HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 1277ORDINANCE NO. 1277
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM
DESERT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AMENDMENTS TO THE PALM
DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 5 (BUSINESS TAXES, LICENSES,
AND REGULATIONS) CHAPTERS 5.87 AND 5.90, AND TITLE 25
(ZONING) CHAPTERS 25.16, 25.28, 25.34, AND 25.99 PERTAINING TO
THE REGULATION OF MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS BASED UPON
ASSEMBLY BILL 1147
CASE NO: ZOA 14-351
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Palm Desert, California, did on
the 4th day of November, 2014, hold a duly noticed public hearing to consider the request by
the City of Palm Desert and recommended approval to the City Council to amend Title 25
Zoning Chapters 25.16, 25.28, 25.34, and 25.99; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, did on the 13tn
day of November, 2014, hold a duly noticed public hearing to consider the request by the
City of Palm Desert for approval of the above noted; and
WHEREAS, California Government Code, Section 65800 et seq. authorizes the City
of Palm Desert ("City") to adopt and administer zoning laws, ordinances, rules and
regulations by cities as a means of implementing the General Plan; and
WHEREAS, the California Constitution and Government Code Section 51030 et
seq., authorizes the City to regulate massage businesses by imposing reasonable
standards relative to the skill and experience of massage practitioners and reasonable
conditions on the operation of massage establishments; and
WHEREAS, in 2008, the Legislature adopted Senate Bill 731, which created the
California Massage Therapy Council, a state -organized nonprofit organization with
regulatory authority over the certification of massage practitioners throughout the State of
California; and,
WHEREAS, the City amended Chapters 5.87 and 5.90 of the Palm Desert Municipal
Code ("Code") to comply with the regulations set forth in Senate Bill 731; and
WHEREAS, Senate Bill 731 was widely criticized by local agencies as providing
massage businesses with almost unprecedented protection from local zoning and land use
authority, and interfering with local law enforcement efforts to close massage businesses
allowing prostitution and other illegal activities; and
WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 1147, signed recently by Governor Jerry Brown, was
created in response to criticism against Senate Bill 731 and allows local agencies to impose
reasonable zoning, business licensing, and health and safety requirements on massage
establishments; and
ORDINANCE NO. 1277
WHEREAS, the City wishes to amend portions of the Palm Desert Municipal Code
Titles 5 and 25 to ensure that the City regulates massage practitioners and massage
establishments in compliance with the provisions of AB 1147.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT SHALL BE ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of
Palm Desert, California, that the following sections of the Palm Desert Municipal Code are
hereby amended as follows:
SECTION 1: The City Council finds that the revisions to the Palm Desert Municipal
Code proposed by the above referenced ordinance are in the public interest and reasonably
related to the public welfare because they update the City's massage regulations in order
to: protect the public health from unskilled massage practitioners; to protect the public
morals from illegal prostitution; and to achieve community land use planning and economic
development goals established in the City of Palm Desert General Plan, while maintaining
compliance with California Assembly Bill 1147.
SECTION 2: Chapter 5.87 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code is hereby amended to
read in full as shown in Exhibit "A."
SECTION 3: Chapter 5.90 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code is hereby amended to
read in full as shown in Exhibit "B."
SECTION 4: Table 25.16-1 in Section 25.16.030 (Allowed Land Uses and Permit
Requirements) of the Palm Desert Municipal Code is hereby amended to add the following
rows under Retail, Service, and Office Uses in alphabetical order as recommended by the
Planning Commission:
Table 25.16-1: Use Matrix for Commercial and Industrial Districts
Commercial/Industrial District
(P=Permitted; A = Administrative Use
Permit; C Conditional Use Permit; N = Special
Not Permitted) Use
Provisions
OP C-1 PC- PC- PC- PC- SI PI
1 2 3 4
Retail, Service, and Office
Uses
Accessory massage P P N P P P N N 25.34.160
establishments
Independent stand-alone
massage establishments N P N P P N N N 25.34.160
SECTION 5: Section 25.28.040 (El Paseo Overlay District) of the Palm Desert
Municipal Code is hereby amended by adding the following language to item B.9. as
follows:
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"B. Permitted uses. The following retail/personal service uses shall be liberally
construed to be permitted uses within the El Paseo pedestrian commercial overlay:
9. Personal care/products shops and services (including barbering, cosmetology,
and accessory massage establishments)."
SECTION 6: Section 25.34.160 (Massage Establishments) of the Palm Desert
Municipal Code is hereby added as follows:
"25.34.160 Massage Establishments
A. No independent stand-alone massage establishment shall operate in any zone
other than the C-1 (excluding the El Paseo Overlay District), PC-2, and PC-3 zones.
B. No accessory massage establishment shall operate in any zone other than the C-
1, O.P., PC-2, PC-3, and PC-4 zones.
C. No independent stand-alone massage establishment shall operate within one
thousand (1,000) feet of any other stand-alone massage establishment. The measure of
reference distance in this subsection shall be a straight line from the nearest property line
containing the independent stand-alone massage establishment to the nearest property line
of another independent stand-alone massage establishment. All existing independent
stand-alone massage establishments will be allowed to continue business until such
business ceases to operate for more than thirty (30) days."
SECTION 7: Section 25.99.020 (Land Use Definitions) of the Palm Desert Municipal
Code is hereby amended to include the following definitions in alphabetical order:
"Accessory massage establishment. A certified massage establishment located
within a hotel, beauty salon, day spa, athletic club, chiropractors office, doctors office,
physical therapy office, or yoga or Pilates studio where revenue from massage services is
less than 50% of the total revenue of the hotel, beauty salon, day spa, athletic club, doctor
or chiropractor's office, or yoga or Pilates studio."
"Certified massage establishment. Any massage establishment where the only
persons employed or used by that establishment to provide massage services have current
and valid state certifications."
"Independent stand-alone massage establishment. Any certified massage
establishment where revenue from massage services exceeds 50% of the establishment's
total revenue."
SECTION 8: The City Council also finds that the amendments to Title 25 Zoning of
the Palm Desert Code are consistent with the City of Palm Desert General Plan in that the
proposed amendments preserve the commercial corridors. Highway 111 is the second
major retail corridor of the City, and while independent stand-alone massage
establishments can contribute to the positive development or economic vitality of the City,
an over -concentration of these businesses does not. The City's General Plan is to provide a
variety of retail and dining offerings in the commercial zones such as Highway 111 that
ORDINANCE NO. 1277
encourage pedestrian -friendly streetscapes that are open and inviting. Massage
establishments are a destination business, and when part of a shopping center, do not
attract the same pedestrian foot traffic since they tend to blackout their business windows to
provide a relaxing interior environment. AB 1147 allows the City to be more restrictive along
the City's commercial corridors and throughout the City in general, in support of the goals,
programs, and policies established in the Economic & Fiscal and Community Design
Elements of the General Plan. Staff believes the proposed amendments achieve the City's
overall goal, while keeping in compliance with AB 1147.
SECTION 9: If any section, subsection, clause or phrase of this Ordinance or any
part thereof is for any reason held to be invalid, unconstitutional, or unenforceable by the
decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of
the remaining portion of the Ordinance. The City Council declares that it would have passed
each section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase thereof, irrespective of
the fact that nay one or more section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase would be
declared invalid, unconstitutional or unenforceable.
SECTION 10: Pursuant to state and local environmental regulations, it has been
determined that the regulations encompassed in this Ordinance are not subject to the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity
will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the
environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of
the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has
no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
SECTION 11: The City Clerk of the City of Palm Desert, California, is hereby
directed to publish this Ordinance in the Desert Sun, a newspaper of general circulation,
published and circulated in the City of Palm Desert, California, and shall be in full force and
effective on January 1, 2015 after its adoption.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Palm
Desert, California, at its regular meeting held on the 11t1hday ofDecember 2014, by the
following vote, to wit:
AYES: HARNIR, JONATHAN, SPIEGEL, TANNER, and WEBER
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
SUSAN MARIE WEBER, MAYOR
ATTEST:
RA ELLE D. L SS5N, Ci Clerk
City of Palm Desert, California
�a- I -atf> (Lt
ORDINANCE NO. 1277
Exhibit "A"
Title 5 BUSINESS TAXES, LICENSES AND REGULATIONS
Chapter 5.87 MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS
5.87.010 Title.
This chapter shall be known as the "Massage Establishment Law of the City of Palm
Desert."
5.87.020 Authority.
This chapter is enacted pursuant to Chapter 6 Part 1 of Division 1 of Title 5 of the
Government Code of the state (commencing with Section 51030) with recognition of the
limitations imposed by Chapter 10.5 of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code of
the state (commencing with Section 4600).
5.87.030 Definitions.
Unless the particular provision or the context otherwise requires, the definitions and
provisions contained in this section shall govern the construction, meaning and application
of words and phrases used in this chapter:
"Accessory massage establishment" means a certified massage establishment located
within a hotel, beauty salon, day spa, athletic club, chiropractors office, doctors office,
physical therapy office, or yoga or Pilates studio where revenue from massage services is
less than 50% of the total revenue of the hotel, beauty salon, day spa, athletic club,
chiropractors office, doctors office, physical therapy office, or yoga or Pilates studio.
"Applicant" means an applicant for a massage establishment permit.
"California Massage Therapy Council" means the massage therapy organization formed
pursuant to California Business and Professions Code Section 4600 et seq., as amended,
and referred to as CAMTC herein.
"Certified massage establishment" means any establishment where the only persons
employed or used by that establishment to provide massage services have current and
valid state certifications, and the owner has a current massage establishment permit, and all
practioners and owners have a business licenses.
"Certified massage practitioner" means any person holding a current and valid state
certificate issued by the CAMTC pursuant to California Business and Professions Code
Section 4600 et seq., as amended, whether as a massage practitioner or massage
therapist, as defined therein.
ORDINANCE NO. 1277
"City manager" means the city manager of the city of Palm Desert, or designee.
"Communication device" means -any video'dr other type of camera device that is either
free standing or is temporarily or permanently mounted to a fixed surface indoors or ""'
outdoors.
"Independent stand-alone massage establishment" means any certified massage
establishment where revenue from massage services exceeds 50% of the massage
establishment's total revenue.
"Massage" means the scientific manipulation of the soft tissues.
"Massage establishment permit" means a permit issued by the city manager upon
submission of satisfactory evidence as required in Section 5.87.050 of this chapter.
"Massage establishment permit holder" means a person or establishment that has been
issued a massage establishment permit by the city manager.
"Owner" or "operator" means any and all owners of a massage establishment including
any of the following persons: the managing responsible officer/employee, a general partner,
a limited partner, a shareholder, or a sole proprietor, or any person who has a five percent
or greater ownership interest in a massage business whether as an individual, corporate
entity, limited partner, shareholder or sole proprietor.
"State certification" or "state certificate" means a valid and current certification properly
issued by CAMTC pursuant to California Business and Professions Code Section 4600 et
seq., as amended. am
5.87.040 State certification and city massage establishment permit required.
Within six months of passage of the ordinance codified in this chapter, it is unlawful for any
establishment to provide massage services within the city unless the massage
establishment has obtained a massage establishment permit from the city and all
individuals providing massage at said massage establishment are state certified massage
practitioners. Any non -conforming uses shall be subject to Chapter 25.62.
5.87.050 Certified massage establishment —Permit required.
A. Any person desiring to own or operate an establishment to provide massage
services within the city shall file a massage establishment permit application on forms
provided by the city manager, submitted under penalty of perjury and containing all of the
following information:
1. State Certification Verification and Applicant Information.
a. A certified massage establishment applicant/owner shall produce:
i. A valid and current driver's license and/or identification card issued by a state or own
federal governmental agency or other photographic identification bearing a bona fide seal
by a foreign government;
ORDINANCE NO. 1277
ii. A statement that the proposed massage establishment shall employ only certified
massage practitioners along with copies of valid and current state certificates for all
massage practitioners who will provide massage services at the massage establishment
and copies of their current and valid CAMTC issued identification cards;
iii. Acceptable proof that the applicant and all certified massage practitioners employed
or who will be employed by the massage establishment are at least eighteen years of age;
iv. Two photographs of the applicant to be taken by the police department;
v. Applicant's current address, telephone number, and previous two residence
addresses including dates at each address;
vi. Applicant's business, occupation, and employment history for ten years preceding
the date of current or proposed employment, the inclusive dates of same; the name and
address of any massage establishment or other like establishment owned or operated by
any applicant including, but not limited to, history, if any, with any agency, board, city,
county, territory, or state; and dates of issuance, denial, restriction, revocation, or
suspension, and the reasons therefore of any individual or establishment permit; and
vii. Fingerprints, subject to a fee to cover actual costs, to submit to Department of
Justice through LiveScan or equivalent, and may submit additional fee to cover the actual
costs for subsequent arrest notice for renewal applications, to determine whether the
applicant has any of the following:
(A) All convictions for any crime involving conduct which requires registration under
California Penal Code Section 290 (Sex Offender Registration Act),
(B) Convictions of violations of California Penal Code Sections 266i (pandering), 315
(keeping or residing in house of ill -fame), 316 (keeping disorderly house), 318 (prevailing
upon person to visit place for gambling or prostitution), 647(b) (prostitution), 653.23
(supervision of prostitute),
(C) Convictions of any felony offense involving the sale of a controlled substance
specified in Section 1104, 11055, 11056, 11057, or 11058 of the California Health and
Safety Code,
(D) Convictions of crimes designated in California Government Code Section 51032
(massage —grounds for denial of license), or any crime involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit,
violence or moral turpitude,
(E) All injunctions for nuisances under California Penal Code Sections 11225 through
11235 (red light abatement law),
(F) Convictions in any other state of any offense which, if committed or attempted in this
state, would have been punishable as one or more of the referenced offenses of this
subdivision,
(G) Conspiracy or attempt to commit any such offense described in subsections (vi)(A)
through (F).
ORDINANCE NO. 12 7 7
viii. If the city finds that an applicant's background check results in a finding that the city
determines is relevant to owning or operating a massage establishment, the city may so"
regulate that establishment in any manner it deems proper that is in accordance with the
law. too
2. General Establishment Information.
a. The establishment name, proposed establishment address, and telephone number
of the massage establishment.
b. The name and permanent address of the owner of the property upon which the
applicant intends to locate the massage establishment.
c. In the event the applicant is not the owner of record of the real property upon which
the massage establishment is or will be located, the application must be accompanied by a
notarized statement from the owner of record of the real property acknowledging that a
massage establishment is or will be located on the property. In addition, the applicant must
furnish a copy of the lease or rental agreement pertaining to the premises in which the
massage establishment will be located.
d. The applicant shall provide the name and permanent address of the owner of the
property at which the applicant intends to locate the massage establishment. If the property
owner is a corporation, the application shall include the name of the corporation exactly as
shown in its articles of incorporation or charter together with the state and date of
incorporation and the names and residence addresses of each of its current officers and
directors, and of each stockholder holding more than five percent of the stock of that
corporation, and its registered agent for receipt of process. The applicant shall provide the
address of the corporation itself, if different than the address of the massage establishment.
If the property owner is a partnership, the application shall set forth the name and residence
address of each partner, including limited partners. If the property owner is a limited
partnership, it shall further a copy of its certificate of limited partnership as filed with the
county clerk. If one or more of the partners is a corporation, the provisions of this subsection
pertaining to corporate applicants shall apply to the corporate partner.
e. The name(s) of person(s) having the management or supervision of the applicant's
establishment.
f. Such other identification and information necessary to discover the truth of the
matters hereinbefore specified as required to be set forth in the application.
g. A description of all services to be provided by the applicant's proposed massage
establishment.
h. Name and address of any massage establishment or other like establishment owned
or operated by any person whose name is required to be given pursuant to this section.
ORDINANCE NO. 1277
3. Corporate Information.
a. If the applicant is a corporation, the application shall include the name of the
corporation exactly as shown in its articles of incorporation or charter together with the state
and date of incorporation and the names and residence addresses of each of its current
officers and directors, and of each stockholder holding more than five percent of the stock of
that corporation, and its registered agent for receipt of process. The applicant shall provide
the address of the corporation itself, if different than the address of the massage
establishment.
b. If the applicant is a partnership, the application shall set forth the name and
residence address of each partner, including limited partners. If the applicant is a limited
partnership, it shall further a copy of its certificate of limited partnership, as filed with the
county clerk. If one or more of the partners is a corporation, the provisions of this subsection
pertaining to corporate applicants shall apply to the corporate partner.
c. The applicant, corporation or partnership shall designate one of its officers or
general partners to act as its responsible managing officer/employee. Such person shall
complete and sign all application forms required of an individual applicant under this
chapter. The corporation's or partnership's responsible managing officer must, at all times,
meet all of the requirements set by this chapter or the corporation or partnership permit
shall be suspended until a responsible managing officer who meets such requirements is
designated. If no such person is found within ninety calendar days, the corporation or
partnership permit is deemed canceled and a new application for a massage establishment
permit must be filed.
4. Authorization for the City of Palm Desert, its agents and employees, to seek
information and conduct an investigation into the truth of the statements set forth in the
application and into the background of the applicant.
5. A certificate of compliance from the health officer for the city of Palm Desert (as
designated by the city manager) that certifies that the premises of the massage
establishment will meet all applicable codes and regulations must be submitted prior to
application approval.
6. Zoning consistency check in writing from city's community development department.
A zoning consistency check does not confer or authorize any entitlement to a use permit or
building permit or similar, which process, if applicable, is separate from the massage
establishment permit process.
7. A signed statement that the owner/applicant shall be responsible for the conduct of
all employees or independent contractors working on the premises of the establishment and
that failure to comply with California Business and Professions Code Section 4600 et seq.,
with any local, state, or federal law, or with the provisions of this chapter may result in the
revocation of the.city-issued permit.
ORDINANCE NO. 1277
8. Payment of an application fee as per Section 5.87.080.
B. Upon receipt of the application, the city manager shall refer the application to other
city departments that shall inspect the premises, if any, proposed to be used as a massage am
establishment and shall make a written recommendation to the city manager concerning
compliance with the respective requirements.
C. The city manager or authorized representative shall have up to sixty calendar days
after the submission of all required information to complete his or her investigation.
5.87.060 Certified massage establishment —Location.
A. No independent stand-alone massage establishment shall operate in any zone other
than the C-1 (excluding the El Paseo Overlay District), PC2, and PC3 zones.
B. No accessory massage establishment shall operate in any zone other than the C-1,
O.P., PC2, PC3, and PC4 zones.
C. No independent stand-alone massage establishment shall operate within one
thousand feet of any other stand-alone massage establishment. The measure of reference
distance in this subsection shall be a straight line from the nearest property line containing
the independent stand-alone massage establishment to the nearest property line of another
independent stand-alone massage establishment. All existing independent stand-alone
massage establishments will be allowed to continue business until such business ceases to
operate for more than thirty (30) days. .�
5.87.070 Certified massage establishment —Permit issuance. we
A. The city manager may issue a massage establishment permit to a certified massage
establishment that demonstrates all of the following:
1. That the operation, as proposed by the applicant, if permitted, complies with all
applicable laws, including, but not limited to, the city's building, zoning, business license,
and health and safety regulations.
2. The application is complete.
3. The applicant has not engaged in or been complicit in, any activity or inactivity that
would lead to suspension or revocation of a massage establishment permit as set forth in
this chapter within five years preceding the application.
4. The massage establishment employs or uses only state certified massage
practitioners whose certifications are valid and current and that owners of the state
certificates are the same persons to whom CAMTC issued valid and current identification
cards.
5. That the applicant has not made a material misrepresentation in this application or
with respect to any other document or information required by the city with respect to this "+
application or for an application for a city massage permit under applicable law within the
last five years. boo
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6. That the background check for any applicant/owner authorized by this chapter shows
that such person has not been required to register under the provisions of Section 290 of
the California Penal Code; within five years preceding the application had a conviction in
court of competent jurisdiction for any of the crimes identified in Section
5.87.050(A)(1)(d)(vi)(B) through (G); has not had an individual or establishment permit or
license with any agency, board, city, county, territory, or state, denied, revoked, restricted,
or suspended within the last five years; and has not been subject to an injunction for
nuisance under Penal Code Sections 11225 through 11235 within the last five years.
B. If the application is denied, the city manager shall promptly give the applicant written
notice thereof and the findings for such denial. The applicant may submit a written request
for reconsideration with the city manager within ten calendar days of the date of the city
manager's written notice of denial. The request for reconsideration shall be accompanied by
a fifty -dollar filing fee, or other amount as established from time to time by city council
resolution. Upon receipt of the written request, the city manager shall reconsider the
application together with any new records, documents, or information presented by the
applicant, or discovered by the city, within the time and manner provided in Section
5.87.050. The city manager's decision on the reconsideration shall be final.
5.87.080 Massage establishment permit application fee.
A massage establishment permit application fee shall be set by resolution of the city council
and shall be required for all applicants.
5.87.090 Business license.
All applicants shall obtain a business license where required by the city's business license
provisions. The issuance of a massage establishment permit is a condition precedent to the
granting of such a business license. Upon the issuance of a massage establishment permit
pursuant to this chapter, the applicant shall apply for and furnish the information necessary
to obtain a business license as required by the provisions of this code. No business license
shall be issued until the massage establishment permit has been issued and the business
license fee, as provided in this code, has been paid.
5.87.100 Notification of changes.
Every massage establishment permit holder shall report in writing to the city manager any
and all changes of address or ownership of the massage establishment, and any changes
or transfers of massage practitioners employed in the establishment or practice within thirty
calendar days of said change(s).
5.87.110 Massage establishment permit expiration and renewal.
A. Massage establishment permits shall be valid for two years from issuance or as
extended pursuant to this chapter.
B. The city massage establishment permit shall be renewed in accordance with the
expiration schedule set forth in this section.
ORDINANCE NO. 1277
C. If a massage establishment permit holder wishes to renew such permit prior to its
expiration, he or she must apply to the city to renew such permit within fifteen calendar days am
prior to expiration.
Now
D. If a renewal application and all required information for the renewal is not received
upon expiration, the massage establishment permit shall be deemed expired and no
privilege to provide massage services in Palm Desert shall exist. Renewals shall be
processed and investigated and the applicant is required to submit that information which
has changed from the last application or renewal, and a renewal application fee as provided
in Section 5.87.080.
5.87.120 Revocation or suspension of massage establishment permit.
A. Massage establishment permits issued to a certified massage establishment shall be
suspended or revoked by the city manager upon any of the following grounds:
1. The massage establishment permit holder has been arrested or filing of charges of a
crime that would have caused denial of the massage establishment permit.
2. The massage establishment permit holder has made a material misrepresentation
on the application for massage establishment permit or renewal.
3. The massage establishment permit holder has engaged in conduct or operated the
certified massage establishment or as a massage practitioner in a manner which violates ..
any of the provisions of this chapter, any conditions of the permit, or any of the laws which
would have been grounds for denial of the permit. A massage therapist or massage r,
practitioner employed by the massage establishment has been arrested for violating the
provisions of Section 647(a) and (b) of the California Penal Code, or any other state law
involving a crime of moral turpitude, or the premises for which the permit was issued is
being operated in an illegal or disorderly manner, and such practices shall constitute in
immediate suspension and/or revocation of certificate of registration.
4. The massage establishment permit holder employs or uses one or more non -
certified massage practitioners to perform massage services.
5. Violations of this chapter or of California Business and Professions Code Section
4600 et seq., have occurred on the establishment premises.
6. The massage establishment permit holder has failed to comply with one or more of
the zoning, business license, or health and safety requirements under this chapter.
7. The massage establishment permit holder has engaged in fraud, misrepresentation,
or false statements in obtaining or maintaining a massage establishment permit.
8. There is an urgency of immediate action to protect the public from injury or harm.
B. The term of suspension shall be not more than sixty calendar days.
C. The suspension or revocation shall be effective immediately by the city manager.
rr
ORDINANCE NO. 1277
D. If a massage establishment permit is suspended or revoked, the suspension shall be
effective immediately by the City Manager or his designees. Such suspension shall be
accomplished by posting a notice thereof on the premises. Such notice shall state the
reasons for the suspension. The City Manager or his designees shall direct or cause the
premises to be closed and locked against use by the public in order to insure compliance
with an order of suspension. The aggrieved party may pursue a subsequent appeal or
hearing by following the procedures set forth in this chapter.
E. It is unlawful for any person to conduct the business of a massage establishment or
carry on the business of massage while the massage establishment permit remains
suspended or revoked pending a hearing.
F. Any massage establishment permit or certificate of registration for a massage
business existing at the time this ordinance is adopted may be revoked or suspended as
provided in this chapter.
5.87.130 Suspension or revocation notice.
A. Notice shall be given to the massage establishment permit holder by letter stating
the grounds for proposed revocation or suspension. Notice shall be given by personal
service or certified, registered, or first class mail of the letter to the address shown on the
last application or renewal.
B. If the massage establishment permit is suspended or revoked, the massage
establishment permit shall be surrendered.
C. Service shall be deemed complete when personal service is made or when the
notice letter is delivered by certified, registered, or first class mail.
5.87.140 Appeal from revocation, suspension.
The decision of the city manager to suspend or revoke a massage establishment permit
may be appealed by the massage establishment permit holder in accordance with the
following procedures:
A. All appeals shall be in writing and shall contain the following information: (1) name(s)
of the person filing the appeal (appellants); (2) a brief statement in ordinary and concise
language of the grounds for the appeal; and (3) the signatures of all parties named as
appellants and their mailing addresses.
B. A filing fee for an appeal of one hundred dollars, or other amount as established
from time to time by city council resolution, must be paid to the city at or prior to the time of
the filing of the appeal.
C. Any appeal filed that fails to provide all of the information required by this section
and the appropriate filing fee shall be deemed incomplete.
ORDINANCE NO. 1277
D. A complete and proper appeal of the suspension or revocation of a massage
establishment permit shall be filed with the city clerk within ten calendar days of service of
the letter revoking or suspending the massage establishment permit or within ten calendar
days of any other action that is the subject of appeal.
E. After receiving the written appeal, the city clerk shall schedule a hearing before the
city council. The city council may refer the matter to a hearing officer. The city council may
decide the matter based on the recommendations and findings of the hearing officer, if it so
chooses.
F. The decision of the city councilor hearing officer shall be final.
5.87.150 Reapplication after denial or revocation.
No reapplication for a massage establishment permit will be accepted within two years after
an application or renewal is denied or a massage establishment permit is revoked. If the
application or renewal is denied for the sole reason that the application or renewal
application is incomplete, reapplication may occur to complete the application or renewal
application, however, an additional application fee will be charged per each submitted
application. If an application is denied for the sole reason that a massage practitioner does
not possess the required training, reapplication may occur when the required training is
completed.
5.87.160 Inspection by city and notices of violation.
A. The city shall have the right to enter the premises from time to time during regular
business hours prior to the issuance of a massage establishment permit and subsequently
for the purpose of making reasonable inspections to enforce compliance with this chapter
and with building, fire, electrical, plumbing, and/or health and safety regulations. In the
event a massage establishment permit has been issued, it may be revoked or suspended in
the manner set forth in this chapter. It is unlawful for any massage establishment
owner/operator to fail to allow code compliance or police officers into the premises or hinder
such officers in any manner. During an inspection, code compliance and police officers may
also verify the identity of the owner(s) and all employees.
B. Whenever city officials make an inspection of a massage establishment and finds
that any provision of this chapter has been violated, he or she shall give notice of such
violation by means of an inspection report or other written notice. In any such notification,
the investigating person shall:
1. Set forth the specific violation or violations found, and shall notify the massage
establishment permit holder that failure to comply with any notice issued in accordance with
the provisions of this chapter may result in the revocation or suspension of the massage
establishment permit.
2. The massage establishment permit holder may be issued a warning that any future
violation of this chapter may result in suspension or revocation of the massage
establishment permit, or the city officials may establish a specific and reasonable period of
SM
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ORDINANCE NO. 1277
time for the correction of the violation or violations. No time to correct need be given for
health and safety violations or violations of criminal law.
3. The massage establishment permit holder and operator shall take immediate action
to correct violations and city officials may re -inspect the establishment for compliance.
5.87.170 Transfer of massage establishment permit.
A massage establishment permit shall not be transferable except with the written approval
of the city manager. A written application for such a transfer shall be made to the city
manager. The application for such transfer shall contain the same information as required
herein for an initial application for a massage establishment permit as set forth in Section
5.87.050. In the event of denial of such transfer, notification of and reasons for denial shall
be set forth in writing and shall be sent to the applicant by means of registered or certified
mail or delivered in person.
5.87.180 Special events notification required.
When extra massage practitioners are required for a special event at or organized by a
certified massage establishment, the owner, manager, or operator of the establishment
must supply the city with a list of certified massage practitioners who will be working at the
event, copies of their certificates of registration, and any other information the city may
reasonably require, not less than two weeks before the date of the event.
5.87.190 Exemptions.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the following classes of persons or
establishments while engaged in the performance of their duties:
A. Physicians, surgeons, chiropractors, osteopaths, acupuncturists, nurses or physical
therapists duly licensed to practice their respective professions in the state of California and
working within the scope of their licenses.
B. Barbers, cosmetologists, estheticians, and manicurists who are duly licensed under
the laws of the state of California while engaging in practices within the scope of their
licenses, except that this provision shall apply solely to the massaging of the neck, face,
hands and feet, and/or scalp of the customers, and this exception shall not apply to full body
work or full body massage. Further, this provision shall apply solely to businesses that
generate less than fifty percent of their gross revenue from full body work or full body
massage.
C. Hospitals, nursing homes, sanatoriums, or any other health facilities duly licensed by
the state of California.
D. Accredited junior colleges and colleges or universities whose coaches and trainers
are acting within the scope of their employment.
E. Trainers of amateur, semi-professional or professional athletes or athletic teams
while engaging in their training responsibilities for and with athletes; and trainers working in
conjunction with a specific athletic event such as an outdoor road or bike race.
ORDINANCE NO. 1277
F. Health clubs, health spa, gymnasium, or other similar facility designed or intended
for general physical exercise or conditioning in which the furnishing of full body work or full "m
body massage generates less than fifty percent of the establishment's gross revenue.
However, persons performing massage services shall obtain a state certification and city
massage establishment permit in conformance with Chapter 5.90 Massage Practitioners.
5.87.200 Health and safety requirements —Building requirements.
All premises of certified massage establishments shall be subject to periodic inspection by
the city for compliance with health, safety, and building standards and all such
establishments shall comply with, in addition to zoning and building codes, the following
requirements:
A. A recognizable and readable sign shall be posted at the main entrance of each
massage establishment identifying the establishment as such establishment; provided, that
all such signs shall comply with the sign regulations of the city.
B. The owner or operator of each massage establishment shall display the massage
establishment permit issued to the establishment and to each massage practitioner
employed in the establishment in an accessible and conspicuous place on the premises.
Certified massage practitioners shall have his or her original state certificate at his or her
place of business and his or her identification card in his or her possession while providing
massage services.
C. Maximum occupancy load, fire exits, aisles and fire equipment shall be regulated,
designed and provided in accordance with the fire department and building department
regulations and standards.
D. All building openings, entries, windows, etc., shall be located, covered or screened in
such a manner as to prevent a view from the outside of the building into dressing rooms,
treatment rooms, restrooms, and other areas where patrons of the establishment may not
be fully dressed.
E. Lighting in parking lots shall be in compliance with Chapter 24.16 of the municipal
code.
F. Construction of rooms used for toilets, baths and showers shall be made waterproof
with approved waterproofed materials and shall be installed in accordance with the city
building code. Plumbing fixtures shall be installed in accordance with the city plumbing
code:
1. Steam rooms and shower compartments shall have waterproof floors, walls and
ceilings approved by the city.
2. Floors of wet and dry heat rooms shall be adequately pitched to one or more floor
drains properly connected to the sewer. Dry heat rooms with wooden floors need not be
provided with pitched floors and floor drains.
ORDINANCE NO. 1277
3. A source of hot water must be available within the immediate vicinity of dry and wet
heat rooms to facilitate cleaning.
G. Hot and cold running water under pressure from a potable source shall be provided
to all washbasins, bathtubs, showers, and similar facilities. Each water basin shall be
provided with soap or detergent and single -service towels placed in permanently installed
dispensers. A trash receptacle shall be provided in each room where such facilities are
located.
H. Provide minimum lighting in accordance with the Uniform Building Code, and in
addition, at least one artificial light of not less than forty watts shall be provided in each
enclosed room where massage is being administered.
Floors shall be free from any accumulation of dust, dirt, or refuse.
J. One front door shall be provided for patron entry to the massage establishment,
which shall open to an interior patron reception and waiting area immediately inside the
front door. All patrons and any persons other than individuals employed or retained by the
massage establishment shall be required to enter and exit through the front.
5.87.210 Health and safety requirements —Operating requirements.
All premises of certified massage establishments shall be subject to periodic inspection by
the city for compliance with health, safety, and building standards and all such
establishments shall comply with the following requirements:
A. The hours of operation shall be displayed in a conspicuous public place in the
reception area and in any front window clearly visible from outside of the massage
establishment.
B. A list of services available and the cost of such services shall be posted in an open
and conspicuous public place on the premises. No massage establishment operator shall
permit, and no person employed or retained by the certified massage establishment shall
offer to perform, any services or fees other than those posted.
C. A record shall be maintained that includes the date and time of each massage, the
name and address of the patron, the name of the person administering such massage, and
the type of massage given. Such records will be made available upon request based on
good cause, for inspection by the city manager or police chief, or their designees. The
information contained in such records shall be confidential.
D. The premises shall have adequate equipment for disinfecting and sterilizing non -
disposable instruments and materials used in administering massages. Such non -
disposable instruments and materials shall be disinfected after each use on each patron.
E. It is unlawful for any certified massage practitioner or other person to be other than
fully clothed in non -transparent clothing at all times that shall not expose their genitals,
pubic area, buttocks, or chest or for any operator of a massage establishment to allow or
permit prohibited dress.
ORDINANCE NO. 1277
F. No loudspeakers or sound equipment shall be used by a massage establishment for
amplification of sound to a level discernible by the public beyond the walls of the building in "'
which use is conducted.
G. No person shall give, or assist in the giving of, any massage or other body treatment
to any other person under the age of eighteen years, unless the parent or guardian of the
minor person has consented thereto in writing.
H. No person owning, operating, or managing massage establishment may employ or
use any person under eighteen years of age without written parental consent.
I. Maintain walls, ceilings, floor, pools, showers, bathtubs, water basins, toilets, wet
and dry heat rooms, steam or vapor rooms and cabinets and all other facilities in good
repair and in a clean and sanitary condition. Showers, water basins, toilets, wet and dry
heat rooms, steam or vapor rooms, and cabinets and compartments shall be thoroughly
cleaned at least once each day the massage establishment is in operation. Bathtubs shall
be thoroughly cleaned after each use.
J. Provide clean and sanitary towels, sheets and linens for each person. No common
usage of sheets, towels and linens shall be permitted. Towels, sheets and linens shall be
provided in sufficient quantity and shall not be used by more than one person unless such
towels, sheets and linens have been re -laundered. Separate closed cabinets or containers
shall be provided for the storage of clean and soiled towels, sheets and linens, and such
cabinets or containers shall be plainly marked "clean linen" and "soiled linen."
K. Cover pad used on massage tables in workmanlike manner with durable, washable
plastic or other waterproof material. Om
L. Unlock all exterior doors from interior side during business hours, unless the
massage establishment is a business entity owned by one individual with one or no
independent contractors.
M. No massage establishment granted a massage establishment permit or license
under the provisions of this chapter shall place, publish or distribute, or cause to be placed,
published or distributed, any advertisement, picture or statement which is known, or through
the exercise of reasonable care should be known, to be false, deceptive or misleading in
order to induce any person to purchase or utilize any professional massage service.
N. It is unlawful for any massage service to be carried on within any cubicle, room,
booth, or any area within a permitted establishment which is fitted with a door capable of
being locked, with the exception of certain massage establishments envisioned under
subsection L of this section. Toilets and cubicles used solely for the application of liquid and
vapor baths shall be clearly marked as to purpose on the exterior door or curtain of said
cubicle, room, or booth. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to eliminate other
requirements of statute, ordinance or municipal code concerning the maintenance of
premises, nor to preclude authorized inspection thereof, whenever such inspection is
deemed necessary by the code enforcement, the police or health departments. am
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ORDINANCE NO. 1277
O. No permitted establishment shall operate as a school of massage, or operate in the
same location, or use the same facilities as that of a school of massage except as otherwise
may be provided by law.
P. No person operating a massage establishment shall permit communication devices
to be installed or used in any manner on the premises so as to interfere with or hinder
inspections by code or law enforcement officers.
Q. No person or persons shall be allowed to live or sleep inside the massage
establishment at any time. No part of the establishment shall be altered for residential or
sleeping purposes.
R. No person afflicted with an infection or parasitic infestation transmissible to a patron
shall knowingly provide massage therapy to a patron, or remain on the premises of a
certified massage establishment while so infected or infested.
S. It is unlawful for any certified massage practitioner or other person to massage the
genital area of any patron or the breasts of any female patron or for any operator of a
massage establishment to allow or permit such massage.
T. If during the life of a massage establishment permit, the applicant has any change in
information concerning the original application, notification must be made to the city
manager, in writing, within thirty calendar days of the change.
U. It is unlawful for any certified massage establishment or any massage establishment
permit holder, owner, operator, or responsible managing officer/employee to violate any of
the mandatory requirements of this chapter applicable to massage establishments.
5.87.220 Violation —Penalties.
A. Unless otherwise exempted by the provisions of this chapter, every person, whether
acting as an individual, owner, employee of the owner, operator, or employee of the
operators or whether acting as a mere helper for the owner, employee, or operator, or
whether acting as a participant or worker in any way, who gives massages or conducts a
massage establishment, or who, in connection with the establishment, gives or administers,
or practices the giving or administering of, massages as defined in this chapter, without first
obtaining state certification and a city massage establishment permit, or who shall violate
any provision of this chapter, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
B. Any owner, licensee, manager, or massage establishment permit holder in charge or
in control of a massage establishment or certified massage establishment or who knowingly
employs a person who is not in possession of a valid, unrevoked massage establishment
permit, or who allows such persons to perform, operate, or practice within such a place of
business, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
C. Anyone found to have violated any provision set forth in this chapter shall be guilty of
a misdemeanor; however the city attorney may reduce the penalty to an infraction. The
penalties for such violations are as set forth in Chapter 1.12 of the municipal code.
ORDINANCE NO. 1211
D. Each violation of this chapter shall constitute a separate violation and each violation
may be charged as a separate count in the event of administrative or criminal enforcement
action.
5.87.230 Other remedies.
The provisions of Section 5.87.220 are not to be construed as exclusive remedies and, in
the event of violation, the city may pursue any proceedings or remedies otherwise provided
by law.
5.87.240 Conducting a business as a nuisance.
Any massage establishment operated, conducted, or maintained contrary to the provisions
of this chapter shall be unlawful and a public nuisance, and the city attorney may in the
exercise of discretion, in addition to or in lieu of prosecuting a criminal action hereunder,
commence an action or actions, proceeding or proceedings, for the abatement, removal and
enjoinment thereof, in a manner provided by law.
Now
ORDINANCE NO. 1277
Exhibit "B"
Title 5 BUSINESS TAXES, LICENSES AND REGULATIONS
Chapter 5.90 MASSAGE PRACTITIONERS
5.90.010 Title.
This chapter shall be known as the "Massage Practitioner Law of the City of Palm Desert."
5.90.020 Authority.
This chapter is enacted pursuant to Chapter 6 Part 1 of Division 1 of Title 5 of the
Government Code of the state (commencing with Section 51030) with recognition of the
limitations imposed by Chapter 10.5 of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code of
the state (commencing with Section 4600).
5.90.030 Definitions.
Unless the particular provision or the context otherwise requires, the definitions and
provisions contained in this section shall govern the construction, meaning and application
of words and phrases used in this chapter:
"Applicant" shall mean an applicant for a certificate of registration.
"California Massage Therapy Council" means the massage therapy organization formed
pursuant to California Business and Professions Code Section 4600 et seq., as amended,
and referred to as CAMTC herein.
"Certificate of registration" means a certificate issued by the city manager upon
submission of satisfactory evidence that a massage practitioner or therapist has a valid and
current state certification and has satisfied all other requirements pursuant to the provisions
of this chapter.
"Certified massage business" means any business where the only persons employed or
used by that business to provide massage services have current and valid state
certifications.
"Certified massage practitioner" means any person holding a current and valid state
certificate issued by the CAMTC pursuant to California Business and Professions Code
Section 4600 et seq., as amended, whether as a massage practitioner or massage
therapist, as defined therein.
"City manager" means the city manager of the city of Palm Desert, or designee.
"Massage" means the scientific manipulation of the soft tissues.
"Owner" or "operator" means any and all owners, managers, or operators of a massage
establishment with greater than 5% ownership.
ORDINANCE NO. 1277
"Registered certificate holder' means a certified massage practitioner who has been
issued a certificate of registration by the city manager.
"State certification" or "state certificate" means a valid and current certification properly
issued by CAMTC pursuant to California Business and Professions Code Section 4600 et
seq., as amended.
5.90.040 Certificates of registration.
A. It is unlawful to practice massage for any form of consideration as a principal,
employee, agent or otherwise within the city, unless a person has a current and valid
CAMTC state certification and a certificate of registration issued pursuant to this chapter.
This section expressly applies to all massage practitioners working as individuals unless
specifically exempted pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.87.190.
B. The city manager shall issue a certificate of registration to any certified massage
practitioner who demonstrates the following:
1. A valid and current state certification; and
2. A valid and current California Massage Therapy Council ("CAMTC") issued
identification card.
C. If the application is denied, the city manager shall promptly give the applicant written
notice thereof and the findings for such denial. The applicant may submit a written request
for reconsideration with the city manager within ten calendar days of the date of the city
manager's written notice of denial. The request for reconsideration shall be accompanied by
a fifty -dollar filing fee, or other amount as established from time to time by city council
resolution. Upon receipt of the written request, the city manager shall reconsider the
application together with any new records, documents, or information presented by the
applicant, or discovered by the city, within the time and manner provided in Section
5.87.050. The city manager's decision on the reconsideration shall be final.
D. A certificate of registration shall not be transferable.
5.90.050 Business license.
All persons shall obtain a business license where required by the city's business license
provisions. The issuance of a certificate of registration is a condition precedent to the
granting of such a business license. Upon the issuance of a certificate of registration
pursuant to this chapter, the applicant shall apply for and furnish the information necessary
to obtain a business license as required by the provisions of this code. No business license
shall be issued until the certificate of registration has been issued and the business license
fee, as provided in this code, has been paid. The business license fee shall be
commensurate with the business license fee charged to other professionals as established
by this code.
MW
ORDINANCE NO. 1277
5.90.060 Certificate of registration expiration and renewal.
A. Certificates of registration shall be valid for two years from issuance or as extended
pursuant to this chapter.
B. The registered certificate holder shall apply to the city to renew such registration
within thirty calendar days prior to expiration of the certificate of registration and shall apply
to the city to amend the certificate of registration within thirty calendar days after any
change in the registration information including, but not limited to, a change in the work
address. The city manager may extend the certificate of registration one time during a
renewal period for up to ninety calendar days for individuals who provide timely evidence of
a renewal application to CAMTC. Renewals shall be processed and investigated and the
applicant is required to submit that information which has changed from the last application
or renewal.
C. If a renewal application and all required information for the renewal is not received
by the city manager within thirty calendar days after expiration, the certificate of registration
shall be deemed expired and no privilege to provide massage in the city shall exist.
5.90.070 Revocation or suspension of certificate of registration.
A. The city manager shall revoke or suspend a certificate of registration issued to an
individual upon the following grounds:
1. The registered certificate holder is no longer in possession of a current and valid
state certification or CAMTC issued identification card.
2. The registered certificate holder has engaged in fraud, misrepresentation, or false
statements in obtaining or maintaining a certificate of registration.
3. A registered certificate holder has violated the provisions of Section 647(a) and (b) of
the California Penal Code, or any other state law involving a crime of moral turpitude, and
such practices shall constitute in suspension and/or revocation of certificate of registration.
B. The term of suspension of any certificate of registration shall be not more than sixty
calendar days.
1. If the certificate of registration is suspended or revoked, the certificate of registration
shall be surrendered.
5.90.080 Suspension or revocation notice.
Notice of suspension or revocation of a certificate of registration shall be made in
compliance with Section 5.87.130.
5.90.090 Appeal from revocation, suspension.
The decision of the city manager to revoke or suspend a certificate of registration may be
appealed by the registered certificate holder in accordance with the procedures set forth in
Section 5.87.140.
ORDINANCE NO. 1277
5.90.100 Reapplication after denial.
No reapplication for a certificate of registration will be accepted within one year after an
application or renewal is denied or a certificate of registration is revoked. UUM
5.90.110 Compliance with Chapter 5.87.
Certified massage practitioners shall comply with all applicable health and safety
regulations found in Sections 5.87.200 and 5.87.210.
5.90.120 Violation —Penalties.
A. Unless otherwise exempted by the provisions of this chapter, every person, whether
acting as an individual, owner, employee of the owner, operator, or employee of the
operators or whether acting as a mere helper for the owner, employee, or operator, or
whether acting as a participant or worker in any way, who gives massages or conducts a
massage business, or who, in connection with the business, gives or administers, or
practices the giving or administering of, massages as defined in this chapter, without first
obtaining state certification and a city certificate of registration, or who violates any provision
of this chapter, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
B. Any massage establishment permit holder in charge or in control of a certified
massage business who knowingly employs a person who is not in possession of a valid,
unrevoked state CAMTC certificate or a certificate of registration, or who allows such
persons to perform, operate, or practice within such a place of business, shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor.
C. Anyone found to have violated any provision set forth herein shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor; however the city attorney may reduce the penalty to an infraction. The
penalties for such violations are as set forth in Chapter 1.12 of the municipal code.
D. Each violation of this chapter shall constitute a separate violation and each violation
may be charged as a separate count in the event of administrative or criminal enforcement
action.
5.90.130 Other remedies.
The provisions of Section 5.90.120 are not to be construed as exclusive remedies and, in
the event of violation, the city may pursue any proceedings or remedies otherwise provided
by law.