Snohomish County leaders have approved a plan Wednesday to add bikini coffee stands to the list of businesses the county regulates as adult entertainment — even though there’s concern about how that plan would get enforced.
The changes mean any business, not just coffee stands, that features partially nude employees selling products would need to be licensed as adult entertainment in unincorporated Snohomish County.
Under the county’s existing laws, adult entertainment businesses can’t cater to minors or hire them. The county also requires adult entertainment businesses to adhere to other regulations, such as posting “adults only” signs.
The council also tightened the county’s lewd conduct law Wednesday, adding tougher penalties and more clearly spelling out when a person is guilty of lewd conduct.
Taken together, Councilman Mike Cooper said the changes should protect owners rights to run a responsible adult business and the rights of people living nearby who don’t want their children spotting nearly nude baristas.
“I’m pleased we’re going to be the leader, not the follower, in dealing with adult coffee stands,” Cooper said.
Both measures were approved unanimously, even though several councilman expressed concern about how the plans would be practically enforced.
In a time of tight budgets and dozens of layoffs, councilmen Brian Sullivan and Dave Somers raised concerns.
“I believe if we pass this ordinance, we aren’t going to be able to effectively enforce it,” Somers said. “We’re going to have the same problems next week.”
The new measures will likely take effect in January if they’ve been signed by the county executive.
Debra Smith: 425-339-3197, dsmith@heraldnet.com
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