City of Spokane

Spokane Municipal Code

***Note: Many local criminal codes can now be located under Chapter 10.60 SMC while others are now cited under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), which was incorporated into the municipal code in 2022. (See SMC 10.58.010). Code Enforcement, including Noise Control and Animal Regulations are located in Chapters 10.62 through 10.74.

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Title 17C
Chapter 17C.190
Section 17C.190.200
 

Title 17C Land Use Standards

Chapter 17C.190 Use Category Descriptions

Article III. Commercial Categories

Section 17C.190.200 Adult Business
  1. Characteristics.

Adult business uses include an “adult retail use establishment” and an “adult entertainment establishment.” An “adult retail use establishment” is defined in SMC 17A.020.010. An “adult entertainment establishment” is an enclosed building, or any portion thereof, used for presenting performances, activities, or material relating to “specified sexual activities,” as defined in SMC 17A.020.190, or “specified anatomical areas,” as defined in SMC 17A.020.190, for observation by patrons therein.

  1. Accessory Uses.

Accessory uses may include offices, storage of goods, manufacture or repackaging of goods for on-site sale, and parking.

  1. Examples.

Examples include adult bookstores, arcades, and adult motion picture theaters. "Adult-oriented merchandise" means any goods, products, commodities, or other ware, including but not limited to, videos, CD ROMs, DVDs, computer disks or other storage devices, magazines, books, pamphlets, posters, cards, periodicals or non-clothing novelties which depict, describe or simulate specified anatomical areas, as defined in SMC 17A.020.190, or specified sexual activities, as defined in SMC 17A.020.190.

  1. Exceptions.
    1. A motion picture theater is considered an adult entertainment establishment if the preponderance of the films presented is distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on the depicting or describing of “specified sexual activities” or “specified anatomical areas.”
    1. A hotel or motel providing overnight accommodations is not considered an adult entertainment establishment merely because it provides adult closed circuit television programming in its rooms for its registered overnight guests.

Date Passed: Monday, April 18, 2011

Effective Date: Thursday, May 26, 2011

ORD C34711 Section 2