Dozen County Strip Clubs Must Close: Court

UPPER MARLBORO, MD — A dozen strip clubs in Prince George’s County must shut down by Friday after losing a court fight over new, stricter zoning rules that pushes the risqué businesses out of residential areas.

The county’s Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement has issued the clubs letters saying they will face citations and fines if they are not closed by 5 p.m. Friday, April 8.

“The mandatory closings come after a yearlong battle with the establishments,” Susan Hubbard, a spokesperson for the department, told NBC Washington. “County officials are using violations of zoning laws to close the doors of the adult clubs that some residents consider to be nuisances.”

Some residents had complained about traffic and noise from the clubs.

Hubbard says the clubs that the county is pushing to close are in residential or commercial areas, the Associated Press reports.

The county’s new zoning rules restrict adult entertainment clubs to light industrial, warehouse areas.