A long-standing restriction on certain adult establishments in Minneapolis could soon be rolled back as city leaders revisit policies that date back nearly four decades.
According to Fox News, members of the Minneapolis City Council are preparing to consider a series of ordinances that would legalize and regulate venues where consenting adults can engage in sexual activity.
If approved, the changes would mark a significant shift from a 1988 ban that effectively shut down bathhouses and similar businesses.
That earlier ordinance prohibited establishments tied to what it described as “high-risk sexual conduct,” including various acts for pay. At the time, the rule led to the closure of such venues across the city.
Now, officials are looking to overhaul that framework.
According to The Minnesota Star Tribune, the proposed measures would remove what’s been described as “stigmatizing language” and introduce updated definitions to reflect establishments that facilitate consensual activity between adults.
Advocates pushing for the changes argue the current rules are outdated and counterproductive. The Safer Sex Spaces Coalition has been at the forefront of that effort, saying the ban has had unintended consequences.
“The Minneapolis Health Department and other public health organizations acknowledge this ordinance is no longer the tool needed to promote public health. Social science research tells us that commercial sex spaces, like gay saunas, are important for promoting safer sex practices, enhancing HIV prevention, and increasing access to testing and treatment. These spaces also enhance feelings of identity, camaraderie, authenticity, and belonging. They are spaces where people overcome isolation and develop a sense of community and pride,” the coalition said.
City leaders are considering multiple ordinances as part of the overhaul.
One proposal would create a new licensing structure for adult venues, setting rules for how such businesses operate. Another would revise zoning definitions related to sexually oriented establishments.
Additional measures would update health and sanitation codes tied to contagious diseases and carve out exceptions in the city’s criminal code for licensed venues that permit consensual activity.
A spokesperson for Jacob Frey said the mayor supports continuing discussions on the issue.
The debate also revisits the legacy of the original ban. Brian Coyle, the first openly gay member of the city council, supported the 1988 ordinance at the time, reflecting concerns within parts of the LGBTQ+ community during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis.
Before the ban took effect, establishments like the 315 Health Club had already begun scaling back operations, including closing certain rooms and promoting AIDS prevention efforts.
Council President Elliott Payne said any new framework would likely mirror regulations seen in San Francisco, where strict health and safety standards govern similar venues.
The proposals are expected to spark continued debate as the city weighs public health, safety, and shifting cultural attitudes.
