Efforts to ban new nightclubs in downtown Orlando could be extended through 2024.
ORLANDO, Florida. — The temporary ban on new nightclub openings in downtown Orlando is one step closer to extending for another six months, the Orlando City Council approved on Monday.
The initial moratorium went into effect on 20 March and will last until 20 September. If approved, the new regulation will extend this moratorium for another six months until March 20, 2024.
The ordinance temporarily prohibits the city from accepting, processing and deciding applications for new permits and zoning permits for downtown nightclubs. This includes clubs that are still in the process of obtaining permits or taking other necessary steps before they can reopen.
This expansion gives the city more time to figure out how best to control nightclubs in downtown Orlando. They are considering making changes to the regulation of alcoholic beverages and the city’s development rules. This additional time will also help officials gather more information and communicate it to the public.
The moratorium was first put in place in March to improve security and address the negative effects caused by the high concentration of nightclubs in the city center. It also aims to address the limited daytime activity due to the late night hours of these establishments.
It also established a new process for issuing alcohol permits, requiring any club or bar that sells alcohol between midnight and 2 a.m. to get a new permit, have metal detectors, document scanners, and additional security at the expense of the business owners.
The Orlando City Council will hear a final reading and public comment on the extension at its next meeting on August 14.
