Augusta may vote to eliminate some rules for adult entertainment businesses

(Augusta, Ga.) – On Tuesday, the Augusta Council wanted to make some changes to some parts of local businesses. City leaders are discussing lifting some of the rules.

Augusta’s Public Service Commission recently worked to adjust local ordinances around adult entertainment.Among the draft amendments scheduled to be voted on at Tuesday’s committee meeting, the document states, “All amendments contained in this Regulation are intended to be more [the previous version] Act No. 6607.

Less restrictive? let’s see. The committee did recommend removing certain rules that allow dancers to work in the nude, notably the requirement that they remain on certain platforms. Private dances are still banned, but one-on-one dances are allowed if they are in full view of clubgoers.

Want to start a new company? Here’s what you need to know. If the draft is approved, Augusta’s comprehensive zoning ordinance will allow you to operate closer to other similar businesses as well as closer to Augusta’s busiest roads.

While this may seem like a positive move for those looking to run this type of business, there is still one glaring problem. “Does our ordinance say you can’t drink and dance in the same building?” Mayor Pro-Tem Bobby Williams asked at a recent committee meeting.
Carla Delaney, deputy director of planning and development, responded to Williams:
“You…it’s…the essence of strip clubs – there’s music, there’s dancing, there’s alcohol, so… you mean – there, you – I think in history Gives some background on what happened on the two or three of the things we had.

In 2021, FOX54 reported on a ruling that the downtown Discotheque Lounge can only continue operating as an adult entertainment club if it complies with current alcohol ban regulations. This follows the 2019 death of 1971 lounge operator James Lester, after the city refused to transfer his sex business license to a new owner.

Augusta commissioners said they look to similar cities such as Athens-Clark County and Columbia, South Carolina, when considering adult nightlife in the Garden City. While Colombia did not address alcohol sales in its sex-oriented business guidelines, Athens’ wording was nearly identical to Augusta’s.

FOX54 will be present at Tuesday’s committee meeting.