§ 14-279. Investigation of license application; inspection of premises and minimum requirements for issuance of license; identity cards.

(a)

Before granting any license, the city may investigate the fitness to conduct such business of any person, business partner or officers and directors of any corporation applying for a license. In order to determine the fitness of any applicant, licensee or employee or agent of the licensee or applicant, the city may use criminal history information furnished by criminal justice agencies. If the applicant's criminal history record is considered by the city council, the city council shall consider information provided by the applicant including, but not limited to, evidence of rehabilitation, character references and educational achievements, particularly those items pertaining to the period after the applicant's last criminal conviction and before his application for a license under this article.

(b)

Before granting any license, an inspection of the premises shall be conducted by the building inspector and the fire department. No license shall be issued unless the inspection reveals that the premises meets each of the following minimum requirements:

(1)

A recognizable and legible sign posted at a main entrance identifying the establishment as a massage parlor.

(2)

Minimum lighting in accordance with the city building code, and, in addition, an artificial light of not less than 40 watts shall be provided in each room or enclosure where massage services are performed on patrons.

(3)

Minimum ventilation in accordance with the city building code.

(4)

Adequate equipment for disinfecting and sterilizing instruments used in performing acts of massage.

(5)

Hot and cold running water available at all times.

(6)

Closed cabinets for the storage of clean linens.

(7)

Adequate bathing, dressing, locker and toilet facilities for patrons. A minimum of one tub or shower, one dressing room containing a separate locker for each patron to be served, which locker shall be capable of being locked, and a minimum of one toilet and one wash basin by every massage parlor, provided, however, that if male and female patrons are to be served simultaneously at said massage parlor, a separate massage room or rooms, separate dressing facilities, and separate toilet facilities shall be provided for male and female patrons.

(8)

All walls, ceilings, floors, pools, showers, bathtubs, steam rooms and all other physical facilities for the establishment in good repair and maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. Wet and dry heat rooms, steam or vapor rooms, or steam or vapor cabinets, shower compartments, and toilet rooms thoroughly cleaned each day the business is in operation. Bathtubs shall be thoroughly cleaned after each use.

(9)

Clean and sanitary towels and linens for each patron of the establishment. No common use of towels or linens is permitted.

(10)

A minimum of one separate washbasin for each massage establishment for the use of employees of any such establishment, with soap or detergent and hot and cold running water at all times and located within or as close as practicable to the area used for massage services. In addition, sanitary towels are placed at each washbasin in permanently installed dispensers.

(c)

Every applicant, licensee or agent or an employee of said applicant or licensee shall, prior to commencing work at the licensed premises, obtain an identity card and shall carry said identity card at all times while upon the licensed premises. The identity card shall state the full name and address of the person it identifies, the location of the massage parlor, the date the identity card was issued, and whether the person is authorized under this article to perform massages. The cost of the identity card shall be as set by resolution of the city council.

(Code 1985, § 12-9-6)