Opinion ID: 1268047
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: county's authority

Text: Centaur contends that enabling statutes do not grant County the power to regulate sexually oriented businesses, specifically regarding internal configurations. We disagree. Among those enumerated powers granted to counties by statute is one to provide for land use and promulgate regulations pursuant thereto subject to the provisions of Chapter 7 of Title 6. S.C. Code Ann. § 4-9-30 (9) (1986). Chapter 7 of Title 6 provides in part: For the purposes of guiding development in accordance with existing and future needs and in order to protect, promote, and improve the public health, safety, morals, convenience, order, appearance, prosperity, and general welfare, the governing authorities of municipalities and counties may, in accordance with the conditions and procedures specified in this chapter, regulate ... the uses of buildings, structures, and land for ... public activities, and other purposes. S.C. Code Ann. § 6-7-710 (Supp. 1989). The regulation of sexually oriented businesses and their interiors, pertaining as it does to the public use of buildings, is plainly embraced by the enabling statutes. Moreover, the record clearly demonstrates that the internal configuration requirements of peep booths promote the public health and general welfare. See also Wall Distributors, Inc. v. City of Newport News , 782 F (2d) 1165 (4th Cir.1986); Suburban Video, Inc. v. City of Delafield , 694 F. Supp. 585 (E.D. Wis. 1988); Broadway Books, Inc. v. Roberts , 642 F. Supp. 486 (E.D. Tenn. 1986). The regulation here is a proper exercise of the County's statutory authority. [2]