AFA of PA ACTION ALERT
March 23, 2022
Issue
Can Anything be Done About Sexually Oriented Businesses?
Details
The short answer is YES! However, the question is: “Are your local elected officials willing to do something about them?”
Does your local municipality have a so-called “gentlemen’s club”? Let’s face it: No gentleman would go to such a place, but calling it a gentlemen’s club helps the owners of such a business cover up what’s going on inside the building. However, it does not change the fact that it is a strip club!
Click here for our Fact Sheet
Click here to read PA’s Obscenity Law
Action Steps
As referenced in the Fact Sheet, local municipalities can pass ordinances – a zoning ordinance would restrict where a sexually oriented business could locate (if one already exist in your area, this would not impact them); a licensing ordinance would impact existing strip clubs, as well as any new ones that might consider setting up shop. A licensing ordinance requires the business to obtain an annually renewable license (part of the process is for all employees to get a police background check), hours of operation would also be included – usually 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and closed on Sundays and legal holidays.
Please contact the AFA of PA, if you would like to obtain a copy of the model licensing and zoning ordinances. Do NOT think a sexually oriented business will not open in your area; they specially look for municipalities that do not have any ordinances in place to regulate them
