LOS ALAMITOS : Ordinance Restricts Massage Operations
New regulations on businesses offering massages, designed to give police additional tools in controlling prostitution, were approved by the City Council this week.
A background check of all prospective masseuses will be required before a license will be issued under the new ordinance. A licensing fee of $1,000 for each massage establishment owner and $500 for each additional masseuse are also required.
The increased requirements, requested by City Atty. Thomas W. Allen, were the result of an influx of acupressure clinics in the city. Such clinics have become “fronts for prostitution” in other cities, according to Police Chief James Guess.
The council, which had tentatively approved the new requirements at its Dec. 11 meeting, unanimously approved the ordinance with no further discussion on Tuesday.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
