75C - PH MASSAGE MORATORIUM - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

review of Chapter 22 of the Code should to determine how it should be amended to fully protect the City. E. Without adoption of this ordinance, properties in the City would quickly receive entitlements to establish massage parlors, expand existing massage parlors or persons would obtain permits to operate as massage technicians, despite the fact that the city council has determined that the Code is in need of updating and has directed that a study be done to recommend new standards and revise the Code to address concerns created by new and expanded permits for massage related activities. F. In all of calendar year 2006, the City received only seven applications for massage related permits. G. But in the month prior to the adoption of Ordinance No. NS-2744 alone, over 23 individuals sought applications for massage related permits from the City. H. This upswing closely followed the March 2007 raid by the Orange County District Attorney and the police departments of Orange and Anaheim of ten facilities (massage parlors or acupuncture clinics) in Anaheim, Orange, Tustin and Dana Point as being alleged fronts for prostitution. I. While some massage parlors are beneficial to the community and offer needed services, others in southern California have been associated with a number of detrimental impacts such as prostitution, late hours of operation, reduced property values and noise. J. Chapter 22 of the Code, which regulates massage establishments and massage technicians and is enforced by the Police Department, has been substantially unchanged since 1976. For comparison, Anaheim, Orange and Costa Mesa have all updated their massage regulations within the last four years. K. If massage parlors are permitted in the City and left as currently regulated, they will pose a serious threat to the public interest, health, safety and welfare for the reasons stated above. L. In order to prevent frustration of said studies and the implementation thereof, the public interest, health, safety and welfare require the immediate enactment of this ordinance. The absence of this ordinance would create a serious threat to the orderly and effective implementation of any code amendments or general plan amendments which may be adopted by the city as a result of the studies in that the establishment or construction of massage parlors may be in conflict with or frustrate the contemplated updates and revisions to the Code, general plans or specific plans. Moreover, permitting massage parlors to be established or expanded, or new massage technicians Ordinance No. NS - XXXX Page 2 of 5 75C-4