Madison County regulates adult businesses

A local county is saying “no” to businesses that are sexual in nature.

One of the most religious and conservative counties in Eastern Idaho is doing some prep work on making sure sexually-themed businesses stay far away from it.

Adult bookstores, video stores, bikini bars and topless bars are abundant throughout the country, but one local county wants nothing to do with it.

An ordinance in Madison County will go before commissioners next week, outlining regulations for adult businesses.

“We’re just trying to be proactive,” said Brent McFadden with Madison County’s Planning and Zoning Commission. “We have not seen or had any requests for it.”

The ordinance will mandate businesses that are sexual in nature to set up shop in the industrial parts of the county, far away from homes, schools and churches.

“The question from the public is always the same, why can’t we just ban them completely? You can’t ban them completely, but you can regulate where they’re going to be at, who can work there and hours of operation and things like that,” said Troy Evans, county attorney.

County officials said with around 90% of the population being members of the LDS church, there isn’t really a market for these types of businesses.

“Growth is dynamic, we’re changing all of the time. We have more and more people moving into the area that are not LDS,” said McFadden. “Someday the demographics might change to the point where that’s what people may want and we just want to be proactive on where they can be.”

County leaders said if a Hooters Restaurant would want to open within the county, that would be OK.

Madison County commissioners will review the ordinance June 14 at 7 p.m. at the county courthouse. The public is encouraged to attend and offer comment.