Opinion ID: 1308189
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: overhead sprinkler system

Text: Disregarding the stated purposes of eliminating injury from specific hands-on contact and curtailing illegal activity, the County argues that the overhead sprinkler system requirement is reasonable for purposes of fire prevention. No justification is given for requiring massage parlor operators to undertake the expensive task of retrofitting their establishments with sprinkler systems while allowing other businesses to remain unaffected by the requirement. A review of the record not only demonstrates the absence of any justification for this disparity of treatment among businesses, but also bodes against our finding the requirement reasonable. At trial the County stipulated to the fact that for 10 years prior to the passage of Pierce County resolution 22518 no fire occurred in a single massage parlor in the county. Additionally, at trial, the County relied solely upon the testimony of the county sheriff and vice squad officers to establish the reasonableness of the amendments. These persons testified to difficulty in policing massage parlors. This is not sufficient justification for disparity in treatment. This court adheres to the principle that difficulty in enforcement of laws and administrative expediency must give way to constitutionally protected interests. See Stanley v. Illinois, 405 U.S. 645, 31 L.Ed.2d 551, 92 S.Ct. 1208 (1972). Though the constitution allows legislative bodies a certain amount of leeway in economic and business regulation, see Williamson v. Lee Optical, Inc., 348 U.S. 483, 99 L.Ed. 563, 75 S.Ct. 461 (1955), different treatments among different classifications must nonetheless be justified. The County has failed to justify the imposition of this burden upon appellants.