New Rules for Adult-Oriented Businesses in Waterford

A new 28-page ordinance that details exactly what an adult business can, and cannot do in Waterford Township, is now official policy.

After more than a year of considerations, township supervisors unanimously approved the new, tighter rules on Wednesday night.

The ordinance gives any operating adult business six months to adopt all new regulations. However, with no adult shops actually existing in the township, the rules only apply to future shops.

"We've realized that surrounding communities have had some issues, and we wanted to take care of them before we had problems," said Bruce Coffin, Waterford Township supervisor and chair. "We want to keep it a great place to raise children and provide a good atmosphere," he said.

Future impacted businesses include adult clubs, massage parlors, book stores, escort services, adult theaters, among others.

The new rules will limit business hours from Monday through Saturday, 8am to 10pm.

Owners of an adult-oriented business must consent to a full criminal background check, and and obtain a license that must be renewed annually.

And facilities must be well lit with no closed-off rooms, excluding restrooms, to name a just few of the requirements.

Any business that violates the rules will be subject to fines.

Although there are no existing adult businesses in Waterford, a group of citizens felt concerned that a new business could emerge and operate under loose regulations.

Scott Taylor of Waterford is one resident behind the push for tighter adult entertainment regulations in Waterford. He says the addition of Kandy's Gentleman's Club to nearby LeBoeuf Township was as a big motivator behind his efforts.

"The weakness of other ordinances in other townships attracted that type of business to come in. We are just looking out for public health and safety, Taylor said.

But Rusty Tracy, a Waterford business owner with a liquor license, is concerned with the language of the ordinance. The new rules gives the Township power to impose new rules on old - if hypothetical - adult businesses.

"I agree with what they're trying to do - with trying to make Waterford a better place in the future. But I don't think they can apply it to existing businesses," Tracy said. Tracy owns Crab Apple Ridge Golf Course. "What's to say they can't tell me I have to close my business at 10 in the evening? It doesn't seem quite fair," he said.

Kandy's the LeBoeuf Township business, will not be impacted by any of Waterford's new ordinances.

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