HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 770ORDINANCE NO. 770
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALK DESERT,
AMENDING CHAPTER S.88 OF THE PALK DESERT
MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING THE OPERATION OF
ADULT ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENTS
The City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, does
hereby find as follows:
WHEREAS, adult entertainment establishments in the
incorporated area of the City of Palm Desert require special
supervision from public safety and health agencies of the City and
County of Riverside in order to protect and preserve the health,
safety and welfare of the patrons of such establishments as well as
citizens of the City; and
WHEREAS, the City Council and staff have conducted an
extensive review of land use studies concerning the secondary
effects of adult entertainment establishments in other cities
including, but not limited to, Garden Grove, California (1991);
Phoenix, Arizona (1986); Minneapolis, Minnesota (1980); Houston,
Texas (1983); Indianapolis, Indiana (1984); Amarillo, Texas (1977);
City of Los Angeles, California (1977); Cleveland, Ohio (1977);
Austin, Texas (1986); Seattle, Washington (1989); Oklahoma City
(1986); Beaumont, Texas (1982); and Whittier, California (1978);
have conducted its own studies, surveys and questionnaires of real
estate appraisers, business persons and residents in Palm Desert;
and
WHEREAS, from review of the other cities' studies and the
City's own surveys and testimony from its citizens, there is
convincing documented evidence that adult entertainment
establishments, because of their very nature,'have a deleterious
effect on both existing businesses around them and the surrounding
residential areas adjacent to them, causing among other adverse
secondary effects, increased crime and downgrading of property
values; and
WHEREAS, it is recognized that adult entertainment
establishments, due to their nature, have serious objectional
operational characteristics, particularly when they are operating
in close proximity to each other, thereby contributing to crime,
lower property values, urban blight and downgrading of the quality
of life in the adjacent area; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that adult entertainment
establishments are frequently used for sexual activities including
prostitution and for other sexual liaisons of casual nature in
places open to the public; and
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Ordinance No. 770
WHEREAS, increased crime and unhealthful conduct tend to
accompany, concentrate around and be aggravated by adult
entertainment establishments; such crime and unhealthful conduct
includes but is not limited to prostitution, pandering, exposing
minors to harmful materials, possession and distribution of obscene
materials and child pornography, possession and sale of controlled
substances and violent crimes against persons and property; and
WHEREAS, concern over sexually transmitted diseases, including
AIDS, is a legitimate health concern of the City which demands
reasonable regulations of adult entertainment establishments in
order to protect the health and well being of the citizens; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has considered in part, each of the
following matters: (a) areas within close walking distance of
single and multiple family dwellings should be free of adult
entertainment establishment uses; (b) areas where children could be
expected to walk, patronize, or frequent should be free of adult
entertainment establishment uses; (c) adult entertainment
establishment uses should be located in areas of the City which are
not in close proximity to residential uses, churches, parks, or
other public facilities and schools regularly frequented by
children; (d) the image of the City as a ptiasant attractive place
to reside will be adversely affected by: the presence of adult
entertainment establishment uses in close proximity to residential
land uses, churches, parks and other public facilities, and
schools; (e) adult entertainment establishment uses should be
regulated by zoning to separate them from other incompatible uses
or uses which detract from other retail businesses, in particular,
just as any other land use should be separated from uses with
characteristics different from itself; (f) residents of the City
and persons who are non-residents but use the City for shopping and
other commercial needs will move from the community or shop
elsewhere if adult entertainment establishment land uses are
allowed to locate in close proximity to residential uses, churches,
parks, and other public facilities, and schools; (g) appraisers
familiar with commercial and residential properties in the City
have expressed their opinion that the presence of adult
entertainment establishments near homes substantially increases
crime and substantially decreases property values of such homes,
and that location of such businesses in commercial areas tends to
detract from the value of nearby commercial properties as well, and
at the same time tends to lead to a substantial increase in crime,
substantial decrease in safety of women and children, and to
detract from the ability to attract other businesses to the area,
as well as to detract from the ability of non -adult entertainment
establishments to attract customers to the area, and (h) no
evidence has been presented to show that location of adult
entertainment establishments within the City will improve the
commercial viability or quality of life of the community; and
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Ordinance No. 770
WHEREAS, zoning, licensing and other police power regulations
are legitimate, reasonable means of accountability to help protect
the quality of life in the community and to help assure that all
operators of adult entertainment establishments comply with
reasonable regulations and are located in places that minimize the
adverse secondary effects which naturally accompany the operation
of such businesses; and
WHEREAS, the City recognizes the possible harmful effects on
children and minors exposed to the effects of such businesses and
the deterioration of respect for family values, and the need and
desire of children and minors to stay away from and avoid such
businesses, which causes children to be fearful and cautious when
walking through or visiting in the immediate neighborhood of such
businesses; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that there would be a
deterioration in the quality of businesses which choose to operate
in and around adult entertainment establishments; and
WHEREAS, The City Council desires to minimize and control
these adverse secondary effects and thereby protect the health,
safety and welfare of the citizens; protect the citizens from
increased crime; preserve the quality of life; preserve the
property values and the character of surrounding neighborhoods and
businesses, deter the spread of urban blight and protect against
the threat to health from the spread of communicable and sexually
transmitted diseases; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has considered the decisions of the
United States Supreme Court regarding local regulation of adult
entertainment establishments, including but not limited to, Young
v. American Mini -Theatres. Inc., 427 U.S. 50 (1976) reh. denied 429
U.S. 873; Renton v. Playtime Theatres, 475 U.S. 41 (1986) reh.
denied 475 U.S. 1132; FW/PBS. Inc. v. Dallas, 493 U.S. 215 (1990);
Barnes v. Glen Theatre, 111 S.Ct. 2456 (June 21, 1991); and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that locational
criteria alone do not adequately protect health, safety and general
welfare of the people of the City and thus imposition of certain
requirements with respect to the ownership and operation of adult
entertainment establishments is in the public interest; and
WHEREAS, the City Council, consistent with limitations on the
sale of alcohol, further finds that restricted hours of operation
will further prevent the adverse secondary effects of adult
entertainment establishments; and
WHEREAS, it is not the intent of Chapter 5.88 to suppress any
speech activities protected by the First Amendment, but to provide
content neutral regulations which address the adverse secondary
effects of adult entertainment establishments; and
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Ordinance No. 770
WHEREAS, it is not the intent of the City Council to condone
or legitimize the distribution of obscene material, and the Council
recognizes that state law prohibits the distribution of obscene
materials and expects and encourages law enforcement state and
local enforcement officials to enforce state obscenity statutes
against such illegal activities in the City; and
NOW THEREFORE, The City Council of the City of Palm Desert
does ordain as follows:
SECTION 1. Pursuant to state and local environmental
regulations, it has been determined that the regulations
encompassed in this ordinance are not considered to have a
significant impact on the environment. The proposed action is
further deemed to be classified as a Categorical Exemption pursuant
to the state and city environmental regulation.
SECTION 2. Chapter 5.88 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code
is hereby amended to read as follows:
Chapter 5.88
OPERATION OF ADULT ENTERTAINMENT
ESTABLISHKENTS
Sections:
5.88.010
Purpose.
5.88.020
Definitions.
5.88.030
Permits.
5.88.040
Location.
5.88.060
Amortization of nonconforming uses.
5.88.070
Operational criteria.
5.88.080
Employment of and services rendered to minors
prohibited.
5.88.090
Application for permit.
5.88.100
Renewal of permit.
5.88:110
Investigation.
5.88.120
Issuance of permit.
5.88.125
Adult Entertainment.
5.88.130
Denial, suspension, revocation of permit.
5.88.140
Inspection required.
5.88.150
violation -- Penalties.
5.88.160
Other remedies.
5.88.170
Conducting business as a nuisance.
5.88.180
Sale or transfer or change of location.
5.88.190
Transfer of permit.
5.88.200
Regulations pertaining to exhibition of
sexually explicit films or videos in video
booths.
5.88.210
Regulations pertaining to adult entertainers.
5.88.220
Hours of operation.
5.88.230
Public nudity at adult entertainment
establishments is prohibited.
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5.88.240 Regulations not applicable to theaters, concert
halls, or similar establishments.
5.88.250 Severance clause.
5.88.010 Purpose.
It is the purpose and intent of this ordinance to regulate
adult entertainment establishments to promote the health, safety,
and general welfare of the citizens of the- City and to establish
reasonable and uniform regulations to prevent any. deleterious
effects of adult entertainment establishments within 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 adult entertainment to their
intended market. Neither is it the intent or effect of this
Chapter to in any way condone or legitimize the distribution of
obscene material or material harmful to minors.
5.88.020 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:
A. Adult Entertainment Establishment. This term is defined
to include each and every one of the following described uses:
1. "Adult Bookstore", "Adult Novelty Store" or "Adult
Video Store" means a commercial establishment which (1) has as a
significant or substantial portion of its stock -in -trade or (2)
derives a significant or substantial portion of its revenues or (3)
devotes a significant or substantial portion of its interior floor
or display space or (4) devotes a significant or substantial
portion of its business activities or employees' time, or
advertising, to the sale, rental or viewing for any form of
consideration, of any one or more of the following:
a. Books, magazines, periodicals or other printed
matter, or photographs, films, motion pictures, video
cassettes, slides, or other visual representations which are
characterized by the depiction or description of specified
sexual activities or specified anatomical areas;
b. Instruments, devices, or paraphernalia which
are designed for use in connection with specified sexual
activities.
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Ordinance No 70
C. An establishment may have other significant or
substantial business purposes that do not involve the offering
for sale rental or viewing of materials, depicting or
describing specified sexual activities or specified anatomical
areas, and still be categorized as adult bookstore, adult
novelty store, or adult video store. Such other business
purposes will not serve to exempt such establishments from
being categorized as an adult bookstore, adult novelty store
or adult video store so long as one of its significant or
substantial business purposes is offering for sale or rental,
for some form of consideration, the specified materials which
depict or describe specified anatomical areas or specified
sexual activities.
2. "Adult motel" means a motel, hotel or similar
commercial establishment which: (a) offers public accommodations,
for any form of consideration, and which regularly provides or
makes available to patrons with closed-circuit television
transmissions, films, motion pictures, video cassettes, slides or
other photographic reproductions which are characterized by 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) offers a
sleeping room for rent for a period of time less than ten (10)
hours; or (c) allows a tenant or occupant to rent or sub -rent the
sleeping room for a time period of less than ten (10) hours.
3. "Adult minimotion picture theater" means an enclosed
building with a capacity of less than fifty persons used for
presenting material distinguished or characterized by an emphasis
on the portrayal of matter depicting or relating to specified
sexual activities or specified anatomical areas for observation by
patrons therein.
4. "Adult motion picture arcade" means any place to
which the public is permitted or invited wherein coin or
slug -operated or electronically, electrically, or mechanically
controlled still or motion picture machines, projectors or other
image -producing devices are maintained to show images to five or
fewer persons per machine at any one time, and where the images so
displayed are distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on the
portrayal of matter depicting or describing specified sexual
activities or specified anatomical areas.
5. "Adult motion picture theater" means an enclosed
building with a capacity of fifty or more persons used primarily
for presenting material distinguished or characterized by more than
an emphasis on the portrayal of matter depicting, describing, or
relating to specified sexual activities or specified anatomical
areas for observation by patrons therein.
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Ordinance No. 770
6. "Adult cabaret" means a nightclub, bar, restaurant
bottle shop, theater or similar commercial establishment, whether
or not alcoholic beverages are served, which features: (a) persons
who appear nude or in a state of nudity or semi-nude; (b) live
performances which are characterized by the exposure of specified
anatomical areas or by specified sexual activities, or (c) films,
motion pictures, video cassettes, slides, or other photographic
reproductions which are characterized by the depiction or
description of specified sexual activities or specified anatomical
areas.
7. "Encounter center" or "rap studio" means any
business agency or person who, for any form of consideration or
gratuity, provides a place where two or more persons may
congregate, assemble or associate for the primary purpose of
engaging in, describing or discussing specified sexual activities
or specified anatomical areas.
8. "Adult Entertainment Bureau" means any business,
agency, or person who, for any form of consideration whatsoever,
furnishes or offers to furnish the services of an adult
entertainer. An "adult entertainer" shall not be considered an
"adult entertainment bureau" unless the adult entertainer furnishes
or offers to furnish the services of other adult entertainers.
9. "Figure model studio" means any premises or mobile
facility where there is conducted the business or transaction of
furnishing, providing or procuring figure models who pose for the
purpose of being observed or viewed by any person, or being
sketched, painted, drawn, sculptured, photographed, filed,
videotaped or otherwise similarly depicted in the state of nudity
or semi -nudity before persons who pay a fee, or any other thing of
value, as consideration, compensation or gratuity, for the right or
opportunity to so observe a figure model, or for admission to,
permission to or as a condition of, remaining on the premises.
"Figure model studio" does not include any studio or classroom
which is operated by any public agency, or any public or private
educational institution authorized under California Education Code
Section 94300 et seq., to issue and confer a diploma or degree.
10. The definition of "adult business" shall not include
an establishment where a medical practitioner, psychologist,
psychiatrist, or similar professional person licensed by the state
engages in medically approved and recognized sexual therapy.
B. "Adult entertainer" means a person who for any form of
consideration or gratuity performs or appears in nude or in a state
of nudity or semi -nudity or whose performances are characterized by
the exposure of specified anatomical areas or by specified sexual
activities and whose performances are not theatrical performances
in theaters, concert halls, or similar establishments that are not
licensed as sexually oriented businesses.
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Ordinance No. 770
C. "City manager" means the city manager of the City of Palm
Desert, or his or her designated representative.
D. "Employee" means any person over eighteen years of age
who renders any service in connection with the operation of an
adult entertainment establishment and receives compensation from
the operator of the business or patrons.
E. "Establishment" means and includes any of the following:
1. The opening or commencement of any such business as
a new business;
2. The conversion of an existing business, whether or
not an adult business, to any of the adult businesses defined in
this chapter;
3. The addition of any of the adult entertainment
establishments defined in this chapter to any other existing adult
establishment; or
4. The relocation of any such adult entertainment
establishment; or
5. The substantial enlargement of any such adult
entertainment establishment.
F. "Nudity or State of Nudity" means: (a) the appearance or
display of human bare buttock, anus, male genitals, female
genitals, or the areola or nipple of the female breast; or (b) a
state of dress which fails to opaquely and fully cover a human
buttocks, anus, male or female genitals, pubic region or areola or
nipple of the female breast.
G. "Operator" means and includes the owner, permit holder,
custodian, manager, operator or person in charge of any permitted
or licensed premises.
H. "Permittee" means the person to whom a permit has been
issued.
I. "Police chief" means the chief of the police department
of the City of Palm Desert, or his or her designated
representative.
J. "Semi -Nude" means a state of dress in which clothing
covers no more than the genitals, pubic, region, and areolae of the
female breast, as well as portions of the body covered by
supporting straps or devices.
K. "Specified Anatomical Areas" as used herein means and
includes any of the following:
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Ordinance No. 770
1. Less than completely and opaquely covered human
genitals, pubic region, buttocks, anus or female breasts below a
point immediately above the top of the areola; or
2. Human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state,
even if completely and opaquely covered.
L. "Specified Criminal Acts" shall mean acts which are
sexual crimes against children, sexual abuse, rape, crimes
connected with another adult entertainment establishment including
but not limited to distribution of obscenity or material harmful to
minors, prostitution, pandering, or distribution or sale of illegal
drugs.
M. "Specified sexual activities" includes the following:
1. Actual or simulated sexual intercourse, oral cop-
ulation, anal intercourse, oral anal copulation, bestiality, direct
physical stimulation of unclothed genitals, flagellation or torture
in the context of sexual relationship, or the use of excretory
functions in the context of a sexual relationship, and any of the
following depicted sexually oriented acts or conduct: anilingus,
buggery, coprophagy, coprophilia, cunnilingus, fellatio, necro-
philia, pederasty, pedophilia, piquerism, sapphism, zooerasty; or
2. Clearly depicted human genitals in state of sexual
stimulation, arousal or tumescence; or
3. Use of human or animal masturbation, sodomy, oral
copulation, coitus, ejaculation; or
4. Fondling or touching of nude human genitals, pubic
region, buttocks or female breasts; or
5. Masochism, erotic or sexually oriented torture,
beating or the infliction of pain; or
6. Erotic or lewd touching, fondling or other contact
with an animal by a human being; or
7. Human excretion, urination, menstruation, vaginal or
anal irrigation.
N. "Substantial Enlargement of an Adult Entertainment
Establishment" means increase in the floor areas occupied by the
business by more than 15%.
O. "Transfer" of an adult entertainment establishment means
and includes any of the following:
1. The sale, lease or sublease of the business;
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Ordinance No. 770
2. The transfer of securities which constitute a
controlling interest in the business, whether by sale, exchange or
similar means;
3. The establishment of a trust, gift or other similar
legal devise which transfers ownership or control of the business,
except for transfer by bequest or other operation of law upon the
death of a person possessing the ownership of control.
5.88.030 Permits.
A. It is unlawful for any person, association, partnership
or corporation to engage in, conduct, carry on, or to permit to be
engaged in, conducted, or carried on, in or upon any premises
within the City, the business of an adult entertainment
establishment, or be engaged as an adult entertainer, as herein de-
fined, without possessing a permit issued pursuant to the
provisions of this chapter for each and every separate office or
place of business conducted by the above. The permit fee required
hereby shall be in addition to any other license, permit or fee
required under any of the provisions of this code.
B. Neither the filing of an application for the permit, nor
payment of any other license, permit or fee required under any
other provision of this code, shall authorize the engaging in,
conducting or carrying on of an adult entertainment establishment,
or as an adult entertainer.
C. The application fee for an adult entertainment
establishment permit shall be five hundred dollars and is non
refundable and shall be used to defray the cost of investigation,
processing and hearing as set forth herein. The application fee
for an adult entertainer permit shall be one hundred dollars. The
fees set forth herein shall be in effect until the City council
shall by resolution fix some other rate based upon a cost factor.
D. All permits shall expire on December 31st of the calendar
year for which they were issued. Applications for renewal of a
permit shall be made on or before November 30th of the year
preceding the year from which a renewal permit is sought. The
renewal application fee for an adult entertainment establishment
permit shall be one hundred dollars. The renewal application fee
for an adult entertainer shall be twenty-five dollars. Said
renewal application fees are nonrefundable and shall be used to
defray the cost of investigation and processing the renewal
applications. The fees set forth herein shall be in effect until
the City council shall by resolution fix some other rate based upon
a cost factor.
5.88.040 Location.
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Ordinance No. 770
A. No adult entertainment establishment shall be established
in the following locations:
1. In any zone other than the SI or service industrial
zones;
2. Within five hundred feet of any R-1, R-2, R-3, PR,
PC, PI zone and five hundred feet of any other C-1 zones in the
City of Palm Desert;
3. Within five hundred feet of any parcel of real
property in which is located any of the following uses or
facilities:
a. "Church" defined herein as any facility used
primarily for worship of any religion, or used for other religious
purposes.
b. City, county, state, federal or other
governmental public buildings, whether owned, leased, or operated
by a governmental entity, including but not limited to city halls,
libraries, police and fire stations and post offices.
C. "Schools" defined herein as:
i) Institutions for teaching or caring for
minor children (e.g., child care facilities, preschools, day
schools, elementary schools, secondary schools, high schools); and
ii) Institutions of higher learning receiving
approved graduates of preparatory school and offering instructions
in art, letters and science, leading to the bachelor's degree or
master's degree (e.g., colleges and universities).
The aforesaid institutions may be funded and/or operated
either by governmental public authorities or by private
organizations;
d. "Public park" or "recreational facility" means
public land which has been designated for park or recreational
activities including but not limited to a park, playground, nature
trails, swimming pool, reservoir, athletic field, basketball or
tennis courts, open space, wilderness areas, or similar public land
within the City which is under the control, operation, or
management of the City park and recreation authorities.
4. Within five hundred feet of any other adult
entertainment establishment;
5. Within five hundred feet of any business involving
an on -premises sale of liquor or alcoholic beverages.
B. The measure of reference distance in this section shall
be a straight line from the nearest property line containing the
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Ordinance No. 770
adult entertainment establishment to the nearest property line of
an affected use, without regard to intervening structures.
C. If an adult entertainment bureau is to serve as a
referral service only and no other type of adult entertainment
business is conducted on the premises, the bureau shall not be
subject to the location requirements of this section, but shall
otherwise comply with City requirements with respect to the
location of service establishments.
5.88.060 Amortization of nonconforming uses.
The provisions of Title 25 of this code dealing with
nonconforming uses shall not be applicable to adult entertainment
establishments. Instead, the following amortization schedule shall
apply to all adult entertainment establishments which do not
conform to the terms of this chapter but otherwise are legally
existing on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this
chapter
A. For an adult entertainment establishment legally existing
in the City of Palm Desert for a period of no less than six months
preceding the effective date of the ordinance codified in this
chapter one hundred twenty days;
B. For an adult entertainment establishment legally existing
within the City of Palm Desert for a period of no less than three
months preceding the effective date of the ordinance codified in
this chapter: ninety days:
C. For an adult entertainment establishment legally existing
within the City of Palm Desert for any period up to three months
preceding the effective date of the ordinance codified in this
chapter: sixty days.
5.88.070 operational criteria.
In addition to the base zone requirements governing use and
minimum development standards, the following additional
requirements shall be met by adult entertainment establishments:
A. The use shall have a separate business entrance adjacent
to the required parking area and no other nonadult use shall be
permitted in the same building space while used as an adult
entertainment establishment.
B. All signing and architectural graphics shall comply with
the provisions of Title 25 of the code of the City of Palm Desert.
C. Maximum occupancy load, fire exits, aisles and fire
equipment shall be regulated, designed and provided in accordance
with the fire department and building and safety division
regulations and standards.
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Ordinance No. 770
D. All building openings, entries, windows, etc., shall be
located, covered or screened in such a manner as to prevent a view
into the interior from outside the building.
E. Lighting in Parking Lots. Lighting shall be required
which is designed to illuminate all off-street parking areas
serving such use for the purpose of increasing the personal safety
of store patrons and reducing the incidence of vandalism and theft.
F. Amplified Sound. No loudspeakers or sound equipment
shall be used by an adult entertainment establishment for the
amplification of sound to a level discernible by the public beyond
the walls of the building in which such use is conducted.
G. The building entrance to the adult use shall be clearly
and legibly posted by a notice indicating that minors are precluded
from entering the premises. As used herein, "minor" means an
individual less than eighteen years of age.
H. Commercial businesses licensed or operating within the
City shall not display or exhibit any material in a manner which
exposes to public view photographs or illustrations of specified
sexual activities or one or more naked adults in poses which
emphasize or direct the viewer's attention to the subject's
genitals. As used herein, "exposes to public view," means exposes
to the view of the person outside the building in which the
commercial business is located.
I. The permit required by this chapter shall be displayed in
a prominent area.
5.88.080 Employment of and services rendered to minors prohibited.
No holder of an adult entertainment establishment permit shall
employ any person under eighteen years of age nor shall such
permittee provide any service for which it requires such permit to
any patron, customer or person under eighteen years of age.
5.88.090 Application for permit for adult entertainment
establishment.
A. Any person, association, partnership or corporation
desiring to obtain a business license tax certificate and a permit
for an adult entertainment establishment shall make an application,
under oath, to the City manager upon a form provided by the City
manager showing:
1. The name, current permanent residential address and
telephone number of the applicant:
2. The business name, proposed business address of the
adult entertainment establishment and its telephone number.
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Ordinance No. 770
a. If the applicant is a corporation, the name
shall be exactly as set forth in its articles of incorporation and
it shall provide a copy of its articles of incorporation. The
applicant shall show the name and residence address of each of the
officers, directors and each stockholder owning not less than ten
percent of the stock of the corporation and the address of the
corporation itself, if different than the address of the adult
entertainment establishment. The applicant shall show that the
corporation is in good standing under the laws of California.
b. If the applicant is a 'partnership, the
application shall show the name and residence address of each of
the partners including limited partners and the address of the
partnership itself, if different than the address of the adult
entertainment establishment;
3. The name and permanent address of the owner of the
property upon which the applicant intends to locate the adult
entertainment establishment. If the property owner is a
corporation, the name shall be exactly as set forth in its articles
of incorporation and the applicant ishall show the name and
residence address of each of the officers, directors and
stockholders owning not less than ten percent of the stock of the
corporation. If the property owner is a partnership, the
application shall show the name and residence address of each of
its partners, including limited partners;
4. In the event the applicant is not the owner of
record of the real property upon which the adult entertainment
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 an adult entertainment
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 adult entertainment
establishment will be located;
5. The date, hours and location where the adult
entertainment establishment is proposed to be conducted, and the
admission fee, if any, to be charged;
6. The name(s) of person(s) having the management or
supervision of the applicant's business;
7. Whether or not the applicant has been convicted of
a specified criminal act within the last five years, the nature of
such offense, the date of conviction, place convicted and the
sentence received therefor.
If the applicant is a corporation, this requirement applies to
each of the officers, directors and/or stockholders owning not less
than ten percent of the stock of the corporation. If the applicant
is a partnership, this requirement applies to each of the partners
including limited partners;
RYH58MI -14 -
Ordinance No. 770
S. Whether or not the applicant has ever had any
similar license or permit issued by such agency revoked or
suspended, or has had any professional or vocational license or
permit revoked or suspended, and the reasons therefor, and the
business activity or occupation subsequent to such action of
suspension or revocation. If the applicant is a corporation, this
requirement applies to each of the officers, directors and/or
stockholders owning not less than ten percent of the stock of the
corporation. If the applicant is a partnership, this requirement
applies to each of the partners., including limited partners;
9. Driver's license or other acceptable identification
and social security number of the applicant. If the applicant is
a corporation, this requirement applies to each of the officers,
directors, and/or stockholders owning not less than ten percent of
the stock of the corporation. If the applicant is a partnership,
this requirement applies to each of the partners, including limited
partners;
10. Acceptable written proof that the applicant is at
least eighteen years of age. If the applicant is a corporation,
this requirement applies to each of the officers, directors and/or
stockholders owning not less than ten percent of the stock of the
corporation. If the applicant is a partnership, this requirement
applies to each of the partners, including limited partners;
11. The height, weight, color of eyes, color of hair and
date of birth of the applicant. If the applicant is a corporation,
this requirement applies to each of the officers, directors and/or
stockholders owning not less than ten percent of the stock of the
corporation. If the applicant is a partnership, this requirement
applies to each of the partners, including limited partners;
12. The business, occupation or employment history of
the applicant for the last five-year period immediately preceding
the date of filing of the application. If the applicant is a
corporation, this requirement applies to each of the officers,
directors, and/or stockholders owning not less than ten percent of
the stock of the corporation. If the applicant is a partnership,
this requirement applies to each of the partners, including limited
partners;
13. Each residence and business address of the applicant
for the five-year period immediately preceding the date of the
filing of the application. If the applicant is a corporation, this
requirement applies to each of the officers, directors and/or
stockholders owning not less than ten percent of the stock of the
corporation. If the applicant is a partnership, this requirement
applies to each of the partners, including limited partners;
14. One front -face portrait photograph of the applicant
at least two inches by two inches and a complete set of applicant's
fingerprints which shall be taken by the City police. If the
applicant is a corporation, one front -face portrait photograph at
RWH58091 -15 -
Ordinance No. 770
least two inches by two inches of all officers, directors and
stockholders owning not less than ten percent of the stock of the
corporation and a complete set of the same officers', directors'
and stockholders' fingerprints which shall be taken by the City
police. If the applicant is a partnership, one front -face portrait
photograph at least two inches by two inches in size of each
partner, including limited partners in the partnership, and a
complete set of each partner or limited partner's fingerprints
which shall be taken by the City police;
15. A detailed description of the proposed enter-
tainment, including type of entertainment, number of persons
engaged in the entertainment and any further information about the
entertainment or entertainers, as the City manager may deem
necessary;
16. The name and address of any other adult enter-
tainment establishment owned or operated by any person whose name
is required to be given in subsection B;
17. A description of any other business to be operated
on the same premises or on adjoining premises owned or controlled
by the applicant. If the applicant is a corporation, this
requirement applies to each of the officers, directors and/or
stockholders owning not less than ten percent of the stock of the
corporation. If the applicant is a partnership, this requirement
applies to each of the partners, including limited partners;
18. Authorization for the City, its agents and employees
to seek information and conduct an investigation into the truth of
the statements set forth in the application and the qualifications
of the applicant for the permit;
19. Such other identification and information necessary
to discover the truth of the matters required to be set forth in
the application;
20. Applicant must furnish for any person whose name is
required to be given in subsection 6 the information requested by
subsections 1, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18, and 19.
21. A sketch or diagram showing the configuration of the
premises, including a statement of total floor space occupied by
the business. The sketch or diagram need not be professionally
prepared, but it must be drawn to a designated scale or drawn with
marked dimensions of the interior of the premises to an accuracy of
plus or minus six (6) inches.
22. A current certificate and straight-line drawing
prepared within thirty (30) days prior to application by a
California registered land surveyor depicting the property lines
and the structures containing any established existing uses
regulated by this Chapter within five hundred (500) feet of the
property to be certified; the property lines of any established
RNH5W91 -16-
Ordinance No. 770
religious institution/synagogue,
area, public building, business
liquor or alcoholic beverages, oz
PI or C-1 within five hundred
purpose of this Section, a use
established if it is in existen
submitted.
school, public park, recreation
involving an on -premises sale of
area zoned R-1, R-2, R-3, PR, PC,
500) feet of the property. For
shall be considered existing or
:e at the time an application is
B. The holder of the permit for
establishment shall notify the City's code
each change in any of the data required
section within ten days after such change
5.88.100 Renewal of permit.
an adult entertainment
compliance department of
to be furnished by this
occurs.
Upon application for a renewal permit, the applicant shall
provide all of the information set forth in Section 5.88.090.
5.88.110 Investigation.
A. After an application for permit has been filed with the
city manager, he or she shall cause an investigation to be made by
the City's code compliance department. The code compliance
department shall refer copies of the application to the following
departments within five days of receipt of the application: the
City's department of building and safety, the Riverside County
Health Department, the Riverside County Fire Marshal. These
departments shall within thirty days inspect the premises proposed
to be operated as an adult entertainment establishment and shall
make written verification to the code compliance department
concerning compliance with the codes of the City, Riverside County
and the state of California, that they administer. If such
premises are not in compliance, the code compliance department
shall notify the applicant, in. writing, of the deficiencies, and
shall cause the reinspection' of such premises to be made upon
written request by the applicant; provided, however, that such
request for reinspection is made within thirty days after notice of
noncompliance has been given by the code compliance department.
The application shall further be referred to the City's police
department for investigation of the applicant's character and
qualifications.
B. The aforesaid procedure shall apply to renewal
applications for permits.
5.88.120 Issuance of permit.
A. The city manager shall grant or deny an application for
an adult entertainment establishment permit within sixty (60) days
from the date of its proper filing. Upon the expiration of the
sixtieth (60th) day, unless the applicant requests and is granted
RWH58091 -17 -
Ordinance No. 770 N
a reasonable extension of time, the applicant shall be permitted to
begin operating the business for which the permit is sought, unless
and until the city manager notifies the applicant of a denial of
the application and states the reason(s) for that denial.
B. The city manager shall grant an application for an adult
entertainment establishment permit if he or she finds and
determines all of the following:
1. The conduct of the adult entertainment estab-
lishment, as proposed by the applicant, if permitted, will comply
with all applicable laws, including but not limited to the City's
building, zoning and health regulations;
2. The applicant has not knowingly made any false,
misleading or fraudulent statements of fact in the permit
application, or any other document required by the City in
conjunction therewith; if the applicant is a corporation, this
requirement applies to each of the officers, directors and/or
stockholders owning not less than ten percent of the stock of the
corporation. If the applicant is a partnership, this requirement
applies to each of the partners, including limited partners;
3. The applicant or any other person who will be
directly engaged in the management and operation of the place of
the adult entertainment establishment:
a. Has not done any act involving dishonesty,
fraud or deceit with the intent to substantially benefit himself,
herself or another, or substantially injure another, or
b. Has not been convicted of a specified criminal
act. A "conviction" shall mean a plea or verdict of guilty or
conviction following a plea of nolo contendere, unless the convic-
tion was so remote in time as to indicate that the applicant has
been rehabilitated, or the applicant has presented evidence to the
chief of police which shows to the satisfaction of the chief of
police that the applicant has been rehabilitated,
i) The act or crime referred to in subsection
3 a or 3 b hereinabove must be substantially related to the
qualifications, functions or duties of a person engaged in the
business or practice of the adult entertainment establishment;
C. The correct permit fee has been tendered to the City and,
in the case of a check or bank draft, honored with payment upon
presentation;
D. The applicant has not had an adult entertainment
establishment or other similar permit denied, revoked or suspended
by the'City or any other state or local agency within five years
prior to the date of the application;
RWH58091 -18 -
Ordinance No. 770
E. The applicant is not under the age of eighteen years. If
the applicant is a corporation, this requirement applies to each of
the officers, directors and/or stockholders owning not less than
ten percent of the stock of the corporation. If the applicant is
a partnership, this requirement applies to each of the partners,
including limited partners;
F. The City may issue a license or permit to any person
convicted of any of the crimes described in subsections 3a or 3b of
this section if it finds that such conviction occurred at least
five years prior to the date of the application and.the.applicant
has had no subsequent felony convictions of any nature and no
subsequent misdemeanor convictions for crime mentioned in this
section.
5.88.125 Adult Entertainers.
A. Any person desirous of being engaged as an adult
entertainer must first secure an "adult entertainment permit."
Application shall be made to the City's department of code
compliance. The director of code compliance and business licenses
shall approve the application and issue the permit, unless grounds
exist for denial under Section 5.88.130.
B. The requirement that adult entertainers obtain adult
entertainment permits shall become effective 180 days after the
effective date of this ordinance.
C. An application for adult entertainment permit shall
include the following:
1. Name, including all names, nicknames, and aliases by
which the applicant has been known; and residence addresses for the
last three years;
2. Social security number, driver's license number, if
any, and date of birth;
3. Applicant's weight, height, color of hair and eyes,
and sex;
4. Written evidence that the applicant is at least 18
years of age;
5. A complete statement of all convictions of specified
criminal activity or of this ordinance;
6. Fingerprints of the applicant by the police
department;
7. Two front -faced portrait photographs taken within
thirty days of the date of application and at least two inches by
two inches in size;
RWH58091 -19 -
Ordinance No. 770
8. Authorization for the City, its agents and employees
to seek information and conduct an investigation into the truth of
the statements set forth in the application;
9. Written declaration by the applicant, under penalty
of perjury, that the foregoing information contained in the
application is true and correct, said declaration being duly dated
and signed in the City.
5.88.130 Denial, suspension, revocation of permit.
A. The city manager or director of code compliance, as
appropriate, shall deny, suspend or revoke any permit applied for,
or issued under this chapter, if he or she finds and determines
that:
1. The business as conducted by permittee, its agent(s)
or employee(s), or any person(s) connected or associated with the
permittee as general partner, limited partner, director, officer,
stockholder owning not less than ten percent of the stock of the
corporation, general manager or other person(s), who is exercising
managerial authority of, or on behalf of permittee acting under the
authority of such permit, does not comply with all applicable laws,
including but not limited to the City's building, zoning and health
regulations; or
2. Permittee, its agents or employee(s), or any person
connected or associated with the permittee as general partner,
limited partner, director, officer, stockholder owning not less
than ten percent of the stock of the corporation or general manager
or other person(s), who is exercising managerial authority of, or
on behalf of permittee, acting under the authority of such permit,
has:
a. Knowingly procured such permit by false state-
ments, representations or nondisclosure of a material fact when
such fact would have constituted good cause for denying the
application for such permit or any document required by the City in
conjunction therewith, or
b. Ceased to meet any of the requirements for
issuance of a permit, or
C. Failed to enforce any of the regulations set
forth in this chapter or to cooperate with the police department by
promptly reporting any fight, brawl or other unlawful activities
occurring on the premises, or
d. Done any act involving dishonesty, fraud or de-
ceit with the intent to substantially benefit himself, herself or
another, or substantially injure another, or
RWH58091 -2 0-
Ordinance No. 770
e. Been convicted of a specified criminal act.
"Conviction" shall mean a plea or verdict of guilty or conviction
following a plea of nolo contendere, unless the conviction was so
remote in time as to indicate that the applicant has been
rehabilitated, or such individual has presented evidence to the
chief of police which shows to the satisfaction of the chief of
police that the individual has been rehabilitated,
f. Such denial may be made only if the act or
crime referred to in subsection "d" or "e" hereinabove must be
substantially related to the qualifications, functions or duties of
a person engaged in the business or practice of an adult
entertainment establishment;
3. The premises for which the permit was issued is
being operated in an illegal or disorderly manner, or
4. Noise from the establishment for which the permit
was issued interferes with the peace and quiet of the neighborhood.
B. If a permit is denied or revoked, the City or director of
code compliance shall promptly give the applicant notice thereof
and the findings for such denial. The applicant aggrieved by the
action of the city manager or director may appeal by filing a
written appeal within ten (10) days of the notice of denial, with
the city clerk. The city council shall set a time and place for
the public hearing. The decision of the city council shall be
final.
5.88.140 Inspection required.
The City police shall from time to time make inspection of
each adult entertainment establishment for the purposes of
determining that the provisions of this chapter are fully complied
with. It is unlawful for any permittee to fail to allow such
inspection officer access to the premises or hinder such officer in
any manner.
5.88.150 Violation -- penalties.
Any person violating any of the provisions, or failing to
comply with any of the requirements, of this chapter shall be
guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof, shall be
punishable by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars, or by
imprisonment in the county jail for a period of not more than six
months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Each day a
violation is committed or permitted to continue shall constitute a
separate offense.
5.88.160 Other remedies.
RWH58091 - 21-
Ordinance No. 770
The provisions of Sections 5.88.120 and 5.88.170 of this
chapter are to be construed as added remedies and not in conflict
or derogation of any other actions or proceedings or remedies
otherwise provided by law.
5.88.170 Conducting business as a nuisance.
Any adult entertainment establishment operated, conducted or
maintained contrary to the provisions of this chapter 'shall •be and
the same is declared to be unlawful and a public nuisance, and the
City attorney may, in addition to or in lieu of prosecuting a
criminal action, in accordance with Title 1 of this code, commence
an action(s) or proceeding(s) for the abatement, removal or
enjoinment thereof, in the manner provided by law; and shall take
such other steps and shall apply to such court(s) as may have
jurisdiction to grant such relief as will abate or remove such
businesses and restrain and enjoin any person from operating, con-
ducting or maintaining an adult entertainment establishment
contrary to the provisions of this Chapter.
5.88.180 Sale or transfer or change of location.
Upon sale, transfer or relocation of an adult entertainment
establishment, the permit therefor shall be null and void unless
approved as provided in Section 5.88.120; provided, however, that
upon the death or incapacity of the permittee, heir or devisee of
a deceased permittee, or any guardian of an heir or devisee of a
deceased permittee, may continue the adult entertainment
establishment for a reasonable period of time not to exceed sixty
days to allow for an orderly transfer of the permit.
5.88.190 Transfer of permit.
No permit shall be transferable except with the consent of the
city manager. An application for such transfer shall be in writing
and shall be accompanied by fees prescribed in Section 5.88.030.
The written application for such transfer shall contain the same
information as requested herein for initial application for the
permit.
5.88.200 Regulations pertaining to exhibition of sexually explicit
films or videos in video booths.
A. A person who operates or causes to be operated an adult
entertainment establishment, other than an adult motel or hotel and
regardless of whether or not a permit has been issued to said
business under this Chapter, which exhibits on the premises in a
viewing room of less than one hundred fifty (150) square feet of
floor space, a film, video cassette or other video reproduction
RWH5M1 -2 2 -
Ordinance No. 770
which depicts specified sexual activities or specified anatomical
areas, shall comply with the following requirements:
1. Upon application for an adult entertainment
establishment permit, the application shall be accompanied by a
diagram of the premises showing a plan thereof specifying the
location of one or more manager's stations, the location of all
overhead lighting fixtures and designating any portion of the
premises in which patrons will not be permitted. A manager's
station may not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet of floor area.
The diagram shall also designate the place at which this permit
will be conspicuously posted, if granted. A professionally
prepared diagram in the nature of an engineer's or architect's
blueprint shall not be required; however, each diagram should be
oriented to the north or to some designated street or object and
should be drawn to a designated scale with marked dimensions
sufficient to show the various internal dimension of all areas of
the interior of the premises to an accuracy of plus or minus six
(6) inches. The City or its designee, may waive the foregoing
diagram for renewal applications if the applicant adopts a diagram
that was previously submitted and certifies that the configuration
of the premises has not been altered since it was prepared.
2. The application shall be sworn to be true and
correct by the applicant.
3. No alteration in the configuration or location of a
manager's station may be made without the prior approval of the
City or its designee.
4. It is the duty of the owners and operator of the
premises to insure that at least one employee is on duty and
situated at each manager's station at all times that any patron is
present inside the premises.
5. The interior of.the premises shall be configured in
such a manner that there is an unobstructed view from a manager's
station of every area of the premises to which any patron is
permitted access for any purpose, excluding restrooms. Restrooms
may not contain video reproduction equipment. If the premises has
two or more manager's stations designated, then the interior of the
premises shall be configured in such a manner that there is an
unobstructed view of each area of the premises to which any patron
is permitted access for any purpose from at least one of the
manager's stations. The view required in this subsection must be
by direct line of sight from the manager's station.
6. It shall be the duty of the owners and operator, and
it shall also be the duty of any agents and employees present on
the premises to insure that the view area specified in Subsection
5 remains unobstructed by any doors, walls, merchandise, display
racks or other materials at all times and to insure that no patron
is permitted access to any area of the premises which has been
RWH58091 -2 3 -
Ordinance No. 770
designated as an area in which patrons will. not be permitted in the
application filed pursuant to Subsection 1 of this Section.
7. No viewing room may be occupied by more than one
person at any one time.
8. The premises shall be equipped with overhead
lighting fixtures of sufficient intensity to illuminate every place
to which patrons are permitted access and an illumination of not
less than seven and one half (7.5) foot candle as measured at the
floor level.
9. It shall be the duty of the owners and operator and
it shall also be the duty of any agents and employees present on
the premises to insure that the illumination described above is
maintained at all times that any patron is present on the premises.
10. It shall be the duty of the owners and operator, and
every person in charge of the business premises, and the duty of
any agents and employees present on the premises, to maintain the
walls or partitions between booths in good repair at all times,
with no holes between any two booths such as would allow viewing
from one booth into another or such as to allow physical contact of
any kind between the occupants of any two such booths; provided,
however, that if the configuration approved by the city permits an
opening between the floor and the bottom portion of any such wall
or partition, it shall be sufficient compliance if the entire wall
or partition, as approved by the City, is maintained in good
condition and repair, without holes or other openings in such wall
or partition which would permit viewing or physical contact between
occupants of adjacent booths.
11. It shall be the duty of the owners and operator, and
of every person in charge of the business premises, and the duty of
any agents and employees, to prevent customers or visitors from
loitering, standing idly by in the vicinity of any such video
booths, or from remaining in the common area of such business,
other than the restrooms, who are not then actively engaged in
shopping for or viewing the products available on display for
purchase or viewing; all such owners, operators, persons in charge,
and their agents and employees shall have the duty to have posted
and keep posted in prominent places in and near the video booths,
signs prohibiting loitering, and shall be responsible for
enforcement of such prohibitions.
12. The owners, operator and every person in charge of
the business premises shall be responsible for maintaining the
floors, seats, walls and other interior portions of all video
booths clean and free from waste and bodily secretions. Presence
of human excrement, urine, semen or saliva in any such booth shall
be evidence of improper maintenance and inadequate sanitary
controls; repeated instances of such conditions may justify
RWH58091 -2 4 -
Ordinance No. 770
suspension or revocation of the owners' and operator's license to
conduct the adult entertainment establishment.
B. It shall be unlawful and a person having a duty under
Section 5.88.200(A) commits a misdemeanor if he or she knowingly
fails to fulfill that duty.
5.88.210 Regulations pertaining to adult entertainers.
A. An adult entertainer, while engaged as an adult
entertainer, and while nude or semi-nude, shall not approach any
person other than another licensed adult entertainer to within six
feet of that person, as measured from the shortest distance between
the adult entertainer and such person. This prohibition shall not
apply in any establishment licensed to sell alcoholic beverages to
the extent that such prohibition is preempted by state law.
B. An adult entertainer shall have in his or her immediate
possession his or her adult entertainer permit at all times while
engaged as an adult entertainer and shall produce such permit on
demand to properly identified authorities.
5.88.220 Hours of operation.
A. It shall be unlawful and a person commits a misdemeanor
if he or she operates or causes to be operated an adult
entertainment establishment, regardless of whether or not a permit
has been issued for said business under this Chapter, and allows
such business to remain open for business, or to permit any
employee to engage in a performance, solicit a performance, make a
sale, solicit a sale, provide a service, or solicit a service,
between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. of any particular day.
B. It shall be unlawful and a person commits a misdemeanor
if, working as an employee of an adult entertainment establishment,
regardless of whether or not a permit has been issued for said
business under this Chapter, said employee engages in a
performance, solicits a performance, makes a sale, solicits a sale,
provides a service, or solicits a service between the hours of 1:00
a.m. and 9:00 a.m. of any particular day.
5.88.230 Public nudity at adult entertainment establishments is
prohibited.
A. Public nudity is prohibited at adult entertainment
establishments, whether or not alcoholic beverages are sold, served
or consumed on the premises. Any adult entertainment establishment
found to have violated this section shall have its permit suspended
or revoked.
RWH5W91 -2 5-
Ordinance No. 770
B. It is hereby further declared that Section 314,
California Penal Code, relating to lewd public nudity specifically
applies to adult entertainment establishments (regardless of
whether or not a permit has been issued to said businesses under
this Chapter), including said businesses even if no alcoholic
beverages are sold, served or consumed at the premises of said
businesses. Prosecution for violations shall be maintained under
the Penal Code by the appropriate enforcement officials.
5.88.240 Regulations not applicable to theaters, concert halls, or
similar establishments.
The regulations of this chapter shall not apply to a theater,
concert hall, or similar establishment which is primarily devoted
to theatrical performances, if such application is not provided for
by California Penal Code sections 318.5 and 318.6.
5.88.250 Severance clause.
If any section, subsection, subpart or provision of this
chapter or the application thereof to any person, property or
circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the chapter and the
application of such to other persons, properties or circumstances
shall not be affected thereby. Each provision of this Chapter
shall be construed, to the extent possible, to comply with
controlling state and federal law.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 9th day of
February , 1995, by the City Council of the City of Palm
Desert, California, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Benson, Kelly, Snyder, Spiegel, Crites
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN :None
Cit
ATfi ST
1 / i/ 119
City of Palm Desert California
f Palm Desert, California
RWH58091 -2 6-