The purpose of this ordinance shall be to set forth the regulatory requirement for adult and sexually oriented establishments located within the Town of Surf City. Adult and sexually oriented establishments, because of their very nature, are recognized as having serious objectionable operational characteristics. Studies and experiences that are relevant to North Carolina have shown that lower property values and increased crime rates tend to accompany and are brought about by adult and sexually oriented business establishments. The town council finds that regulation of these uses is necessary to ensure that these adverse secondary effects do not contribute to the blighting of surrounding neighborhoods and to regulate acts, omissions or conditions detrimental to the health, safety or welfare and the peace and dignity of the town. Regulation to achieve these purposes can be accomplished by the procedures set forth hereinafter.
The provisions of this ordinance have neither the purpose nor effect of imposing a limitation or restriction on the content of any communicative materials, including sexually oriented materials. Similarly, it is not the intent nor effect of this ordinance to restrict or deny access by adults to sexually oriented materials protected by the First Amendment, or to deny access by the distributors and exhibitors of sexually oriented entertainment to their market.
The provisions of this ordinance shall apply within the corporate limits of the Town of Surf City and within the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the Town of Surf City.
(Ord. No. 1999-8, § 1, 6-1-99; Ord. No. 2020-12, 12-1-20)