furnished or arranged for or the
names of any individuals introduced (as applicable);
(2) The name, address and telephone number of the patron or customer
for whom that escort was employed or the introduction made (as applicable);
(b) The licensee shall keep all such records open and available for the
inspection of the Sheriff, any one of his or her deputies, any police
officer, or any person authorized to enforce the provisions of this
code. The licensee shall deliver said records to the Sheriff upon
the Sheriff's written request.
(Prior code § 6351(d); Ord. 90-269 § 1, 1990; Ord. 17-1019 § 9, 2018)
1. At
the time of filing an application with the Director, the applicant
shall file and thereafter maintain with the city's Risk Manager a
good and sufficient bond in the aggregate sum of $5,000, running to
the city for the use and benefit of interested persons and parties,
executed by the applicant and two or more responsible sureties, or
a surety company authorized to do business in the state of California,
which surety company shall be approved by the city's Risk Manager.
2. Recovery for Damage. Any individual who sustains any injury
covered by the bond may, in addition to any other remedy at law which
the individual may have, bring an action in his or her own name upon
the said bond for the recovery of any damage sustained by that person.
Upon such action being commenced, such bond shall not be void upon
first recovery thereon but may be sued upon from time to time until
the whole of the penalty shall be exhausted.
3. Damages Covered. The bond shall protect patrons or customers
of the escort bureau or introductory service from damages arising
from any fraud or theft perpetrated by the owners, operators, escorts
or employees of such businesses as a result of the operation thereof.
(Prior code § 6351(e); Ord. 90-269 § 1, 1990; Ord. 08-800 § 2, 2008)
In addition to the grounds specified in Section
5.08.190,
a license to conduct an escort bureau or introductory service may be suspended or revoked if the Commission finds:
1. That
the licensee has committed or caused, permitted, encouraged or condoned
the Commission of any lewd act or any act of prostitution; or
2. That
the business has been conducted, in whole or in part, as a subterfuge
to facilitate or to conceal the conduct of any unlawful business or
practice.
(Prior code § 6351(f); Ord. 90-269 § 1, 1990)