Alachua County, Florida

Alachua County Sexually Oriented Business Study and Ordinance
   

In the course of our work in assisting Alachua County to update its Land Development Regulations, the County asked that Duncan Associates provide additional assistance to address issues related to several sexually oriented businesses in the county. The County had no previous specific provisions in its regulations to address the location, deign or operation of such businesses.

The firm completed a study of sex businesses in the County (including an examination of those in Gainesville) and presented our recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners. At the request of the Board, the firm then prepared zoning amendments to address issues of sexually oriented businesses.
The provisions were designed to be integrated into the updated LDRs but were adopted as interim amendments to the existing zoning regulations in 2004. Industry representatives were involved in discussions of the study and the ordinance. Two establishments have removed their video viewing booths, or arcades, as a result of the study and the new ordinance. There has been no litigation over these new regulations in the first year after their adoption.

Period:    February 2003 - April 2004               Contact:   David Wagner, County Attorney
Team:      Duncan Associates                                      352.374.5218