City Tightens Control of Stripper ‘Booking’

Complaints about the recent establishment of agencies that provide or arrange adult entertainment have prompted the City Council to adopt an ordinance designed to better monitor the businesses.

In the past 18 months, two “booking agencies,” which hire or provide strippers for individuals or groups, have opened in Tustin, city officials said, and another has expressed interest in locating there.

Such agencies, according to officials, provide strippers and nude dancers for clients at their homes, private offices or motel rooms.

The services are legal, but police say they are concerned about the potential for criminal activity, including prostitution.

There have also been complaints that customers at the booking agencies, located in commercial areas, have disrupted nearby businesses.

“We have discovered, through police, citizens and nearby business owners, that people are loitering and coming and going at all hours,” City Atty. Lois Jeffrey said.

The ordinance “doesn’t mean [the agencies] can’t operate in Tustin,” she added.

“But the city should put these businesses under some control.”

Passed by a unanimous vote Monday, the ordinance imposes a license requirement on existing or new booking agencies, which will give officials the chance to check whether operators have criminal records, Jeffrey said. A conviction for an offense such as prostitution or pandering could be grounds to deny a license, Jeffrey said.

New booking agencies will need conditional use permits, she said, which would give the city more control over their locations.

The emergency ordinance takes effect immediately.