NEWPORT BEACH : City Tightens Rules on Massage Shops

The City Council this week gave final approval to new rules that will make it tougher to obtain operating permits for new massage shops and easier for the city to revoke those permits.

The council on Monday unanimously approved the ordinance as part of its continuing campaign to crack down on prostitution rings that use the shops as fronts for illegitimate activity.

An attorney representing about half of the city’s independent operators said earlier that his clients were generally pleased with the regulations. But he said his clients remain concerned about rules expected to be added to the ordinance in coming months when the council further tightens city control on the businesses.

City staff and the city attorney’s office have said further changes are expected. The city attorney said the city wants to have an ordinance in place to work in conjunction with recently approved zoning changes that regulate the locations of the shops.

One change added Monday requires shop operators to have only one restroom instead of two if their business is considered a small shop.

In general, the new rules require owners to take more responsibility for actions at their shops and make it easier for the city to revoke permits of those shop owners who are not operating legitimately.

Also, the city now requires extensive background and employment history checks of massage shop employees and will also hold shop managers accountable for actions at the shop when the owner is away.

Further, the city will require background information on the business itself, and will require that the property owner acknowledge that a massage shop is operating on the property.

The new rules allow the city to suspend or revoke the permits of both the shop operator and the massage technician and offers operators 15 days to appeal the city’s decision.

The new ordinance is effective 30 days from council’s vote.