Bondage Parlor Wins Zoning Permit in North Hollywood

City officials Monday approved a zoning permit allowing a long-established bondage parlor to operate in a former bakery in North Hollywood, the first such permit for a sadomasochist establishment.

“The Club, Chateau,” will be granted a conditional use permit, but must abide by 19 rules to ensure that “whatever goes on inside can’t be heard outside,” said Andrew B. Sincosky, an associate Los Angeles zoning administrator.

Chateau patrons pay $100 for 30-minute “submission and dominance” sessions with female “mistresses,” which can include the client or a female employee being bound with chains or ropes and perhaps whipped.

The Chateau moved into the unused bakery in an industrial North Hollywood neighborhood in March after zoning regulations forced it to move from a house in Hollywood.

The business has used at least two other locations over 15 years, according to owner James D. Hillier, but has not had zoning permits. Other businesses classed as “adult entertainment” have been granted such permits, but not sadomasochistic parlors, Sincosky said.

At a public hearing last month, issuance of the permit was opposed by residents of a nearby mobile home park, local police and members of the Living Word, a religious organization that owns a building across the street.

Members of the Living Word and an aide to Councilman Joel Wachs said the club violated a city ordinance prohibiting adult entertainment establishments within 500 feet of a residential neighborhood or church.

But Sincosky determined that the building owned by the Living Word, which houses a studio that produces religious music and literature, is not a church under city law and that the mobile home park does not qualify as a residential neighborhood. “I had no choice but to approve it,” he said.

Wachs’ aide, Tom Henry, said the councilman would support any appeal of the decision by residents. “There have already been problems and they’ve only been there for six months,” Henry said. “I’ve gotten one complaint of people seeing women outside with whips hitting the ground.”

Under the conditions of the permit, noise must not be audible outside, the club must have two security guards on duty and no alcohol can be served.