WEST HOLLYWOOD : City Places Site Limits on Adult Businesses

The city has adopted an ordinance regulating adult businesses, including topless bars, pornographic theaters and adult bookstores.

The new law sets strict limits on the location of new adult businesses. They may not open within 250 feet of a residential area or within 500 feet a church, school or park.

“I don’t think anybody wants to see a proliferation of adult businesses,” said Mayor John Heilman. “As liberal as the city is, these types of businesses can have a negative impact if not regulated.”

The City Council, which unanimously passed the new ordinance, acted after Mark Bailey, the prospective owner of a new topless club, reportedly complained that the existing law regulating adult businesses was too vague. Bailey could not be reached for comment.

West Hollywood already has at least seven adult businesses, including The Body Shop, a landmark topless bar on Sunset Boulevard, and several adult bookstores. The new ordinance would not affect their operations, Heilman said.

Bailey operated Twenty/20, a topless bar in Century City that shut down early this year after its landlords waged a legal battle to evict the club.