(A) The city is committed to protecting the general welfare of the city through the enforcement of laws prohibiting obscenity, indecency, and sexual offenses. It seeks to reduce and eliminate the deleterious effects of sexually oriented businesses while preserving constitutionally protected forms of expression.
(B) The city finds that sexually oriented businesses in certain locations contribute to neighborhood deterioration and blight through an increase in crime and diminution of property values, among other adverse consequences, and finds that such effects are contrary to the general welfare of the city. The city recognizes that important and substantial government interests provide a constitutional basis for reasonable regulation of the time, place and manner under which sexually oriented businesses operate; and that, therefore, the city has determined that persons seeking to operate sexually oriented businesses shall be required to observe specific locational requirements before they commence business, as provided for in this article.
(C) The city finds that the licensing of sexually oriented businesses is necessary to ensure compliance with the locational and zoning requirements of such businesses. The city finds that sexually oriented businesses in other communities have been used for unlawful sexual activities, including prostitution, and sexual encounters of a casual nature. The concern over sexually transmitted diseases is a legitimate health concern of the city. The provisions of this article shall not be construed as permitting any use, activity or structure that is otherwise prohibited, illegal or made punishable by law, nor shall it be construed so as to prohibit conduct or expression that is subject to constitutional protection.
(Ord. 2006-O-06, passed 5-23-06)