For City Council Meeting April 14, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tanya Williams, City Manager
AUTHOR: Mark P. Kling, Chief of Police
Title
Request City Council to Set a Public Hearing for April 28, 2026 to Consider Extending the Temporary Moratorium on the Establishment, Expansion, or Intensification of Massage Parlors Within the Jurisdictional Boundaries of the City of Rialto.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council set a Public Hearing for April 28, 2026 to consider extending the Temporary Moratorium on the Establishment, Expansion, or Intensification of Massage Parlors Within the Jurisdictional Boundaries of the City of Rialto.
BACKGROUND
At the regularly scheduled City Council meeting on March 24, 2026, the City Council unanimously approved an interim urgency ordinance establishing a 45-day moratorium prohibiting the establishment, expansion, or intensification of massage parlors.
The purpose of the moratorium is to provide time for staff to gather data about the impacts of massage establishments, and to research, study, and prepare recommendations for the Council’s consideration regarding potential amendments to the City’s regulatory process and Zoning Code. Additionally, staff will study potential changes to the City regulatory scheme related to inspection processes and schedules, including studying the efficacy of mandating regular inspections on massage businesses.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
The 45-day ordinance adopted on March 24, 2026 took effect immediately is set to expire on May 8, 2026. The City Council may extend the moratorium, per Government Code Section 65858, for an additional 10 months and 15 days. Thereafter, the moratorium may be extended again for 1 additional year.
An additional 10-month and 15-day extension of the original 45-day moratorium may be permitted by the City Council upon proper notice pursuant to Government Code Section 65090 and a public hearing. This public hearing would need to occur at the April 28, 2026 City Council meeting in order to extend the moratorium prior to the May 8, 2026 expiration of the current moratorium.
Extending the moratorium will provide City staff with a reasonable period of time to complete a thorough evaluation of regulating massage parlors and any amendments to the Municipal Code to prevent the proliferation of illicit sexual activity commonly occurring in these businesses.
City staff will review and consider options for the regulation of massage parlors and will issue a written report describing the measures which the City has taken to address the conditions which led to the adoption of this ordinance. This will be presented to the City Council ten (10) days prior to the expiration of this moratorium, or any extension thereof, and be made available to the public.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed action does not meet the definition of a project as defined by California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. According to Section 15378(b), a Project does not include (5) Organization or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
The City of Rialto’s General Plan has outlined guiding principles and goals relating to public safety. This action is consistent with the City of Rialto’s General Plan Guiding Principle 1, “Rialto is a Family First Community.”
Our neighborhoods will be a safe place to call home.
Approval of this action is also consistent with the City of Rialto General Plan Goal and Policy below:
Goal 5-8: Provide effective and comprehensive policing services that meet the safety needs of Rialto.
Policy 5-8.4: Initiate proactive crime suppression and prevention strategies throughout the community.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
Operating Budget Impact
There is no impact on the Operating Budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
There is no impact on the Capital Improvement Budget.
Licensing
This action does not require a business license.