Ordinance 1684ORDINANCE NO. 1684
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON,
REGULATING AND LICENSING PUBLIC MASSAGE PARLORS,
BODY PAINTING STUDIOS, PUBLIC BATHHOUSES, AND
LICENSING THEIR EMPLOYEES; DEFINING OFFENSES AND
FIXING PENALTIES.
WHEREAS, it has been necessary from time to time for the
City of Edmonds to enact ordinances for the protection of the
health, welfare, safety and morals of the citizens of the City
of Edmonds, and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that certain practices and
conditions associated with public massage, bathhouse, and body
painting businesses are injurious to the public health and the
public morals and that regulations and the licensing of such
establishments and their employees is necessary in the interest
of the public welfare of the citizens of the City of Edmonds;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS,
WASHINGTON, DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. A new chapter, Chapter 4.50, entitled Licensing
of Public Massage Parlors, Body Painting Studios and Public
Bathhouses is hereby created.
Section 2. 4.50.010 Definitions
For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms, words
and phrases shall have the following meanings:
(1) "Massage" means the treatment to the body of
another person by rubbing, kneading, hitting
or any other manipulation, including the use
of equipment, machinery, or appliances in
connection with the foregoing.
(2) "Massage Parlor" means any place where mas-
sages are given or furnished for, or in
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expectation of, any fee, compensation or
monetary consideration.
(3) "Body Painting Studio" means the operation of
a business where paint, powder, or similar
material is applied to the body of another
person with the hands or the use of equipment
or appliances in connection with the foregoing.
(4) "Public Bathhouse" means any place where baths
or facilities for baths of any kind whatever
are given or furnished and the terms shall
include but not be limited to: Finnish baths;
Russian baths; Suana baths; Swedish baths;
Turkish baths; baths by hot air, steam, vapor,
water or electric cabinet; PROVIDED, that such
term shall not include ordinary tub or shower
baths where attendant is not required.
(5) "Person" means any individual, firm partner-
ship, association, company, or organization
of any kind.
(6) "Masseur or Masseuse" means a person engaged
in the practice of massage and shall be referred
to herein only as "Masseur."
(7) "Body Painting Studio Attendant" means any
person who administers to, or performs services
for, patrons of a body painting studio or who
supervises the work of another person admin-
istering to or performing services for such
patrons. The term does not include a person
who performs only custodial or janitorial work.
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(8) "Massage Parlor Attendant" means any person
who administers to, or performs services for,
patrons of a massage parlor or who supervises
the work of a masseur or masseuse or other
person administering to, or performing services
to such patrons. The term does not include a
person who performs only custodial or janitorial
work.
(9) "Public Bathhouse Attendant" means any person
who administers to, or performs services for,
patrons of a public bathhouse or who super-
vises the work of such a person. The term
does not include a person who performs only
custodial or janitorial work.
Section 3. 4.50.020 Exemptions
The provisions of this Ordinance do not apply to:
(1) Persons giving massage treatments or baths
in a private residence or a nonprofit bona -
fide charitable private social or athletic
club not open to the public generally;
(2) Athletic coaches or trainers affiliated with
public or private educational institutions
or athletic organizations;
(3) Students enrolled in schools of massage per-
forming such practices of massage as are
incidental to their course of study.
The provisions of this Ordinance shall not apply to massage
treatments given in any hospital, duly licensed nursing or
convalescent home, or by physical therapists duly licensed, who
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treat patients only upon written prescription of a licensed
doctor of medicine, or by any other person licensed by the State
of Washington to treat the sick, injured, or infirm, or by any
nurse under the direction of a person so licensed.
Licensed beauty operators and barbers who perform only
such acts of massage as are customarily given in beauty salons
and barber shops for purposes of beautification only are also
exempt from the provisions of this Ordinance.
Section 4. 4.05.030 License Required - Massage Parlor,
Body Painting Studio, Public Bathhouse
It shall be unlawful to conduct, operate, or maintain
a massage parlor, body painting studio, or public bathhouse
unless such establishment or premises be licensed as hereinafter
provided.
Section 5. 4.05.040 Fees - Disbursement
The fee for such license and renewal of same, as required
by 4.50.030, shall be and is hereby fixed in the sum of two
hundred twenty-five ($225) per year. Such fee is not refundable.
The purpose of such fee shall be as follows:
(1) The Chief of Police's investigation of the
applicant and the statements made in the
application.
(2) The City Planner's determination of compliance
with the zoning code and the building code.
(3) The Fire Chief's determination of compliance
with regulations of the fire prevention code.
(4) The Chief of Police's further investigation
and inspection of premises defined in this
chapter at any reasonable time.
(5) The City Clerk's issuance of such license.
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Section 6. 4.05.050 Application for and Renewal of
License - Massage Parlor, Body Painting Studio, Public Bathhouse
No license or renewal of license to conduct a massage parlor,
body painting studio, or public bathhouse shall be issued or
renewed except upon written application to the City Clerk which
shall be signed and sworn to by the person who intends to conduct,
operate or maintain a massage parlor, body painting studio, or
public bathhouse. Such application shall contain the following
information:
(1) The true name, home address, telephone number
and the age of the applicant.
(2) The business name, business address, and
telephone number of the establishment or
proposed establishment.
(3) Whether the applicant is a sole proprietor-
ship, partnership or corporation. If a
partnership, the application shall set forth
names, addresses and telephone numbers of
all persons, whether general or limited
partners, sharing in the profits of said
business and the respective ownership share
of each. If a corporation, it shall set
forth the name, residence address and
telephone number of each of its officers,
directors and shareholders, and the number
of shares held by each. It shall set forth
all persons having any interest in the real
or personal property at the premises, and
any persons sharing in the proceeds of the
business.
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(4) How long applicant (if corporation, its
officers, or if partnership, its partners)
have resided in the City of Edmonds.. If not
a resident of the City of Edmonds continu-
ously for the last five years, previous
addresses during that period.
(5) Whether the applicant or anyone owning an
interest in the business or proposed business
has ever been convicted or forfeited bail to
any crime, excluding minor traffic offenses.
If so, state the crime, the name of the court
in which the case was filed, the circumstances
and the disposition of the case.
(6) If applicant is a sole proprietorship or a
partnership, stating whether the proprietor
or the partners are of legal age.
(7) The principal business of the proprietor of
the proposed establishment if a sole proprietor-
ship, if a partnership, the principal occupation
of all partners; if a corporation, the principal
business enterprises of such corporation.
(8) Three 2" x 2" black and white photographs of
the applicant, or in the case of a firm, the
party signing the application, taken within six
months of the date of the application, showing
only the full face of such applicants. The
three 2" x 2" black and white photographs shall
be provided at the applicant's expense. The
license, when issued, shall have affixed to it
such photograph of the applicant, or the party
signing the application, and such license shall
be posted and displayed in a conspicuous place
in the establishment where such license is en-
joyed, at all times, and such license shall not
be tampered with in any manner.
(9) Such applicants, or party signing the applica-
tion, shall also be required to submit to
fingerprinting by the Police Department, and
such fingerprints shall be retained in the
application file, a copy of which will be for-
warded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation,
Identification Bureau.
(10) All assumed names or aliases which have been
or are used by any person whose name appears
on the application.
(11) Such other information as the City Clerk may
reasonably require in connection with the application.
Section 7. 4.50.060 Public Officials - Duties
Upon filing of an application under this chapter, the City
Clerk shall forward copies to the Chief of Police, the City
Planner, the Fire Chief, and the Building Inspector:
(1) Within 30 days after receipt of a copy of the
application, the Chief of Police shall inves-
tigate the statements set forth in the appli-
cation and report to the City Clerk whether
the application contains false, misleading or
incomplete information.
(2) Within 30 days after receipt of a copy of the
application, the City Planner shall inspect
the proposed establishment and report to the
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City Clerk whether the location of the
proposed establishment is in conformity
with the regulations of the zoning code.
(3) Within 30 days after receipt of a copy of
the application, the Fire Chief shall examine
the proposed establishment and report to
the City Clerk whether it complies with the
regulations of the fire prevention code.
(4) Within 30 days after receipt of a copy of
the application, the Building Inspector shall
examine the proposed establishment and report
to the City Clerk whether it complies with
the regulations of the building code.
Section 8. 4.50.070 Application for and Renewal of License -
Massage Parlor, Body Painting Studio, Public Bathhouse - Health
Authority Approval
No license or renewal of license to conduct a massage
parlor, body painting studio, or public bathhouse shall be
issued or renewed without first having had such inspection and
approval as shall be required by the county health authority
having jurisdiction over the matter.
Section 9. 4.50.080 License Required- Masseur, Massage
Parlor Attendant, Body Painting Studio Attendant, Public Bathhouse
It shall be unlawful for any person to perform in any
establishment defined in this chapter as a masseur, massage
parlor attendant, body painting studio attendant, or public
bathhouse attendant unless that person be licensed as herein-
after provided.
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Section 10. 4.50.090 Fees '- Disbursement
The fee for such license, as required by 4.50.080, shall
be and is hereby fixed in the sum of Ten Dollars ($10.00)per
year. The fee is not refundable. The purpose of such fee
shall be as follows:
(1) The Chief of Police's investigation of the
applicant and the statements made in the
application.
(2) The City Clerk's issuance of such license.
Section 11.
4.50.100 Application for and Renewal of License
Masseur, Massage Parlor Attendant, Body Painting Studio Attendant,
Public Bathhouse Attendant
No license or renewal of license to perform as a masseur,
massage parlor attendant, body painting studio attendant, or
public bathhouse attendant shall be issued or renewed except
upon written application to the City Clerk which shall be signed
and sworn to by the applicant. Such application shall contain
the following information:
(1) The true name, home address, telephone number
and age of applicant.
(2) How long applicant has resided in the City of
Edmonds, and the previous residence or
residences for five years preceding the date
of application.
(3) Whether the applicant has been convicted of,
or forfeited bail to any crime, excluding
minor traffic offenses, and if so, state the
crime, the name of the court in which the
case was filed, and the circumstances and
disposition of the case.
(4) Whether the applicant is suffering, or has
in the past suffered, from any contagious
or communicable disease.
(5) Present and previous occupation or occupa-
tions of the applicant for the preceding five
years, and the place of employment.
(6) The name of the establishment where the
applicant intends to work.
(7) At the time of applying for said license,
the applicant shall furnish a photograph of
applicant and be fingerprinted by the Police
Department.
(8) All assumed names or aliases which have
been or are used by the applicant.
(9) Such other information as the City Clerk
may reasonably require in connection with
the application.
Section 12. 4.50.110 Public Officials -'Duties
Within 30 days after receipt of the employee application,
the Chief of Police shall investigate the statements contained
therein and advise the City Clerk whether it contains false,
misleading or incomplete information.
Section 13.
4.50.120 Application for and Renewal of License
Masseur, Massage Parlor Attendant, Body Painting Studio Attendant,
Public Bathhouse Attendant - Health Authority Approval
No license or renewal of license to perform as a masseur,
massage parlor attendant, body painting studio attendant, or
public bathhouse attendant shall be issued or renewed without
first having had such examination and approval as shall be
required by the county health authority having jurisdiction
over the matter.
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Section 14. 4.50.130 City Clerk to Issue Licenses
(1) Massage Parlor, Body Painting Studio and Public
Bathhouse License - If from the information
supplied the City Clerk it appears that the
application and the premises are fit and proper,
that the statements contained in the applica-
tion are true, that the applicant or the owners
of the applicant firm have not been convicted
of a felony or any crime involving moral turpi-
tude and that the applicant has complied with
all the requirements of this Ordinance, the
City Clerk shall issue a business license to
the applicant, otherwise the license applica-
tion shall be denied.
(2) Masseur, Massage Parlor Attendant, Body Paint-
ing Studio Attendant, Public Bathhouse Attendant
License - If, from the information supplied
the City Clerk, it appears that the applicant
does not pose a threat to the health of others,
that the statements contained in the application
are true, that the applicant has not been convicted
of a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude
and that the applicant has complied with all the
requirements of this Ordinance, the City Clerk
shall issue a license to the applicant; other-
wise, the license application shall be denied.
(3) The photograph(s) shall appear on all licenses
issued to applicants pursuant to this Ordinance.
(4) No person shall operate a massage parlor, body
painting studio or public bathhouse, or engage
in practice as a masseur, massage parlor attendant,
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body painting studio attendant, or public
bathhouse attendant until a license has been
approved in the manner specified by this
Ordinance.
(5) No massage business license shall be issued
for a business premises presently under
suspension pursuant to action under this
Ordinance, nor for a period of six (6) months
following the date of a revocation pursuant
to the terms of this Ordinance.
Section 15.
4.50.140 Denial of License'- Hearing
Any applicant whose application has been denied may, within
ten days following notification of the denial, file a petition
for a hearing with the City Council. The City Council shall set
a hearing date within thirty days of receiving such request.
Section 16. 4.50.150 Liquor, Controlled Substances -
Prohibited (Exceptional)
(1) Liquor, as that term is defined by the Wash-
ington State Alcoholic Beverage Control Act,
shall not be distributed or consumed on any
premises under regulation by this Ordinance,
unless the premises are licensed to serve the
same by the Washington State Liquor Control
Board.
(2) Controlled Substances, as defined by the Wash-
ington State Uniform Controlled Substances
Act, and/or Ordinances of the City of Edmonds,
shall not be distributed or consumed on any
premises under regulation by this Ordinance.
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Section 17. 4.50.160 Hours
All massage businesses shall be closed, and all service
performed therein discountinued, between the hours of 3 o'clock
a.m. and 8 o'clock a.m.
Section 18.
Penalty
4.50.170 Duty to Report Change Iof Employment -
Massage Parlor Attendants, Body Painting Studio Attendants,
Public Bathhouse Attendants, and Masseurs must keep the City
Clerk informed of any change of employment. Failure to report a
change in employment may result in a 30-day license suspension.
Section 19.
to be Kept
4.50.180 List of Services - Required; Records
A list of all services offered with a brief description of
what the service entails, along with the cost for such service,
must be posted in a prominent place. All business transactions
with customers must be conducted in accordance with the posted
list of services. Daily records must be kept of the number of
customers, the time of the service, and the amount of money paid
by these customers for services, including gratuities. Such
records shall be open to inspection by the Police Department at
all reasonable times.
Section 20. 4.50.190 Prohibited Activity
It shall be unlawful for any owner, proprietor, manager,
employee, or agent of any facility to intentionally touch or
manipulate the genitals of a customer in any manner, and such
activity shall be grounds for revocation of the business license,
as well as the employee license, whether the owner knew of, or
encouraged the act, or whether the customer requested or
acquiesced in the act.
Section 21.
4.50.200 Employees
It shall be unlawful for any owner, proprietor, manager,
or person in charge of any facility regulated by this Ordinance,
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to employ in such establishment any person under the age of
eighteen (18) years of age and without good moral character.
Section 22.
4.50.210 Unlawful to Employ Unlicensed Person
It shall be unlawful for any owner, proprietor, manager
or person in charge of any facility regulated by this Ordinance,
to employ in such establishment, any person who does not have
a valid employee license issued pursuant to this Ordinance.
Section 23. 4.50.220 Unlawful to Admit Certain Persons
It shall be unlawful for the owner, proprietor, manager
or person in charge of any facility regulated by this Ordinance
or any employee or agent of such establishment to admit anyone
under the age of eighteen (18) years of age and permit them to
remain in or about such premises, unless such person under the
age of eighteen (18) years is accompanied by his or her parent
or legal guardian, or to knowingly harbor, admit, receive or
permit to be or remain in or about such premises, any prostitute,
lewd or dissolute person, or any drunk or boisterous person, or
any person under the influence of any controlled substance, or
any person who, by his conduct on such premises, tends in any
way to corrupt the public morals.
Section 24. 4.50.230 Unlawful to Advertise Without License
It shall be unlawful to advertise the services of any
establishment or employee as herein defined not licensed according
to the provisions of this Ordinance.
Section 25.
4.50.240 Premises to be Open for Inspection
Any person making application for a license under the pro-
visions of this chapter shall be deemed to have given consent to
the entry of the premises for which application is made for
inspection by any of the officials designated herein to perform
such inspection. A refusal of such entry shall result in a
denial or revocation of the business license.
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Section 26. 4.50.250 Suspension or Revocation of Licenses -
Grounds
(1) Massage Parlor, Body Painting Studio, and Public
Bathhouse License - The City Clerk may suspend
or revoke any license issued under the provisions
of this Ordinance at any time where the same was
procured by fraud or false representation of
facts; or violation of, or failure to comply
with, any provisions of this Ordinance by the
person holding such license or any of his
servants, agents, or employees; or of the con-
viction of the person holding such license of
a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude.
(2) Masseurs, Body Painting Studio Attendants,
Massage Parlor Attendants and Public Bath-
house Attendants License - The City Clerk may
suspend or revoke any license issued to any
employee under the provisions of this Ordinance
at any time where the same was procured by
fraud or false representation of facts; or for
violation of, or failure to comply with, the
provisions of this Ordinance by the person
holding such license, or the conviction of
said person of a felony or crime involving
moral turpitude.
(3) Request for Hearing - When the City Clerk
determines that there is cause for suspending
or revoking any license issued pursuant to
this Ordinance, he shall notify the person
holding said license by certified mail of his
decision. Notice mailed to the last business
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address on file shall constitute sufficient
notice. The notice shall specify the grounds
for the suspension or revocation, and the same
shall become effective 10 days from the date
the notice is delivered unless the person
affected thereby files a written request for
a hearing with the City Council within such
period. The City Council shall set a hearing
date within thirty days following receipt of
such request. In the event the person does
not request a hearing within the aforementioned
period, the license of said person shall be
suspended or revoked as provided in the notice
served upon him.
Section 27. 4.50.260 Term of License - Renewal
Licenses issued pursuant to this Ordinance shall be valid
for one year following the date of issuance, and may be renewed
by following the same procedure specified for filing the original
application. Licenses issued pursuant to this Ordinance shall
not be assigned or transferred from one holder or place to
another.
Section 28. 4.50.270 License to be Displayed
Licenses required by this Ordinance, both for premises and
employees, shall be displayed in a conspicuous place for public
inspection.
Section 29.
4.50.280 Penalty
Any person convicted of a violation of this Ordinance shall
be guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be punished by a fine of
not more than two hundred and fifty dollars or by imprisonment for
not more than ninety (90) days in the county jail, or by both
such fine and imprisonment.
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Section 30. 4.50.290 B'eyerability
If any section, subsection,,sentence, clause, phrase or
portion of this Ordinance is for any reason held invalid or un-
constitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such
portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent
provision and such holding shall not affect the validity of the
remaining portions of this Ordinance.
r `
MAYOR
ATTEST:
City Clerk
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: October 23, 1973
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: October 9, 1973
PUBLISHED: October 31, 1973
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