LA HABRA : Moratorium OKd on Nude Bar Permits
Anyone wishing to open a nude bar here will be prohibited from doing so for the next 38 days.
City Council members last week unanimously imposed a 45-day moratorium on new permits for such businesses.
City officials heard a rumor that someone planned to apply for a permit for a nude bar in town, and council members took action to prevent that.
“We just want to control it right now,” Mayor William D. Mahoney said.
“Applications for nude bars are on the increase throughout Orange County,” City Atty. Richard Jones said. “All of a sudden, it seems to be the new in thing. We’ve seen it grow in popularity over the last year.”
The council plans to adopt an ordinance placing restrictions on nude entertainment at adult establishments within the next few months. For now, however, no permits will be issued to businesses such as cabarets, nightclubs or bars that want to feature “topless or bottomless dancers.”
Jones said the outright prohibition of such entertainment would be illegal if it were permanent.
However, the temporary ban is necessary “in order to circumvent a current and immediate threat to the public health, safety and welfare,” city officials said.
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