HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 607 - Regulation of Obscenity
CHAPTER VI – GENERAL REGULATIONS
ORDINANCE 607 REGULATION OF OBSCENITY ....................................................... 607-1
Section 607.01: DEFINITIONS .................................................................................. 607-1
Section 607.02: DISPLAY PROHIBITED .................................................................. 607-1
Section 607.03: USE OR RENTAL OF VIDEO FILMS ............................................. 607-1
Section 607.04: EXEMPTED ORGANIZATIONS ..................................................... 607-1
Section 607.05: PENALTY ........................................................................................ 607-2
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CHAPTER VI – GENERAL REGULATIONS
ORDINANCE 607 REGULATION OF OBSCENITY
Section 607.01: DEFINITIONS.
Subd. 1: For purposes of this ordinance, "obscenity" is defined as any photograph,
drawing, film, or other form of visual communication which simulates or depicts the following:
a) Persons engaging in sexual intercourse, sodomy, oral copulation, flagellation or
any sexual act which is prohibited by law.
b) Masturbation or bestiality.
c) Pubic hair, anus, vulva, genitals or female breasts below the top of the areola.
Subd. 2: For purposes of this ordinance, "commercial activity" shall include any activity
undertaken for the purpose of financial gain. For purposes of Section 2 herein, the prohibited
acts are unlawful even if they are not specifically undertaken for financial gain but are occurring
in conjunction with or incidental to nonprohibited commercial activities.
Section 607.02: DISPLAY PROHIBITED. Any person or entity, while engaging in a
commercial activity within the City of St. Joseph, shall be prohibited from publicly displaying or
having available for public inspection any magazine, book, newspaper, photograph, or other
publication which in whole or in part contains obscenity as defined herein, or to allow inspection
or viewing of the same by any person under the age of 19 years.
Section 607.03: USE OR RENTAL OF VIDEO FILMS.
Subd. 1: No person shall allow an individual under the age of 18 to rent or view any
films or videotapes which are made available for rental or use by general members of the public,
if the film or videotape received an "X" or "NR17" rating by the motion picture code.
Subd. 2: No person shall allow an individual under the age of 17 to rent or view any
films or videotapes which are made available for rental or use by general members of the public,
if the film or videotape has received an "R" rating by the motion picture code.
Section 607.04: EXEMPTED ORGANIZATIONS. This ordinance shall not apply to
any films or videotapes shown in conjunction with any legitimate and bona fide educational
program, nor shall it apply to any publications contained in a public library or school library of
any licensed educational institution.
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CHAPTER VI – GENERAL REGULATIONS
Section 607.05: PENALTY. A violation of any portion of this ordinance shall be
punishable as a misdemeanor, as otherwise provided in this Code of Ordinances.
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