Opinion ID: 479002
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Ordinances Banning Public Exposure

Text: 2 The Pierce County and Snohomish County ordinances prohibit public nudity, but do not apply to the following: 3 A. Expressive dance means any dance which, when considered in the context of the entire performance, constitutes an expression of theme, story, or ideas, but excluding any dance such as, but not limited to, common barroom type topless dancing which, when considered in the context of the entire performance, is presented primarily as a means of displaying nudity as a sales device or for other commercial exploitation without substantial expression of theme, story or ideas. 4 B. Play, opera, musical or other dramatic work; 5 C. Class, seminar, or lecture, conducted for a scientific, medical or educational purpose; 6 D. Nudity within a locker room or other similar facility used for changing clothing in connection with athletic or exercise activities. 7 Snohomish County Code, (SCC), Sec. 10.04.040 A-D; Pierce County Code, (PCC), Sec. 35.02.308 A-D (substantially similar language). 8 Both Counties provide affirmative defenses to prosecution: 9 It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution for violation of [the ordinance] that the nudity or other public exposure, when considered in the context in which presented, provided actual literary, artistic, political or scientific value and was not provided for commercial or sexual exploitation or with an emphasis on an appeal to a prurient interest. 10 SCC Sec. 10.04.110; PCC Sec. 35.02.309. 11 To summarize, the ordinances prohibit nude exposure except that which is expressive dance, or that nudity connected with drama, science, education, or athletic locker rooms. Common barroom type topless dancing is expressly prohibited.