BATHHOUSES

Las Vegas Municipal Code tit. 6, ch. 6.16

in effect

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 6.16.010 Purpose.

6.16.010 - Purpose. The Board finds that the business of conducting bathhouses seriously affects the economic, social and moral well-being of the City and its residents and that such businesses must be regulated strictly for the welfare of the public and that such businesses must therefore comply with Chapter 6.06. (Ord. 2285 § 2 (part), 1982: prior code § 5-42-1)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 6.16.020 Definitions.

6.16.020 - Definitions. Unless the context otherwise requires, the following words shall have the meaning ascribed to them: (A) "Bath" means a washing or soaking of all or part of the human body and includes the techniques and practices commonly referred to as Russian, Turkish, Swedish, hot air, vapor, electric cabinet, steam, mineral, sweat, salt, Japanese, sauna, fomentation or electrical baths of any kind or type whatever, as well as ordinary tub baths or showers. (B) "Bathhouse attendant" means any person who in the course of any employment administers or assists in administering to another human being a bath as defined in Subsection (A) of this Section. (C) "Public bathhouse" means any establishment having a source of income derived from the giving of a bath which has a fixed place of business where any person, firm, association or corporation engages in or carries on any of the activities as defined in subsection (A) of this Section. This definition does not purport to include motels, hotels, health clubs, gymnasiums or like establishments where bathing facilities are incidentally provided along with the facilities which serve the normal, central purpose of such establishment. (Ord. 2285 § 2 (part), 1982: prior code § 5-42-2)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 6.16.030 License—Required.

6.16.030 - License—Required. No person shall engage in the business of a public bathhouse without first obtaining and thereafter maintaining a valid unexpired license pursuant to this Code. (Ord. 2285 § 2 (part), 1982: prior code § 5-42-3)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 6.16.040 Engaging in business without permit—Prohibited.

6.16.040 - Engaging in business without permit—Prohibited. It is unlawful for any person to act as a bathhouse attendant without first obtaining and carrying in his or her possession a valid unexpired permit as provided in this chapter. (Ord. 2285 § 2 (part), 1982: prior code § 5-42-4)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 6.16.050 Exemptions.

6.16.050 - Exemptions. This Chapter does not apply to the following individuals while engaged in the performance of their duties in their respective professions: (A) Physicians, surgeons, chiropractors, osteopaths, or physical therapists, who are duly licensed to practice their respective professions in the State; (B) Nurses who are registered under the laws of this State; (C) Barbers and beauticians who are duly licensed under the laws of this State, except that this exemption shall apply solely to the bathing of the neck, face, scalp and hair of the customer or client for cosmetic or beautifying purposes; (D) Persons caring for the sick or elderly in a licensed hospital or convalescent center. (Ord. 2285 § 2 (part), 1982: prior code § 5-42-5)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 6.16.060 Permit—Application—Contents.

6.16.060 - Permit—Application—Contents. Any person who is required to have a permit must apply for the permit from the Director and pay an investigation fee of one hundred seventy-five dollars. The application must be made upon forms provided by the Department and shall set forth the information required which includes: (A) The applicant's personal description, history, education, experience and background; (B) The applicant's criminal history and civil and administrative litigation history; (C) The applicant's relationship to the licensee; (D) Written evidence from a licensed physician that the physician has examined the applicant and that the applicant is free from any communicable disease; (E) A recent three inch by five inch photograph showing the applicant's head and shoulders; (F) Such other information as the Director may require that reasonably relates to the applicant's fitness for a permit or the nature of the service to be provided. (Ord. 2285 § 2 (part), 1982: prior code § 5-42-7)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 6.16.070 Permit—Application—Reasons for denial.

6.16.070 - Permit—Application—Reasons for denial. The Director shall refer the application for a permit to Metro for an investigation. Upon completion of the investigation the Director shall approve, deny or take such other action with respect to such application as he considers appropriate. The Director may deny, revoke or suspend a permit for good cause which includes but is not limited to: (A) The application is incomplete or contains false, misleading or fraudulent statements with respect to any information required; (B) The applicant or permittee fails to satisfy any qualification or requirement imposed by this Code, or other local, State or Federal law or regulation pertaining to such activities; (C) Disciplinary action has been brought against the licensee or a principal of the licensee; (D) The applicant or permittee fails to comply with any conditions of the license or permit; (E) The applicant or permittee is or has engaged in a business, trade or profession without a valid license, permit, approval for suitability or work card when he knew that one was required or under such circumstances that he reasonably should have known one was required; (F) The applicant or permittee has been subject, in any jurisdiction to disciplinary action of any kind against a license, permit, approval for suitability or work card to the extent that such disciplinary action reflects on the qualification, acceptability or fitness to hold a permit; (G) The applicant or permittee has committed acts which would constitute a crime involving moral turpitude, prostitution or other sex crimes, or involving any Federal, State or local law or regulation relating to the same or a similar business; (H) When substantial information exists which tends to show that the applicant or permittee is dishonest or corrupt; (I) The applicant or permittee has engaged in deceptive practices upon the public; (J) The applicant or permittee suffers from a legal disability under the laws of the State. (Ord. 5998 § 54, 2008: Ord. 2285 § 2 (part), 1982: prior code § 5-42-7)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 6.16.080 Permit—Identification of permittee and licensee—Date of issuance.

6.16.080 - Permit—Identification of permittee and licensee—Date of issuance. The permit shall identify the permittee and the licensee and set forth the date of issuance. (Ord. 2285 § 2 (part), 1982: prior code § 5-42-8)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 6.16.090 Permit—Exhibition—Health requirement.

6.16.090 - Permit—Exhibition—Health requirement. (A) Each person required to have a permit must exhibit his permit upon the request of any person. (B) Each permittee prior to renewal of his permit, by the payment of the semiannual permit fee, shall furnish written evidence from a licensed physician that the physician has recently examined the permittee and that the permittee is free from any communicable diseases. (Ord. 2285 § 2 (part), 1982: prior code § 5-42-9)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 6.16.100 Permit—Transfer—Loss and reissuance.

6.16.100 - Permit—Transfer—Loss and reissuance. (A) Each permit issued shall be for one bathhouse only. It is unlawful for a bathhouse attendant to undertake employment with any bathhouse other than the one identified on his or her permit. (B) Upon application and payment of a transfer fee in the amount of fifty dollars, a bathhouse attendant's permit may be transferred to a new bathhouse employer. (C) Upon termination of employment as bathhouse attendant for a licensed bathhouse employer, such permittee shall surrender his permit to the Department within five days of such termination of employment. It is unlawful for any bathhouse attendant to fail to surrender his permit within the time prescribed. (D) In the event a bathhouse attendant shall lose his permit it shall be the duty of the bathhouse attendant to report the loss to the Director within five days after knowledge of the loss occurs. A fee of twenty-five dollars shall be charged by the Department to issue a new permit. (Ord. 2285 § 2 (part), 1982: prior code § 5-42-10)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 6.16.110 Attendant permit—Required.

6.16.110 - Attendant permit—Required. It is unlawful for any bath- house to employ a bathhouse attendant who does not have in his possession a valid unexpired permit as required by this Chapter. (Ord. 2285 § 2 (part), 1982: prior code § 5-42-11)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 6.16.120 Attendant permit—Application—Termination.

6.16.120 - Attendant permit—Application—Termination. Every bathhouse shall refer all prospective bathhouse attendants to the Department for application of a permit. Upon termination of employment of any bathhouse attendant the bathhouse shall notify the Department in writing of such termination within five days thereof. (Ord. 2285 § 2 (part), 1982: prior code § 5-42-12)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 6.16.130 Employee records.

6.16.130 - Employee records. (A) Every bathhouse licensed hereunder shall maintain the following records of employment of their employee bathhouse attendants: (1) Date employment commenced; and (2) Date employment terminated. (B) The foregoing records shall be available to the City upon written request therefor. (Ord. 2285 § 2 (part), 1982: prior code § 5-42-13)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 6.16.140 Minimum age of employees.

6.16.140 - Minimum age of employees. No bathhouse shall employ a person as bathhouse attendant who is under the age of eighteen. (Ord. 2285 § 2 (part), 1982: prior code § 5-42-14)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 6.16.150 Nameplate for attendants.

6.16.150 - Nameplate for attendants. The licensee of a bathhouse shall provide such bathhouse attendants granted a permit with an identification nameplate which shall contain a photograph of the bathhouse attendant and the full name and permit number assigned to the bathhouse attendant which must be worn on the front of the outermost garment at all times during the hours of operation of any establishment granted a license pursuant to this Chapter. (Ord. 2285 § 2 (part), 1982: prior code § 5-42-15)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 6.16.160 Bathing or touching opposite sex.

6.16.160 - Bathing or touching opposite sex. (A) It is unlawful for any permittee or any employee of a bathhouse to touch or bathe the genitals of a male or female client or customer or to touch or bathe the female breast(s) or areolas. (B) It is unlawful for any bathhouse attendant to administer or assist in administering to a person of the opposite sex a bath as defined herein. (Ord. 2285 § 2 (part), 1982: prior code § 5-42-16)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 6.16.170 Facilities requirements conformance.

6.16.170 - Facilities requirements conformance. No license to conduct a bathhouse shall be issued unless an inspection by the City reveals that the establishment complies with each of the following minimum requirements: Construction of rooms used for toilets, tubs, steam baths, and showers shall be made waterproof with approved waterproofed materials and shall be installed in accordance with the City's Uniform Building Code. Plumbing fixtures shall be installed in accordance with the City's Plumbing Code. (A) Steamrooms and shower compartments shall have waterproofed floors, walls and ceilings approved by the City; (B) Floors of wet and dry heat rooms shall be adequately pitched to one or more floor drains properly connected to the sewer. (Exception: Dry heat rooms with wooden floors need not be provided with pitched floors and floor drains); (C) A source of hot water must be available within the immediate vicinity of dry and wet heat rooms to facilitate cleaning. (Ord. 2285 § 2 (part), 1982: prior code § 5-42-17 (A))

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 6.16.180 Toilet facilities.

6.16.180 - Toilet facilities. Toilet facilities shall be provided in convenient locations; when five or more employees and patrons of different sexes are on the premises at the same time, separate toilet facilities shall be provided. A single toilet per sex shall be provided for each twenty or more employees or patrons of that sex on the premises at any one time. Urinals may be substituted for toilets after one toilet has been provided. All toilet rooms shall be equipped with self-closing doors opening in the direction of ingress to the toilet rooms. Toilets shall be designated as to the sex accommodated therein. (Ord. 2285 § 2 (part), 1982: prior code § 5-42-17 (B))

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 6.16.190 Lavatories and washbasins.

6.16.190 - Lavatories and washbasins. Lavatories or washbasins provided with both hot and cold running water shall be installed in either the toilet room or vestibule. Lavatories or washbasins shall be provided with soap in a dispenser and with sanitary towels. (Ord. 2285 § 2 (part), 1982: prior code § 5-42-17 (C))

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 6.16.200 Electrical equipment.

6.16.200 - Electrical equipment. All electrical equipment shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of the City's Uniform Electrical Code. (Ord. 2285 § 2 (part), 1982: prior code § 5-42-17 (D))

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 6.16.210 Housekeeping—Generally.

6.16.210 - Housekeeping—Generally. Every portion of a bathhouse, including appliances, apparatus and personnel, shall be kept clean and operated in a sanitary condition. (Ord. 2285 § 2 (part), 1982: prior code § 5-42-18 (A))

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 6.16.220 Housekeeping—Sheets and towels.

6.16.220 - Housekeeping—Sheets and towels. All bathhouses shall be provided with clean, laundered sheets and towels in sufficient quantity and shall be laundered after each use thereof and stored in an approved, sanitary manner. No towels or sheets shall be laundered or dried in any bathhouse, unless such establishment is provided with approved laundry facilities for such laundry and drying. Approved receptacles shall be provided for the storage of soiled linens and paper towels. (Ord. 2285 § 2 (part), 1982: prior code § 5-42-18 (C))

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 6.16.230 Housekeeping—Rooms and tubs.

6.16.230 - Housekeeping—Rooms and tubs. Wet and dry heat rooms, shower compartments and toilet rooms shall be thoroughly cleaned each day the business is in operation. Bathtubs shall be thoroughly cleaned after each use. (Ord. 2285 § 2 (part), 1982: prior code § 5-42-18 (D))

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 6.16.240 Garments and dressing rooms.

6.16.240 - Garments and dressing rooms. All employees shall wear clean outer garments whose use is restricted to the bathhouse. Such garments shall be opaque and shall cover the entire trunk or torso of the employee. Provision of a separate dressing room for each sex must be available on the premises with individual lockers for each employee. Doors to such dressing rooms shall open inward and shall be self-closing. (Ord. 2285 § 2 (part), 1982: prior code § 5-42-18 (B))

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 6.16.250 False advertising.

6.16.250 - False advertising. No bathhouse granted a license under the provisions of this Chapter shall place, publish or distribute or cause to be placed, published or distributed any advertisement, picture, or statement which is known or through the exercise of reasonable care should be known to be false, deceptive or misleading in order to induce any person to purchase or utilize any professional bathhouse services. (Ord. 2285 § 2 (part), 1982: prior code § 542-18 (E))

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 6.16.260 License fees.

6.16.260 - License fees. (A) Each person required to be licensed as a bathhouse must pay to the Department in advance a semiannual license fee of five hundred dollars. (B) Each bathhouse attendant must pay in advance a semiannual permit fee of one hundred fifty dollars. Failure to pay such fee within fifteen days of its due date shall cause the permit to automatically expire. (Ord. 2285 § 2 (part), 1982: prior code § 5-42-19)

Source: City of Las Vegas, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/nv/las_vegas/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT6BUTALIRE_CH6.16BAFetched: 10/28/2026