Is it immoral to regulate strip clubs?

[DanielX]

Is regulating Strip Clubs immoral? No. Is it a good idea? No.

[muon2]

It is not immoral to regulate land use in a local community. Zoning is fundamentally an issue of the local jurisdiction, IMO. When states and the federal government create too many regulations that impinge on local zoning you get a system that lacks any responsiveness to the local landowners. Their land values and possible uses are impacted by what happens on adjacent parcels, and zoning regulations are one good way of preserving the rights of land owners who are already present in a community.

The application of zoning to strip clubs is in most ways no different than the application to any other commercial uses. Uses such as factories, restaurants, gas stations, contractor storage yards, as well as strip clubs are examples of commercial uses that may have unusual impacts on adjacent properties. Zoning regulations that recognize the unique impact are appropriate from the local municipality.

For instance, a gas station both involves highly combustible materials, and generate heavy traffic volumes. Zoning regulations to control setbacks from nearby buildings and street access are apropriate. The factors governing the station site compared to adjacent properties may not be the same as other commercial properties in the area, so a hearing to discover those facts and get public input is also appropriate. Rgulating gas stations based on arbitrary factors unrelated to their impact on nearby properties is not appropriate.

Strip clubs actually have more protection than most other businesses. Their federal protection under the first amendment gives them a certain immunity from blanket zoning regulations. In general the court decisions prevent them from being banned outright. Yet, like other businesses they can be subject to zoning regulations that consider their unique impact. Some impacts include the late night traffic generation, inappropiateness for children, and financial effect on adjacent businesses.

Regulations that are based on the specific impacts of the clubs are moral, legal, and best left to the community impacted by the club.

[Speed of Sound]

Yes, but only in the greater sense that regluation of businesses is immoral.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[Peter]

No, the regulation of the vast majority of commercial activity by the State is moral, its not necessarily a good idea, but it is moral.