Until now, the city of Bonney Lake has had no ordinance against public nudity.
City Council members changed that during their March 10 meeting, voting unanimously to support an ordinance regarding public nudity – with some limitations.
Councilman David Bowen said he’s not in favor of public nudity, but opposed some of the language in the ordinance.
Bowen made a motion to amend the ordiance by striking the line: “in the public interest to maintain the social order, morality, health, welfare and safety of the citizens of Bonney Lake.”
He stated his belief that alcohol and tobacco are more dangerous than public nudity.
“Overuse of alcohol is much more dangerous and damaging to our society,” Bowen said. “There are dangers to our society we are not addressing with this. Alcohol is a legal and regulated substance, but is does immense damage to our community.”
Councilman Dan Decker called nudity a health issue. “It can harm the eyes,” he said.
Bowen’s motion failed, 4-2.
Under the terms of the new ordinance, it’s against the law for any person 10 years or older to appear nude in a public place, which includes exposing certain body parts, like male and female genitalia. It restricts females from displaying any part of their breast below the top of the areola. The ordinance prohits G-strings, thong underwear and body paint, body dye, tattoos, latex, tape or similar substances applied to the skin which can be washed off.
Exceptions in the ordinance include breast-feeding or expressing breast milk, performances which are not obscene, classes or seminars offered for scientific and educational purposes, nonobscene adult entertainment in adult entertainment facilities. The law does not apply to children younger than 10, nor does it apply to lawful, First Amendment protest.
Individuals who violate the ordinance, which become effective April 9, will be guilty of a misdeamor.
More than a dozen residents complained to the council in May about the “bikini-clad baristas” at local coffee stands and dozens of residents protested against public nudity at one of the coffee stands.
