(a) The purpose of this chapter is to regulate adult entertainment establishments to:
(1) Promote the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the citizens of Middletown, Ohio;
(2) Establish reasonable and uniform regulations for the operation of adult entertainment facilities with the goal of reducing or eliminating the adverse secondary effects associated with such facilities; and
(3) To protect minors, by reason of age, from exposure to unsuitable or sexually oriented materials.
(b) It is not the intent of this chapter to limit or restrict the content of communicative materials, including sexually oriented materials. Similarly, it is not the intent or effect of this chapter to restrict or deny access to materials protected by the First Amendment, or to deny access by the distributors and exhibitors of sexually oriented entertainment to their intended market. The purpose of this regulation is to impose content neutral time, place and manner restrictions designed to the public health, safety and welfare, while not unreasonably limiting avenues of communication.
(Ord. O2007-18, passed 2-20-2007)