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2006 Seattle Elections General Elections Voters' Guide Referendum 1 - Adult Entertainment Regulation - Complete Text This Referendum asks voters whether they want to approve or reject Seattle City Council Ordinance #121952, which concerns the licensing and regulation of adult entertainment. Complete Text of Ordinance #121952 AN ORDINANCE relating to regulation of adult entertainment; adding new sections to the Seattle Municipal Code; and amending Sections 6.202.280, 6.202.310, 6.270.010, 6.270.030, 6.270.040, 6.270.050, 6.270.060, 6.270.070, 6.270.090, 6.270.100, 6.270.120, and 6.270.150 of the Seattle Municipal Code. WHEREAS, the operation of adult entertainment businesses has historically and regularly been accompanied by secondary effects, including prostitution and other criminal behavior, that are detrimental to the public health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of Seattle; and WHEREAS, resources available for responding to problems associated with adult entertainment businesses are limited and will be more efficiently and effectively utilized through improved regulations of adult entertainment premises; and WHEREAS, amendments to the City's adult entertainment regulations are necessary to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of Seattle; and WHEREAS, nothing in these amendments is intended to authorize activities that do not comply with other requirements of the Seattle Municipal Code, including Title 23, the Land Use Code, or other applicable law; and WHEREAS, a Clerk's File, Number 307550, has been opened as a depository for the documents, statements and other written materials received by the Council related to this ordinance; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Section 6.270.010 of the Seattle Municipal Code is amended as follows: 6.270.010 Findings of fact. Based on public testimony and other evidence and information before it, the Seattle City Council makes the following findings of fact: A. Certain conduct occurring on premises offering adult entertainment is detrimental to the public health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of the City and therefore, such conduct must be regulated as provided herein. B. Regulation of the adult entertainment industry is necessary because in the absence of such regulation significant criminal activity has historically and regularly occurred. C. It is necessary to license entertainers in the adult entertainment industry to prevent the exploitation of minors; to ensure that each such entertainer is an adult; and to ensure that such entertainers have not assumed a false name, which would make regulation of the entertainer difficult or impossible. D. It is necessary to have a licensed manager on the premises of an
establishment during the establishment's hours of operation so that there will
at all necessary times be an individual responsible for the overall operation
of the establishment, including the actions of
E. The license fees required herein are nominal fees imposed as necessary regulatory measures designed to help defray the substantial expenses incurred by the City in regulating the adult entertainment industry. F. Businesses providing adult entertainment are increasingly associated with ongoing prostitution, disruptive conduct and other criminal activity which is currently not subject to effective regulation and which constitutes an immediate threat to the public peace, health and safety. G. The City Council makes the following additional findings of fact based upon
public testimony and other evidence, information, documents and other materials
received by the City Council and included in the legislative record of Council
Bill 115326. The City Council also makes such findings having taken legislative
notice of the evidence of conduct occurring in and around adult entertainment
businesses located in other jurisdictions, which the council hereby deems to be
relevant to the experience in Seattle, as reported in judicial opinions
including but not limited to Ino Ino, Inc. v. City of Bellevue, 132 Wn.2d 103
(1997); DCR, Inc. v. Pierce County, 92 Wn. App. 660 (1998); Kev, Inc. v. Kitsap
County, 793 F.2d 1053 (9th Cir. 1986), and Colacurcio v. City of Kent, 163 F.3d
545 (9th Cir. 1998) and as reported in previous studies of the City of Seattle
and the findings of other city and county legislative bodies that have also
adopted ordinances regulating adult entertainment businesses, including, but
not limited to, the counties of King and Snohomish and the cities of Bellevue,
Burien, Des Moines, Everett, Federal Way, Kent, Lake Forest Park, Lynnwood,
Renton, Shoreline and Tukwila.
1. The operation of adult entertainment businesses has historically and
regularly been accompanied by secondary effects which are detrimental to the
public health, safety, morals and general welfare of the citizens of Seattle.
Such secondary effects include significant criminal conduct, and activities
injurious to the public health, safety, morals and general welfare of the
community, detrimental effects on nearby businesses and residential areas and a
decline in property values in the area around adult entertainment businesses.
This history of criminal and injurious activity includes prostitution,
narcotics and liquor law violations, breaches of the peace, assaults, sexual
conduct between customers and entertainers, and the opportunity for the spread
of sexually-transmitted diseases.
2. Proximity between entertainers and customers in adult clubs facilitates
sexual conduct, prostitution, transactions involving controlled substances and
other crimes. To deter such conduct and assist law enforcement in detecting it,
Seattle has required that an adult entertainer exposing nudity must be
separated from customers by performing on a stage at least eighteen inches
above the floor and at least six feet from the nearest patron. Additionally,
Seattle has historically prohibited entertainers performing "lap" or "table"
dances from engaging in sexual contact with customers. There is substantial
evidence that such prohibitions are ineffective. Lap and table dances typically
involve exposure of nudity or sexual conduct between entertainers and
customers, or both, and may also include acts of prostitution, transactions
involving controlled substances and other crimes. To effectively deter such
conduct and assist law enforcement in detecting it, it is necessary that dances
and performances by adult entertainers mingling with the public be at least
four feet from the nearest member of the public. Such a requirement is in
effect in the City of Bellevue and in other Washington cities and has been
upheld by the Washington Supreme Court as a constitutional regulation that
furthers the governmental interest in preventing sexual conduct and other
criminal conduct while still allowing an entertainer to convey an erotic
expression (see Ino Ino, Inc. v. City of Bellevue, 132 Wn.2d 103 (1997.
3. To prevent sexual conduct from occurring between entertainers and customers,
customers must be prohibited from passing tips, gratuities or other payments
directly to entertainers. Such a prohibition is in effect in King County, the
City of Kent and the City of Bellevue and has been upheld as a constitutional
regulation that furthers the governmental interest in preventing sexual contact
and other criminal conduct while still allowing an entertainer to perform (see
Ino Ino, Inc. v. City of Bellevue, 132 Wn.2d 103, 937 P.2d 154 (1997) and DCR,
Inc v. Pierce County, 92 Wn. App 660. (1998.
4. Adult entertainment businesses have historically attempted to prevent law
enforcement and licensing officials from detecting sexual conduct,
prostitution, sale and distribution of controlled substances and other
violations of law occurring on the premises by employing warning systems,
maintaining low light levels and other techniques. Some adult entertainment
businesses have erected barriers or installed seating or lounge areas which
provide visual barriers that screen activities between entertainers and members
of the public. For effective enforcement of this ordinance and protection of
the public health, safety, and general welfare, it is necessary to require that
adult entertainment businesses maintain minimum light levels and contain no
barriers which would hinder law enforcement from monitoring the activities
between adult entertainers and members of the public.
5. Resources available for responding to problems associated with adult
entertainment businesses are limited and will be more efficiently and
effectively utilized through regulations which will deter sexual contact
between adult entertainers and members of the public, including regulations
requiring minimum distance requirements between dancers and members of the
public, the absence of visual barriers, minimum lighting requirements and
tipping restrictions. Section 2. Section 6.270.030 of the Seattle Municipal Code is amended as follows: 6.270.030 Definitions. For the purposes of this chapter and unless the context plainly requires otherwise, the following definitions are adopted: A. "Adult entertainment" means any exhibition, performance or dance of any type conducted in a premises where such exhibition, performance or dance involves a person who: 1. Is unclothed or in such attire, costume or clothing as to expose to view any portion of the breast below the top of the areola or any portion of the pubic region, anus, buttocks, vulva or genitals; or 2. Touches, caresses or fondles the breasts, buttocks, anus, genitals or pubic region of another person, or permits the touching, caressing or fondling of his/her own breasts, buttocks, anus, genitals or pubic region by another person, with the intent to sexually arouse or excite another person. B. "Adult entertainment premises" means any premises to which
any member of the public C. "Department" means the Department of Executive Administration of The City of Seattle. D. "Director" means the Director of the Department of Executive Administration of The City of Seattle and shall include his or her authorized representatives. E. "Employee" means any and all persons, including managers, entertainers and independent contractors, who work in or at or render any services directly related to, the operation of an adult entertainment premises. F. "Entertainer" means any person who provides adult entertainment within an adult entertainment premises as defined in this section, whether or not a fee is charged or accepted for entertainment. G. "Entertainment" means any exhibition or dance of any type, pantomime, modeling or any other performance. H. "Manager" means any person who manages, directs, administers, or is in charge of, the affairs and/or conduct of any portion of any activity involving adult entertainment occurring at any adult entertainment premises. I. "Member of the public" means any customer, patron, club member, or person, other than an employee as defined in this section, who is invited or admitted to an adult entertainment premises.
Section 3. Section 6.270.040 of the Seattle Municipal Code is amended as follows: 6.270.040 Adult entertainment premises license. A. It is unlawful for any person to operate or maintain an adult entertainment
premises in The City of Seattle unless the owner, operator or lessee thereof
has obtained from the Director
B.
It is unlawful for any person to knowingly allow the use of his or her property
for the operation of an adult entertainment premises that is not licensed under
this chapter.
C. 6.270.050 License for managers and entertainers.
B. It is unlawful for any person to work as a manager at an adult entertainment premises without having first obtained from the Director a license to do so, to be designated as an "adult entertainment manager's license." Section 5. Section 6.270.060 of the Seattle Municipal Code is amended as follows: 6.270.060 License fees. The license year for
adult entertainment premises licenses and adult entertainment manager's
licenses
A. Adult entertainment premises license, Seven Hundred Twenty Dollars ($720.00) per year; B. Adult entertainer's license, One Hundred Forty-five Dollars ($145.00) per year; C. Adult entertainment manager's license, One Hundred Forty-five Dollars ($145.00) per year. Any adult entertainer's license issued pursuant to this chapter which is in effect prior to August 1, 2005 shall, unless suspended or revoked, continue to be in effect until December 31, 2005 and may, unless suspended or revoked, be renewed for the period January 1, 2006 to July 31, 2006, subject to the provisions of this chapter and payment of a proportional license fee for such period in the amount of Eighty-four Dollars and Fifty Cents ($84.50). Section 6. A new section is added to the Seattle Municipal Code as follows: 6.270.065 License prohibited to certain classes. No license authorized under this chapter shall be issued to:
A. A natural person who has not attained the age of eighteen (18) years.
B. A partnership, unless all of the members thereof are individually qualified
to obtain a license as provided by this chapter. Such license shall be issued
to the manager of the partnership.
C. A corporation, unless all of the officers and directors thereof are
individually qualified to obtain a license as provided by this chapter. Section 7. Section 6.270.070 of the Seattle Municipal Code is amended as follows: 6.270.070 License applications. A. Adult Entertainment Premises License. All applications for an adult
entertainment premises license shall be submitted in the name of the person
proposing to conduct such adult entertainment on the premises and shall be
signed by such person and notarized or certified as true under penalty of
perjury. All applications shall be submitted on a form supplied by the Director
1. The name, residence address, home telephone number, date and place of birth, and social security number of the applicant; 2. The business name, address and telephone number of the establishment; 3. The names, residence addresses, residence telephone numbers, social security numbers and dates of births of any partners, corporate officers and directors; 4. Such information as the Director, by rule, may require concerning the identity of corporate shareholders; 5. Addresses of the applicant for the five (5) years immediately prior to the date of application; 6. A description of the adult entertainment or similar business history of the applicant; whether such person or entity, in previously operating in this or another city, county or state, has had a business license revoked or suspended, the reason therefor, and the activity or occupation subjected to such action, suspension or revocation; 7. A description of the business, occupation, or employment of the applicant for the three (3) years immediately preceding the date of application; 8.
9. Whether the applicant has had a license under this chapter or an adult entertainment-related license issued by another jurisdiction, denied, suspended or revoked within the three (3) years immediately preceding the date of the application: and, if so, the name and location of the adult entertainment business to which the denied, suspended or revoked license pertained, the date of the action, the jurisdiction that took such action, the reason for the action, and the status of any appeal of the action. 10. Whether the applicant has been the subject of a bail forfeiture, adverse finding or conviction with local, state, or federal criminal law, other than a parking offense or traffic infraction, within the five (5) years preceding the date of the application; and, if so, the nature of the crime and the date, location and nature of the judicial action taken. 11. A failure to provide information required by this subsection will constitute an incomplete application and will not be processed. B. Manager's or Entertainer's License. All applications for an adult entertainment manager's license or adult entertainer's license shall be signed by the applicant and notarized or certified as true under penalty of perjury. All applications shall be submitted on a form supplied by the Director, and shall require the following information: 1. The applicant's name, home address, home telephone number, date and place of birth, social security number, and any stage names or nicknames used in entertaining; 2. The name and address of each business at which the applicant intends to work as a manager or entertainer; 3. The applicant shall present documentation that he or she has attained the age of eighteen (18) years. Any of the following shall be accepted as documentation of age: a. A motor vehicle operator's license issued by any state bearing the applicant's photograph and date of birth, b. A state-issued identification card bearing the applicant's photograph and date of birth, c. An official passport issued by the United States of America, d. An immigration card issued by the United States of America, e. Any other picture identification bearing the applicant's photograph and date of birth issued by a governmental agency, or f. Such other form of identification as the Director deems, by rule, to be acceptable; 4.
Whether the applicant has had a license under this chapter or
an adult entertainment-related license issued by another jurisdiction denied,
suspended or revoked within the three (3) years immediately preceding the
application; and, if so, the name and location of the adult entertainment
business to which the denied, suspended or revoked license pertained, the
jurisdiction that took such action, the reason for the action, the date of the
action and the status of any appeal of the action;
5. Whether the applicant has been the subject of a bail forfeiture, adverse
finding or conviction in connection with local, state or federal criminal law,
other than a parking offense or traffic infraction, within the five (5) years
immediately preceding the date of the application; and if so, the nature of the
crime and the date, location, and nature of the judicial action taken; and
6. C. Duty to Supplement. Each license applicant for, or holder of, a license issued under this chapter shall modify, or supplement application information, on file with the Director, within ten (10) days of a change if the information changes materially from what is stated on the applicant or holder's license application. Section 8. Section 6.270.090 of the Seattle Municipal Code is amended as follows: 6.270.090 Issuance of licenses. A.
Adult Entertainment Premises License. Within thirty (30) days of receipt by the
Director of a complete application for an adult entertainment premises license,
including all submittals and information required by this chapter, the Director
shall issue or deny the adult entertainment premises license. If the Director
fails to issue or deny the license within the thirty-day (30) period, the
license is deemed issued on the last day of the thirty-day (30) period and the
applicant may operate the adult entertainment premises for which the license
was sought, subject to all other provisions of this chapter.
B. 1.
The application does not meet the requirements of this chapter.
2.
3.
4. The applicant or his or her partner, director, or officer is currently the
subject of a final adult entertainment premises license suspension order or is
the subject of an adult entertainment premises license revocation order issued
pursuant to this chapter which became final less than one (1) year prior to the
pending application.
C. Adult Entertainment Manager's and Adult Entertainer's Licenses.
The Director shall issue or deny an adult entertainment manager's license or an
adult entertainer's license on the same business day in which a complete
application, including all submittals and information required by this chapter,
is received.
D. The Director shall deny an application for an adult entertainment manager's
license or an adult entertainer's license for any of the following reasons, and
shall notify the applicant in writing of the grounds for the denial and the
opportunity to appeal, if the Director finds:
1. The applicant is less than eighteen (18) years old;
2. The applicant has failed to provide any of the submittals or information
required to be supplied according to this chapter;
3. The applicant has knowingly made any false, misleading or fraudulent
statement or omission of material fact in the application for a license; or
4. The applicant is currently the subject of a final license suspension order
issued pursuant to this chapter or is the subject of a license revocation order
issued pursuant to this chapter which became final less than one (1) year
before the pending application.
E. If the Director denies an adult entertainment manager's license or an
adult entertainer's license authorized by this chapter, and if the applicant
files a timely notice of appeal pursuant to SMC Section 6.270.160, the Director
shall, upon receipt of a copy of such notice of appeal, immediately issue the
applicant a temporary license which shall authorize the applicant to perform as
a manager or entertainer in the same manner and subject to the same
requirements as if the license had been granted, pending the final outcome of
the appeal. A license applicant must pay the fee for an adult entertainment
manager's license or an adult entertainer's license as set forth in SMC Section
5.270.060 at the time the temporary license is issued. The holder of a
temporary license is subject to all requirements, standards and penalty
provisions of this chapter. Nothing in this section is intended to authorize
activities that do not comply with other requirements of the Seattle Municipal
Code or other applicable law. Section 9. Section 6.270.100 of the Seattle Municipal Code is amended as follows: 6.270.100 Standards of conduct and operation. A. The following standards of conduct must be adhered to by employees of any adult entertainment premises: 1. No employee or entertainer shall be unclothed, clothed in less than opaque
attire, or shall move or remove such attire, or allow such attire to be moved
or removed so as to expose to view any portion of the breast below the top of
the areola or any portion of the pubic region, anus, buttocks, vulva or
genitals, except upon a stage
as defined in SMC Section 6.270.100 B4
2. No employee or entertainer shall perform acts of or acts which simulate: a. Sexual intercourse, masturbation, sodomy, bestiality, oral copulation, flagellation, or any sexual acts which are prohibited by law; b. The touching, caressing or fondling of the breasts, buttocks or genitals; or c. The displaying of the pubic region, anus, vulva or genitals; except as provided for in subdivision 1 of this subsection. 3. No employee or entertainer mingling with
members of the
a.
b. Conduct any dance, performance or exhibition unless such dance, performance
or exhibition is performed at a distance of at least four (4) feet from the
nearest member of the public; or
c. Conduct any dance, performance or exhibition in any area described in
SMC Section 6.270.100 B3. 4. No employee or entertainer shall knowingly: a. Touch, caress or fondle the breast, buttocks, anus, genitals or pubic region of another person; or b. Permit the touching, caressing or fondling of his or her own breasts, buttocks, anus, genitals or pubic region by another person; or c. Permit any person upon the premises to touch, caress, or fondle the breasts, buttocks, anus, genitals or pubic region of another person. 5. No manager or operator shall knowingly permit any person upon the premises to touch, caress, or fondle the breasts, buttocks, anus, genitals or pubic region of another person. 6. No employee or entertainer shall wear or use any device or covering exposed to view which simulates the breast below the top of the areola, vulva or genitals, anus, buttocks, or any portion of the pubic region. 7. No employee or entertainer shall use artificial devices or inanimate objects to depict any of the prohibited activities described in this subsection. 8. No entertainer of any adult entertainment premises shall be visible from any public place during the hours of his or her employment, or apparent hours of his or her employment, on the premises. 9. No entertainer shall solicit, demand or receive any payment or gratuity from
any
10. No entertainer shall demand or collect any payment or gratuity from any
11.
a. Not permitted to engage in any type of sexual conduct;
b. No employee or entertainer shall be unclothed, clothed in less than opaque
attire, or shall move or remove such attire, or allow such attire to be moved
or removed so as to expose to view any portion of the breast below the top of
the areola or any portion of the pubic region, anus, buttocks, vulva or
genitals, except upon a stage at least eighteen inches (18") above the
immediate floor level and removed at least six feet (6') from the nearest
patron.
c. Not permitted to demand or collect any payment or gratuity from any
patron for entertainment before its completion.
B. At any adult entertainment premises, the following are required: 1. Neither the performance nor any photograph, drawing, sketch or other pictorial or graphic representation thereof displaying any portion of the breasts below the top of the areola or any portion of the pubic hair, buttocks, genitals and/or anus may be visible outside of the adult entertainment premises. 2. Sufficient lighting shall be provided
3. No entertainment shall be provided in any area 4. A stage, for any performance described in SMC Section 6.270.100 A1. Such
stage shall be at least eighteen (18) inches in elevation above the level of
the patron seating areas and shall be separated by a distance of at least six
(6) feet from all areas of the premises to which the members of the public have
access. A continuous railing, at least three (3) feet in height and located at
least six (6) feet from all points of the stage, shall separate the stage from
seating areas for members of the public.
5. The stage must be visible immediately upon entering the premise's seating
area, and, at all times, be visible to a manager. Visibility shall not be
blocked or obstructed by a door, curtain, drape or any other obstruction.
6. A sign shall be conspicuously displayed in the common area of the premises,
and shall read as follows:
THIS ADULT ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENT IS REGULATED BY THE CITY OF
SEATTLE.
a. Entertainers are not permitted to engage in any type of sexual conduct;
b. No employee or entertainer shall be unclothed, clothed in less than opaque
attire, or shall move or remove such attire, or allow such attire to be moved
or removed so as to expose to view any portion of the breast below the top of
the areola or any portion of the pubic region, anus, buttocks, vulva or
genitals, except upon a stage at least eighteen (18) inches above the immediate
floor level and removed at least six (6) feet from the nearest member of the
public.
c. Entertainers are not permitted to demand or collect any payment or gratuity
from any member of the public for entertainment before its completion.
d. Entertainers are not permitted to accept any form of gratuity directly from
a member of the public. Any gratuity offered to any entertainer must be placed
into a receptacle for receipt of gratuities provided by the adult entertainment
establishment or offered through a manager on duty on the premises.
e. Entertainers mingling with the public may not conduct any dance, performance
or exhibition unless such dance, performance or exhibition is performed at a
distance of at least four (4) feet from the nearest member of the public.
7. Each adult entertainment premises licensee and each adult
entertainment manager shall have a duty to ensure that all standards of conduct
and facilities requirements set forth in this section and all other
requirements of this chapter regarding the operation of adult entertainment
premises are complied with at all times. 8. Each adult entertainment premises licensee shall conspicuously display and enforce a standard of conduct applicable to members of the public while they are on the premises. The Director shall promulgate implementing regulations, including required content of the standard of conduct, required content and method of the display, and the required manner of enforcement of the standard of conduct by adult entertainment premises licensees. C. This chapter shall not be construed to prohibit protected expression, such as: 1. Plays, operas, musicals, or other dramatic works that are not obscene; 2. Classes, seminars and lectures held for serious scientific or educational purposes that are not obscene; or 3. Exhibitions, performances, expressions or dances that are not obscene. D. For purposes of this chapter, an activity is "obscene" if: 1. Taken as a whole by an average person applying contemporary community standards the activity appeals to a prurient interest in sex; 2. The activity depicts patently offensive representations, as measured against community standards, of: a. Ultimate sexual acts, normal or perverted, actual or simulated, or b. Masturbation, fellatio, cunnilingus, bestiality, excretory functions, or lewd exhibition of the genitals or genital area; or violent or destructive sexual acts, including but not limited to human or animal mutilation, dismemberment, rape or torture; and 3. The activity taken as a whole lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. E. No manager, owner, entertainer or employee shall operate or maintain any warning procedures or device, of any nature or kind, for the purpose of warning any other person that police officers or City health, fire, licensing or building inspectors are approaching or have entered the adult entertainment premises.
Section 10. A new section is added to the Seattle Municipal Code as follows: 6.270.115 Unlawful Acts
It is unlawful for any person to violate any of the provisions of this
chapter. Section 11. Section 6.270.120 of the Seattle Municipal Code is amended as follows: 6.270.120 Manager on premises. A. A licensed manager shall be on duty at an adult entertainment premises during the adult entertainment premises' hours of operation. The name of the manager on duty shall be prominently posted during business hours. B. Any adult entertainment premises found to be operating without a manager on duty shall be immediately closed until a licensed manager arrives for duty at the adult entertainment premises pursuant to Section 6.270.120 A. C. The manager shall verify that each entertainer performing while the manager is on duty possesses a current and valid entertainer's license, as required by this chapter. The manager shall verify that such adult entertainment license is posted in the manner required by Section 6.270.110. D. A manager shall not perform as an entertainer on days during which he or she acts as manager on duty at an adult entertainment establishment. Section 12. A new section is added to Chapter 6.270 of the Seattle Municipal Code as follows: 6.270.125 Permission to Inspect.
An adult entertainment premises licensee and its manager shall permit
the Director and personnel from the Seattle Police Department to conduct
announced inspections, during hours that the adult entertainment premises is
open to the public, of all exterior and interior areas of the premises open to
and used by members of the public and of all books and records required to be
kept under this chapter. The purpose of such inspections is to determine
whether the premises are being operated in compliance with the provisions of
this chapter. Section 13. A new section is added to Chapter 6.270 of the Seattle Municipal Code as follows: SMC 6.270.135 Nonpublic Areas.
No member of the public shall be permitted to enter into any of the
nonpublic portions of the adult entertainment establishment, which shall
include but are not limited to: the dressing rooms of entertainers or other
rooms provided for the benefit of employees, and the kitchen and storage areas;
except that persons delivering goods and materials, food and beverages, or
performing maintenance or repairs to the premises or equipment on the premises
may be permitted into nonpublic areas to the extent required to perform their
job duties. Section 14. Section 6.270.150 of the Seattle Municipal Code is amended as follows: 6.270.150 Suspension or revocation of
A. The premises licensee permitted or authorized his or her employees, agents,
entertainers or managers to violate any of the provisions of this chapter; or
B. The adult entertainment manager permitted or authorized any violation
of any of the provisions of this chapter by any person. A. The Director may suspend or revoke a license issued under this chapter in
accordance with the following:
1. If a licensee obtained or renewed a license through a false, misleading or
fraudulent omission or statement of material fact either on the application for
the license or the license renewal, the license shall be revoked;
2. If a licensee violates any other provision of this chapter, the license
shall be:
a. Suspended for thirty (30) days for a first violation.
b. Suspended for ninety (90) days for a second violation within any twenty-four
(24) month period.
c. Revoked for a third violation within any twenty-four (24) month period.
3. Time spent serving a suspension is not counted in determining the
twenty-four (24) month period referred to in subsection A2 of this section.
4. For an adult entertainment premises licensee, a violation for which
an adult entertainment premises license may be suspended or revoked includes a
violation of this chapter by a manager, employee, agent, entertainer or any
other person, occurring on the premises when the adult entertainment premises
licensee knew of or should have known of the violation. 5. For an adult entertainment manager licensee, a violation for which an adult
entertainment manager's license may be suspended or revoked includes a
violation of this chapter by an adult entertainer or other person when the
adult entertainment manager knew of or should have known of the violation.
6. If a licensee is convicted of committing a crime or offense involving one of
the following occurring on the premises of an adult entertainment
establishment, the license shall be revoked:
a. A violation of RCW 9A.88 030, 9A.88.070, 9A.88.080 or 9A.88.090;
b. A violation of SMC Sections 12A.10.020 or 12A.10.060;
c. A transaction involving a controlled substance as defined in chapter 69.50
RCW: or
d. A violation of chapter 9A.44 RCW, Sex Offenses or chapter 9.68A RCW, Sexual
Exploitation of Children.
B. For an adult entertainment premises licensee, a conviction for which
the adult entertainment premises license may be revoked includes the conviction
of a manager, employee, agent or entertainer for a crime or offense listed in
subsection A6 of this section occurring on the premises of the adult
entertainment establishment when the adult entertainment premises licensee knew
of or should have known of the crime or offense. C. For an adult entertainment manager licensee, a conviction for which the adult
entertainment manager's license may be revoked includes the conviction of an
employee or entertainer for a crime or offense listed in subsection A6 of this
section occurring on the premises of the adult entertainment establishment when
the adult entertainment manager licensee knew of or should have known of the
crime or offense.
D. A licensee whose license has been revoked is not eligible to reapply for any
license authorized by this chapter for one year following the date the decision
to revoke is final.
E. On receipt of a notice of suspension or revocation, the license holder shall
promptly deliver the license to the Director unless an appeal is pending under
this chapter. Upon expiration of a license suspension, the Director shall
return the license to the license holder.
F. For purposes of this section, a person "should have known" of a crime or
offense or violation of this chapter, when the person has information which
would lead a reasonable person to believe that a crime or offense or violation
of this chapter is occurring or will occur.
G. If the Director determines that a condition exists on an adult
entertainment premises which constitutes a threat of immediate serious injury
or damage to a person or property, the Director may immediately suspend an
adult entertainment premises license. The Director shall issue a notice setting
forth the basis for the action and the facts that constitute a threat of
immediate serious injury or damage to a person or property. Section 15. A new section is added to Chapter 6.270 if the Seattle Municipal Code as follows: 6.270.170 Public Nuisance. An adult entertainment premises operated, conducted or maintained in violation of this chapter or any law of the City of Seattle or the State of Washington shall be, and the same is, declared to be unlawful and a public nuisance. The City Attorney may, in addition to, or in lieu of, any other remedies set forth in this chapter, commence an action to enjoin, remove or abate such nuisance and may take such other steps and apply to such court or courts as may have jurisdiction to grant such relief as will abate or remove such public nuisance, and restrain and enjoin any person from operating, conducting or maintaining an adult entertainment premises contrary to the provisions of this chapter. Section 16. Section 6.202.280 of the Seattle Municipal Code is amended as follows: 6.202.280 Continuation of business while complaint hearing decision pending A. Except in the case of summary suspension or revocation, whenever a timely request for hearing on a complaint is filed, a licensee or an applicant for license renewal may engage in the activity for which the license is required, pending decision by the Hearing Examiner. An applicant not licensed in the preceding license year may not engage in the activity for which the license is required pending decision by the Hearing Examiner. Nothing in this section is intended to authorize activities that do not comply with other requirements of the Seattle Municipal Code or other applicable law. B. If the Department denies an adult entertainment license governed by SMC Chapter 6.270, and if the license applicant files a notice of appeal with the Hearing Examiner, the Director shall immediately issue the license applicant a temporary license. The temporary license shall authorize the license applicant to operate an adult entertainment establishment or perform as a manager or entertainer, in the same manner as if the license had been granted, pending the Hearing Examiner's decision. 1. If the Hearing Examiner affirms the Director's license denial, the temporary license shall remain in effect pending a motion for reconsideration before the Hearing Examiner and, in addition (a) if the license applicant does not timely file for judicial review, then only until the expiration of the time allowed to file an application for a writ of review under Chapter 7.16 RCW; or (b) if the license applicant does timely file an application for a writ of review, then only until the court either issues a writ or denies the writ application. 2. If the Hearing Examiner dismisses the adult entertainment license denial with prejudice, the Department shall immediately issue an adult entertainment license. 3. If the Hearing Examiner dismisses the adult entertainment denial without prejudice, the temporary license shall remain in effect for five (5) additional business days, at the end of which time the Department must either reissue a denial or issue an adult entertainment license. If the Director reissues the denial, then the temporary license will continue in effect according to the procedures set forth in subsection B of this section. 4. Notwithstanding SMC Section 6.202.210, if a license applicant is issued a temporary license, the license applicant shall pay the fee charged for an adult entertainment license under SMC Section 6.270.060 at the time the applicant receives the temporary license. If the temporary license issued under this subsection is still in effect at the end of a calendar year, then the license applicant must pay the fee charged for an adult entertainment license under SMC Section 6.270.060 for the next calendar year. Section 17. Effective Dates for Specified Provisions. A. The following provisions of Section 9 of this ordinance shall take effect as provided in this section -- provisions that would amend SMC Section 6.270.100 by: 1. adding new Subsections A.3.b and A.3.c; 2. amending Subsection A.10; 3. amending Subsection B.2; 4. amending Subsection B.3; 5. adding new Subsections B.4 and B.5; 6. adding new Subsections B.6.d and B.6.e; and, 7. adding a new Subsection B.8. B. The provisions identified above shall take effect 150 days after the effective date of this ordinance, or 30 days after the Chair of the City Council Urban Development and Planning Committee certifies to the City Clerk that the Executive has transmitted to the City Council proposed legislation to amend the Land Use Code provisions regarding adult entertainment premises, whichever is later. In order to be so certified, such proposed legislation shall include an identification of zones in which the use is permitted, and location criteria including provisions such as minimum proposed distances between licensed adult entertainment premises and single family residential zones, schools, churches, and other licensed adult entertainment premises. Section 18. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty (30) days from and after its approval by the Mayor, but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten (10) days after presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Municipal Code Section 1.04.020. |
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