NEWPORT BEACH : Council May Act on Massage Shops

The City Council today may make the final decision on a new massage shop ordinance that would regulate new and existing businesses.

The plan has been months in the making and, if passed, would repeal the current moratorium on the opening of new massage businesses. City officials hope that the law will eliminate massage shops that front for prostitution.

Under the new plan, the city would restrict the shops as to location and would require existing businesses to comply with the new rules or shut down.

Under the proposal, shops would not be allowed within 500 feet of another shop or of a school, church or civic center. However, the shops would be allowed with a use permit in certain areas zoned for light commercial or residential use, areas that had been excluded under previous ordinances.

Existing shops would have one year to comply with the new rules and could appeal for extensions to the Planning Commission.

There are 43 licensed massage shops in the city, more than in any other city in the county, and 27 of these would be affected by the new ordinance.

If the council passes the ordinance, it will take effect in 30 days, at which time the more than yearlong moratorium on new massage shops will be lifted.