Politics & Government
Sex-Oriented Businesses Could Cost More To Operate In Riverside County
The possible fee hikes would apply to businesses operating in unincorporated areas.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Riverside County sheriff's officials Tuesday will request that the Board of Supervisors authorize the initiation of amendments to fee schedules for processing applications to operate massage parlors, strip clubs, short-stay motels, sexually oriented bookstores and related businesses throughout unincorporated communities.
The sheriff's department noted in documents posted to the board's agenda for Tuesday the fee schedules have not been modified since the summer of 2010. The initiation of amendments to Ordinance No. 743 would permit the agency to review fees required in surrounding jurisdictions before returning to the board with a formal request for adjustments.
"There is no impact on residents and businesses at this time," according to an agency statement.
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The current fee to apply for the establishment of a massage parlor business is $595, while for other venues, the processing fee runs $3,802.
The businesses in question include partial and full nude strip clubs, motion picture theaters featuring pornography, coin-operated arcades that contain porn videos, "sex-oriented cabarets," or restaurants where topless dancing and service is provided, and bookstores peddling porn magazines, DVDs and other media.
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"Sex-oriented motels" are also included in the ordinance. They're defined as lodges where rooms regularly feature a menu of cable or satellite stations entirely oriented to porn. The motels also generally offer rooms for "a six-hour period, or rent any single room more than twice in a 24-hour period," according to the ordinance.
There was no indication of the exact number of the designated businesses that operate in unincorporated areas.
Under county zoning regulations, the designated establishments are not permitted within 1,000 feet of any grade school, religious institutions or public parks, nor within 500 feet of any residence.
Except for massage parlors and motels, the businesses covered under Ordinance No. 743 are additionally not permitted to operate between 2 a.m. and 9 a.m.
The parlors are restricted to the hours of 7 a.m. to midnight.
Sheriff's officials are expected to return to the board with proposed revised fee schedules before year's end.
