Committee advances technical code changes to move bathhouse standards as part of a larger regulatory package

The committee held a lengthy public hearing and discussion on a technical ordinance that moves building standards and related definitions for adult entertainment venues from the city's high-risk sexual conduct code into an adult entertainment section of the municipal code.

Council Member Chavez, an author of the change, said the amendments are technical and intended to preserve employee protections while creating a path to a regulatory framework focused on public health. "These amendments do three things," Chavez summarized, noting the change moves existing standards, retains employee protections and creates a pathway for future licensing and zoning modeled after other cities.

Speakers at the public hearing included sex-worker rights advocates and community members who said the change is a step toward restoring safe spaces and remedying past harms tied to the original ban. One advocate said, "Sex workers deserve dignity, they deserve respect," urging the committee to remove stigmatizing language and enable regulation.

Council debate was divided. An initial motion to recommend the ordinance failed on a 3-3-1 vote (three in favor, three opposed, one abstention). Council Member Chavez then moved the item to full Council without recommendation; that motion passed by a 4-3 vote. Committee members and staff said the technical move does not by itself legalize venues; future licensing and zoning steps are anticipated.

Next steps: the code change will go to full Council for consideration; staff and authors said additional ordinances and licensing work will follow in coming cycles to create a data-driven public health and regulatory approach to adult entertainment venues.