Seattle voters on Tuesday soundly rejected new strip club regulations that included a ban on lap dancing.
In rejecting Seattle Referendum 1, voters threw out regulations the City Council adopted last year in anticipation of later court ruling that declared its 17-year moratorium on strip clubs illegal, the Seattle Times reported.
A final vote tally was not available.
The new regulations called for dancers to remain at least four feet away from customers, effectively prohibiting lap dancing and any touching during performances by dancers or customers.
The measure also bars direct tipping of dancers and required brighter lighting inside clubs as well as banned any dancing in private rooms.
The referendum was placed on the Nov. 7 ballot by several area clubs that aim to overturn the city’s tough ordinance regulating clubs that was approved last year.
Rules supporters, like Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, have said that the restrictions would allow police to more easily inspect clubs and spot violations. But the city was unable to show much evidence suggesting strip clubs cause crime problems.
The referendum result may bring new strip clubs to the city for the first time in decades, some say. The city had a moratorium on new clubs since 1988, until a judge struck it down last year.
