Appendix A: Community Defense Counsel Sample Comprehensive SOB Ordinance

 

            ORDINANCE NO.  _____________                 

 

            AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE BY DISPERSING SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESSES AND LIMITING THEM TO A SPECIFIED ZONING DISTRICT; PRESCRIBING DEFINITIONS OF SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESSES; PROVIDING FOR LICENSING AND REGULATION OF SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESSES AND EMPLOYEES; AND PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS FOR SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESSES.

 

            WHEREAS, sexually oriented businesses require special supervision from the public safety agencies of the City in order to protect and preserve the health, safety, morals and welfare of the patrons of such businesses as well as the citizens of the City; and

 

            WHEREAS, the City Council finds that sexually oriented businesses are frequently used for unlawful sexual activities, including prostitution and sexual liaisons of a casual nature; and

 

            WHEREAS, the concern over sexually transmitted diseases is a legitimate health concern of the City which demands reasonable regulation of sexually oriented businesses in order to protect the health and well-being of the citizens; and

 

            WHEREAS, licensing is a legitimate and reasonable means of accountability to ensure that operators of sexually oriented businesses comply with reasonable regulations and to ensure that operators do not knowingly allow their establishments to be used as places of illegal sexual activity or solicitation; and

 

            WHEREAS, there is convincing documented evidence that sexually oriented businesses, because of their very nature, have a deleterious effect on both the existing businesses around them and the surrounding residential areas adjacent to them, causing increased crime and the downgrading of property values; and

 

            WHEREAS, it is recognized that sexually oriented businesses, due to their nature, have serious objectionable operational characteristics, particularly when they are located in close proximity to each other, thereby contributing to urban blight and downgrading the quality of life in the adjacent area; and

 

            WHEREAS, the City Council desires to minimize and control these adverse effects and thereby protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizenry; protect the citizens from increased crime; preserve the quality of life; preserve the property values and character of surrounding neighborhoods and deter the spread of urban blight; and

 

            WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that locational criteria alone do not adequately protect the health, safety, and general welfare of the people of this City; and

 

            WHEREAS, it is not the intent of this ordinance to suppress any speech activities protected by the First Amendment, but to enact a content neutral ordinance which addresses the secondary effects of sexually oriented businesses; and

 

            WHEREAS, it is not the intent of the City Council to condone or legitimize the distribution of obscene material, and the Council recognizes that state and federal law prohibits the distribution of obscene materials and expects and encourages state law enforcement officials to enforce state obscenity statutes against any such illegal activities in the City.

 

            Pursuant to the authority granted by the Constitution and the legislature of the State of

 

                             , BE IT ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF

 

__________________________,_________________________COUNTY, _________________                                         :

 

SECTION I.  PURPOSE AND FINDINGS.

 

            (A)       Purpose.  It is the purpose of this ordinance to regulate sexually oriented businesses in order to promote the health, safety, morals, and general welfare of the citizens of the City, and to establish reasonable and uniform regulations to prevent the deleterious location and concentration of sexually oriented businesses within the City.  The provisions of this ordinance have neither the purpose nor effect of imposing a limitation or restriction on the content of any communicative materials, including sexually oriented materials.  Similarly, it is not the intent nor effect of this ordinance to restrict or deny access by adults to sexually oriented materials protected by the First Amendment, or to deny access by the distributors and exhibitors of sexually oriented entertainment to their intended market.  Neither is it the intent nor effect of this ordinance to condone or legitimize the distribution of obscene material.

 

            (B)       Findings.  Based on evidence concerning the adverse secondary effects of adult uses on the community presented in hearings and in reports made available to the Council, and on findings incorporated in the cases of City of Renton v. Playtime Theatres, Inc., 475 U.S. 41 (1986), Young v. American Mini Theatres, 426 U.S. 50 (1976), Barnes v. Glen Theatre, Inc., 501 U.S. 560 (1991), City of Erie v. Pap’s A.M., TDA “Kandyland”, 529 U.S. 277 (2000), and City of Los Angeles v. Alameda Books, Inc. 121 S. Ct. 1223 (2001) and on studies in other communities including, but not limited to, Phoenix, Arizona; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Houston, Texas;  Indianapolis, Indiana; Amarillo, Texas; Garden Grove, California; Los Angeles, California; Whittier, California; Austin, Texas;  Seattle, Washington; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Cleveland, Ohio;  and Beaumont, Texas;  and also on findings from the Report of the Attorney General's Working Group On The Regulation Of Sexually Oriented Businesses, (June 6, 1989, State of Minnesota), the Council finds:

 

                        (1)        Sexually oriented businesses lend themselves to ancillary unlawful and unhealthy activities that are presently uncontrolled by the operators of the establishments.  Further, there is presently no mechanism to make the owners of these establishments responsible for the activities that occur on their premises. 

 

                        (2)        Certain employees of sexually oriented businesses defined in this ordinance as adult theatres and cabarets engage in higher incidence of certain types of illicit sexual behavior than employees of other establishments.

 

                        (3)        Sexual acts, including masturbation, and oral and anal sex, occur at sexually oriented businesses, especially those which provide private or semi-private booths or cubicles for viewing films, videos, or live sex shows.

 

                        (4)        Offering and providing such space encourages such activities, which creates unhealthy conditions. 

 

                        (5)        Persons frequent certain adult theatres, adult arcades, and other sexually oriented businesses for the purpose of engaging in sex within the premises of such sexually oriented businesses.

 

                        (6)        At least 50 communicable diseases may be spread by activities occurring in sexually oriented businesses, including, but not limited to, syphilis, gonorrhea, human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV-AIDS), genital herpes, hepatitis B, Non A, Non B amebiasis, salmonella infections and shigella infections. 

 

                        (7)        Since 1981 and to the present, there has been an increasing cumulative number of reported cases of AIDS caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the United States -- 600 in 1982, 2,200 in 1983, 4,600 in 1984, 8,555 in 1985 and 253,448 through December 31, 1992.

 

                        (8)        As of  _________________, 200_, there have been

                                                     reported cases of AIDS in the State of                       .

 

                        (9)        Since 1981 and to the present, there have been an increasing cumulative number of persons testing positive for the HIV antibody test in                                

,                                      .

 

                        (10)      The number of cases of early (less than one year) syphilis in the United States reported annually has risen, with 33,613 cases reported in 1982 and 45,200 through November of 1990.

 

                        (11)      The number of cases of gonorrhea in the United States reported annually remains at a high level, with over one-half million cases being reported in 1990. 

 

                        (12)      The surgeon general of the United States in his report of October 22, 1986, has advised the American public that AIDS and HIV infection may be transmitted through sexual contact, intravenous drug abuse, exposure to infected blood and blood components, and from an infected mother to her newborn.

 

                        (13)      According to the best scientific evidence, AIDS and HIV infection, as well as syphilis and gonorrhea, are principally transmitted by sexual acts. 

 

                        (14)      Sanitary conditions in some sexually oriented businesses are unhealthy, in part, because the activities conducted there are unhealthy, and, in part, because of the unregulated nature of the activities and the failure of the owners and the operators of the facilities to self-regulate those activities and maintain those facilities.

 

                        (15)      Numerous studies and reports have determined that semen is found in the areas of sexually oriented businesses where persons view "adult" oriented films.

 

                        (16)      The findings noted in paragraphs number 1 through 15 raise substantial governmental concerns.

 

                        (17)      Sexually oriented businesses have operational characteristics which should be reasonably regulated in order to protect those substantial governmental concerns.

 

                        (18)      A reasonable licensing procedure is an appropriate mechanism to place the burden of that reasonable regulation on the owners and the operators of the sexually oriented businesses.  Further, such a licensing procedure will place a heretofore nonexistent incentive on the operators to see that the sexually oriented business is run in a manner consistent with the health, safety and welfare of its patrons and employees, as well as the citizens of the City.  It is appropriate to require reasonable assurances that the licensee is the actual operator of the sexually oriented business, fully in possession and control of the premises and activities occurring therein.

 

                        (19)      Removal of doors on adult booths and requiring sufficient lighting on premises with adult booths advances a substantial governmental interest in curbing the illegal and unsanitary sexual activity occurring in adult theatres.

 

                        (20)      Requiring licensees of sexually oriented businesses to keep information regarding current employees and certain past employees will help reduce the incidence of certain types of criminal behavior by facilitating the identification of potential witnesses or suspects and by preventing minors from working in such establishments.

 

                        (21)      The disclosure of certain information by those persons ultimately responsible for the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the sexually oriented business, where such information is substantially related to the significant governmental interest in the operation of such uses, will aid in preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. 

 

                        (22)      It is desirable in the prevention of the spread of communicable diseases to obtain a limited amount of information regarding certain employees who may engage in the conduct which this ordinance is designed to prevent or who are likely to be witnesses to such activity.

 

                        (23)      The fact that an applicant for an adult use license has been convicted of a sexually related crime leads to the rational assumption that the applicant may engage in that conduct in contravention of this ordinance.

 

                        (24)      The barring of such individuals from the management of adult uses for a period of years serves as a deterrent to and prevents conduct which leads to the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. 

 

                        (25)      The general welfare, health, morals and safety of the citizens of the City will be promoted by the enactment of this ordinance.

 

SECTION II.  DEFINITIONS.

 

                        (1)        ADULT ARCADE means any place to which the public is permitted or invited wherein coin-operated, slug-operated, or for any form of consideration, or electronically, electrically, or mechanically controlled still or motion picture machines, projectors, video or laser disc players, or other image-producing devices are maintained to show images to five or fewer persons per machine at any one time, and where the images so displayed are distinguished or characterized by the depicting or describing of "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas."

 

                        (2)        ADULT BOOKSTORE, ADULT NOVELTY STORE OR ADULT VIDEO STORE means a commercial establishment which, as one of its principal purposes, offers for sale or rental for any form of consideration any one or more of the following:

 

                                    (a)        books, magazines, periodicals or other printed matter, or photographs, films, motion pictures, video cassettes or video reproductions, slides, or other visual representations which are characterized by the depiction or description of "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas"; or

 

                                    (b)        instruments, devices, or paraphernalia which are designed for use in connection with "specified sexual activities."

 

                        A commercial establishment may have other principal business purposes that do not involve the offering for sale or rental of material depicting or describing "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas" and still be categorized as ADULT BOOKSTORE, ADULT NOVELTY STORE, or ADULT VIDEO STORE.  Such other business purposes will not serve to exempt such commercial establishments from being categorized as an ADULT BOOKSTORE, ADULT NOVELTY STORE, or ADULT VIDEO STORE so long as one of its principal business purposes is the offering for sale or rental for consideration the specified materials which are characterized by the depiction or description of "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas."

 

                        (3)        ADULT CABARET means a nightclub, bar, restaurant, or similar commercial establishment which regularly features:

 

                                    (a)        persons who appear in a state of nudity or semi-nude; or

 

                                    (b)        live performances which are characterized by the exposure of "specified anatomical areas" or by "specified sexual activities"; or

 

                                    (c)        films, motion pictures, video cassettes, slides or other photographic reproductions which are characterized by the depiction or description of "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas."

 

                        (4)        ADULT MOTEL means a hotel, motel or similar commercial establishment which:

 

                                    (a)        offers accommodations to the public for any form of consideration; provides patrons with closed-circuit television transmissions, films, motion pictures, video cassettes, slides, or other photographic reproductions which are characterized by the depiction or description of "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas"; and has a sign visible from the public right of way which advertises the availability of this adult type of photographic reproductions; or

 

                                    (b)        offers a sleeping room for rent for a period of time that is less than ten (10) hours; or

 

                                    (c)        allows a tenant or occupant of a sleeping room to subrent the room for a period of time that is less than ten (10) hours.

 

                        (5)        ADULT MOTION PICTURE THEATER means a commercial establishment where, for any form of consideration, films, motion pictures, video cassettes, slides, or similar photographic reproductions are regularly shown which are characterized by the depiction or description of "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas."

 

                        (6)        ADULT THEATER means a theater, concert hall, auditorium, or similar commercial establishment which regularly features persons who appear in a state of nudity or semi-nude, or live performances which are characterized by the exposure of "specified anatomical areas" or by "specified sexual activities."

 

                        (7)        EMPLOYEE means a person who performs any service on the premises of a sexually oriented business on a full-time, part-time or contract basis, whether or not the person is denominated an employee, independent contractor, agent or otherwise and whether or not said person is paid a salary, wage or other compensation by the operator of said business.  Employee does not include a person exclusively on the premises for repair or maintenance of the premises or equipment on the premises, or for the delivery of goods to the premises.

 

                        (8)        ESCORT means a person who, for consideration, agrees or offers to act as a companion, guide, or date for another person, or who agrees or offers to privately model lingerie or to privately perform a striptease for another person.

 

                        (9)        ESCORT AGENCY means a person or business association who furnishes, offers to furnish, or advertises to furnish escorts as one of its primary business purposes for a fee, tip, or other consideration.

 

                        (10)      ESTABLISHMENT means and includes any of the following:

 

                                    (a)        the opening or commencement of any sexually oriented business as a new business;

                                    (b)        the conversion of an existing business, whether or not a sexually oriented business, to any sexually oriented business;

                                    (c)        the additions of any sexually oriented business to any other existing sexually oriented business; or

                                    (d)        the relocation of any sexually oriented business.

 

                        (11)      LICENSEE means a person in whose name a license to operate a sexually oriented business has been issued, as well as the individual listed as an applicant on the application for a license; and in the case of an employee, a person in whose name a license has been issued authorizing employment in a sexually oriented business.

 

                        (12)      NUDE MODEL STUDIO means any place where a person who appears semi-nude, in a state of nudity, or who displays "specified anatomical areas"  and is provided to be observed, sketched, drawn, painted, sculptured, photographed, or similarly depicted by other persons who pay money or any form of consideration.  Nude Model Studio shall not include a proprietary school licensed by the State of                                           or a college, junior college or university supported entirely or in part by public taxation; a private college or university which maintains and operates educational programs in which credits are transferable to a college, junior college, or university supported entirely or partly by taxation; or in a structure:

 

                                    (a)        that has no sign visible from the exterior of the structure and no other advertising that indicates a nude or semi-nude person is available for viewing; and

                                    (b)        where in order to participate in a class a student must enroll at least three days in advance of the class; and

                                    (c)        where no more than one nude or semi-nude model is on the premises at any one time.

 

                        (13)      NUDITY or a STATE OF NUDITY means the showing of the human male or female genitals, pubic area, vulva, anus, anal cleft or cleavage with less than a fully opaque covering, the showing of the female breast with less than a fully opaque covering of any part of the nipple, or the showing of the covered male genitals in a discernibly turgid state.

 

                        (14)      PERSON means an individual, proprietorship, partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity.

 

                        (15)      SEMI-NUDE or in a SEMI-NUDE CONDITION means the showing of the female breast below a horizontal line across the top of the areola at its highest point or the showing of the male or female buttocks.  This definition shall include the entire lower portion of the human female breast, but shall not include any portion of the cleavage of the human female breast, exhibited by a dress, blouse, skirt, leotard, bathing suit, or other wearing apparel provided the areola is not exposed in whole or in part.

 

                        (16)      SEXUAL ENCOUNTER CENTER means a business or commercial enterprise that, as one of its principal business purposes, offers for any form of consideration:

 

                                    (a)        physical contact in the form of wrestling or tumbling between persons of the opposite sex; or

                                    (b)        activities between male and female persons and/or persons of the same sex when one or more of the persons is in a state of nudity or semi-nude.

 

                        (17)      SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESS means an adult arcade, adult bookstore, adult novelty store, adult video store, adult cabaret, adult motel, adult motion picture theater, adult theater, escort agency, nude model studio, or sexual encounter center.

 

                        (18)      SPECIFIED ANATOMICAL AREAS means:

 

                                    (a)        the human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state, even if completely and opaquely covered; or

                                    (b)        less than completely and opaquely covered human genitals, pubic region, buttocks or a female breast below a point immediately above the top of the areola.

 

                        (19)      SPECIFIED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY means any of the following offenses:

 

                                    (a)        prostitution or promotion of prostitution; dissemination of obscenity; sale, distribution or display of harmful material to a minor; sexual performance by a child; possession or distribution of child pornography; public lewdness; indecent exposure; indecency with a child; engaging in organized criminal activity; sexual assault; molestation of a child; gambling; or distribution of a controlled substance; or any similar offenses to those described above under the criminal or penal code of other states or countries;

 

                                    (b)        for which:

 

                                                (1)        less than two years have elapsed since the date of conviction or the date of release from confinement imposed for the conviction, whichever is the later date, if the conviction is of a misdemeanor offense;

                                                (2)        less than five years have elapsed since the date of conviction or the date of release from confinement for the conviction, whichever is the later date, if the conviction is of a felony offense; or

                                                (3)        less than five years have elapsed since the date of the last conviction or the date of release from confinement for the last conviction, whichever is the later date, if the convictions are of two or more misdemeanor offenses or combination of misdemeanor offenses occurring within any 24-month period.

 

                                    (c)        The fact that a conviction is being appealed shall have no effect on the disqualification of the applicant or a person residing with the applicant.

 

                        (20)      SPECIFIED SEXUAL ACTIVITIES means any of the following:

 

                                    (a)        the fondling or other erotic touching of human genitals, pubic region, buttocks, anus, or female breasts;

                                    (b)        sex acts, normal or perverted, actual or simulated, including intercourse, oral copulation, masturbation, or sodomy; or

                                    (c)        excretory functions as part of or in connection with any of the activities set forth in (a) through (b) above.

 

                        (21)      SUBSTANTIAL ENLARGEMENT of a sexually oriented business means the increase in floor areas occupied by the business by more than twenty-five percent (25%), as the floor areas exist on the date this ordinance takes effect.

 

                        (22)      TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OR CONTROL of a sexually oriented business means and includes any of the following:

 

                                    (a)        the sale, lease, or sublease of the business;

                                    (b)        the transfer of securities which constitute a controlling interest in the business, whether by sale, exchange, or similar means; or

                                    (c)        the establishment of a trust, gift, or other similar legal device which transfers the ownership or control of the business, except for transfer by bequest or other operation of law upon the death of the person possessing the ownership or control.

 


SECTION III.  CLASSIFICATION.

 

            Sexually oriented businesses are classified as follows:

 

                        (1)        adult arcades;

                        (2)        adult bookstores, adult novelty stores, or adult video stores;

                        (3)        adult cabarets;

                        (4)        adult motels;

                        (5)        adult motion picture theaters;

                        (6)        adult theaters;

                        (7)        escort agencies;

                        (8)        nude model studios; and

                        (9)        sexual encounter centers.

 

SECTION IV.  LICENSE REQUIRED.

 

            (A)       It is unlawful:

 

                        (1).       For any person to operate a sexually oriented business without a valid sexually oriented business license issued by the City pursuant to this ordinance.

                        (2).       For any person who operates a sexually oriented business to employ a person to work for the sexually oriented business who is not licensed as a sexually oriented business employee by the City pursuant to this ordinance.

                        (3).       For any person to obtain employment with a sexually oriented business without having secured a sexually oriented business employee license pursuant to this ordinance.

 

            (B)       An application for a license must be made on a form provided by the City.

 

            (C)       All applicants must be qualified according to the provisions of this ordinance.  The application may request and the applicant shall provide such information (including fingerprints) as to enable the City to determine whether the applicant meets the qualifications established in this ordinance.

 

            (D)  A person, who wishes to operate a sexually oriented business, must sign the application for a license as an applicant. If a person other than an individual wishes to operate a sexually oriented business, all persons legally responsible for the operations of the sexually oriented business or who have power to control or direct its operations must sign the application for a license as applicant. Such persons include, but are not limited to, general partners, corporate officers, corporate directors, and controlling shareholder(s). Each application must be qualified under the following section and each applicant shall be considered a licensee if a license is granted.

 

            (E)       The completed application for a sexually oriented business license shall contain the following information and shall be accompanied by the following documents:

 

                        (1)        If the applicant is:

 

                                    (a)        an individual, the individual shall state his/her legal name and any aliases and submit proof that he/she is 18 years of age;

                                    (b)        a partnership, the partnership shall state its complete name, and the names of all partners, whether the partnership is general or limited, and a copy of the partnership agreement, if any;

                                    (c)        a corporation, the corporation shall state its complete name, the date of its incorporation, evidence that the corporation is in good standing under the laws of its state of incorporation, the names and capacity of all officers, directors and controlling stockholders, and the name of the registered corporate agent and the address of the registered office for service of process.

 

                        (2)        If the applicant intends to operate the sexually oriented business under a name other than that of the applicant; he or she must state 1) the sexually oriented business's fictitious name and 2) submit the required registration documents.

 

                        (3)        Whether the applicant, or a person residing with the applicant, has been convicted of a specified criminal activity as defined in this ordinance, and, if so, the specified criminal activity involved, the date, place, and jurisdiction of each.

 

                        (4)        Whether the applicant, or a person residing with the applicant, has had a previous license under this ordinance or other similar sexually oriented business ordinances from another city or county denied, suspended or revoked, including the name and location of the sexually oriented business for which the permit was denied, suspended or revoked, as well as the date of the denial, suspension or revocation, and whether the applicant or a person residing with the applicant has been a partner in a partnership or an officer, director or principal stockholder of a corporation that is licensed under this ordinance whose license has previously been denied, suspended or revoked, including the name and location of the sexually oriented business for which the permit was denied, suspended or revoked as well as the date of denial, suspension or revocation.

 

                        (5)        Whether the applicant or a person residing with the applicant holds any other licenses under this ordinance or other similar sexually oriented business ordinance from another city or county and, if so, the names and locations of such other licensed businesses.

 

                        (6)        The single classification of license for which the applicant is filing.

 

                        (7)        The location of the proposed sexually oriented business, including a legal description of the property, street address, and telephone number(s), if any.

 

                        (8)        The applicant's mailing address and residential address.

 

                        (9)        A recent photograph of the applicant(s).

 

                        (10)      The applicant's driver's license number,

 

                        (11)      A sketch or diagram showing the configuration of the premises, including a statement of total floor space occupied by the business.  The sketch or diagram need not be professionally prepared, but it must be drawn to a designated scale or drawn with marked dimensions of the interior of the premises to an accuracy of plus or minus six (6) inches.

 

                        (12)      A current certificate and straight-line drawing prepared within thirty (30) days prior to application by a registered land surveyor depicting the property lines and the structures containing any existing sexually oriented businesses within                  feet of the property to be certified; the property lines of any established religious institution/synagogue, school, or public park or recreation area within                 feet of the property to be certified.  For purposes of this Section, a use shall be considered existing or established if it is in existence at the time an application is submitted.

 

                        (13)      If an applicant wishes to operate a sexually oriented business, other than an adult motel, which shall exhibit on the premises, in a viewing room or booth of less than one hundred fifty (150) square feet of floor space, films, video cassettes, other video reproductions, or live entertainment which depict specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas, then the applicant shall comply with the application requirements set forth in Section XIV.

 

            (F)       Before any applicant may be issued a sexually oriented business employee license, the applicant shall submit on a form to be provided by the City the following information:

 

                        (1)        The applicant's name or any other name (including "stage" names) or aliases used by the individual;

                        (2)        Age, date, and place of birth;

                        (3)        Height, weight, hair and eye color;

                        (4)        Present residence address and telephone number;

                        (5)        Present business address and telephone number;

                        (6)        Date, issuing state and number of driver's permit or other identification card information; and

                        (7)        Proof that the individual is at least eighteen (18) years of age.

 

            (G)       Attached to the application form for a sexually oriented business employee license as provided above, shall be the following:

 

                        (1)        A color photograph of the applicant clearly showing the applicant's face, and the applicant's fingerprints on a form provided by the police department.  Any fees for the photographs and fingerprints shall be paid by the applicant.

                        (2)        A statement detailing the license history of the applicant for the five (5) years immediately preceding the date of the filing of the application, including whether such applicant previously operated or is seeking to operate, in this or any other county, city, state, or country has ever had a license, permit, or authorization to do business denied, revoked, or suspended, or had any professional or vocational license or permit denied, revoked, or suspended.  In the event of any such denial, revocation, or suspension, state the name, the name of the issuing or denying jurisdiction, and describe in full the reason for the denial, revocation, or suspension.  A copy of any order of denial, revocation, or suspension shall be attached to the application. 

                        (3)        A statement whether the applicant has been convicted of a specified criminal activity as defined in this ordinance and, if so, the specified criminal activity involved, the date, place and jurisdiction of each.

 

SECTION V.  ISSUANCE OF LICENSE.

 

            (A)       Upon the filing of said application for a sexually oriented business employee license, the city shall issue a temporary license to said applicant.  The application shall then be referred to the appropriate city departments for an investigation to be made on such information as is contained on the application.  The application process shall be completed within thirty (30) days from the date the completed application is filed.  After the investigation, the City shall issue a license, unless it is determined by a preponderance of the evidence that one or more of the following findings is true:

 

                        (1)        The applicant has failed to provide information reasonable necessary for issuance of the license or has falsely answered a question or request for information on the application form;

                        (2)        The applicant is under the age of eighteen (18) years;

                        (3)        The applicant has been convicted of a "specified criminal activity" as defined in this ordinance;

                        (4)        The sexually oriented business employee license is to be used for employment in a business prohibited by local or state law, statute, rule or regulation, or prohibited by a particular provision of this ordinance; or

                        (5)        The applicant has had a sexually oriented business employee license revoked by the City within two (2) years of the date of the current application.  If the sexually oriented business employee license is denied, the temporary license previously issued is immediately deemed null and void.  Denial, suspension, or revocation of a license issued pursuant to this subsection shall be subject to appeal as set forth in Section X.

 

            (B)       A license granted pursuant to this section shall be subject to annual renewal upon the written application of the applicant and a finding by the  City that the applicant has not been convicted of any specified criminal activity as defined in this ordinance or committed any act during the existence of the previous license, which would be grounds to deny the initial license application.  The renewal of the license shall be subject to the payment of the fee as set forth in Section VI. 

 

            (C)       Within 30 days after receipt of a completed sexually oriented business application, the City shall approve or deny the issuance of a license to an applicant.  The City shall approve the issuance of a license to an applicant unless it is determined by a preponderance of the evidence that one or more of the following findings is true:

 

                        (1)        An applicant is under eighteen (18) years of age.

                        (2)        An applicant or a person with whom applicant is residing is overdue in payment to the City of taxes, fees, fines, or penalties assessed against or imposed upon him/her in relation to any business.