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Commission narrows alcohol rules for clothing‑optional hotels, strikes pool‑bar exclusivity requirement
Summary
On second reading the commission amended city code to allow alcoholic beverage sales at accessory establishments in clothing‑optional hotels, removing a provision that limited alcohol to enclosed pool‑bar areas and clarifying definitions of partial nudity.
The Fort Lauderdale City Commission on March 4 approved changes to the city code that amend alcohol-consumption rules for hotels that have clothing‑optional areas. The ordinance (OSR1, second reading) struck language that had required any alcohol sold to be served only from a fully enclosed bar area located in a pool area and instead created criteria permitting accessory or ancillary alcohol establishments at clothing‑optional hotels.
City attorney and staff‑led changes clarified that an alcoholic beverage establishment that allows partial nudity and is accessory to a clothing‑optional hotel may sell beer and wine for on‑premises consumption if the hotel meets the ordinance’s specified criteria. The commission also adopted definitions for "partial nudity" as part of the amendment. Interim city attorney Dwayne Spence read the code definition into the record, which describes partial nudity in detail and excludes coverage of female cleavage where areolas are not exposed.
Why it matters: The amendment refines public-safety and land‑use rules around hotels that include clothing‑optional or partial‑nudity areas, balancing business operations with public order and zoning requirements.
Formal action Commissioners approved the ordinance as amended on second reading. The vote on second reading was: Commissioner Sorensen — yes; Commissioner Herbst — yes; Vice Mayor Glassman — yes; Commissioner Beasley Pittman — not present for roll call at that moment; Mayor Dean Trantalis — yes. The ordinance was approved as amended.
Clarifying language The commission’s amendments removed the pool-only alcohol-sale restriction and replaced it with language that allows accessory establishments to sell beer and wine on site only if the hotel meets required criteria. Staff and the city attorney confirmed the ordinance text and definitions during the meeting.
