Private Visual Presentations in Commercial Establishments.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 80-3
in effect80-3. Private Visual Presentations in Commercial Establishments.
Commercial establishments which offer private viewing of movies, tapes, slides, pictures or live performance of any kind shall comply with the following:
1. BOOTH ACCESS. Each booth shall be totally accessible to and from aisles and public areas of the establishment. Access to a booth shall be unrestricted by doors, locks or other control-type devices.
2. BOOTH CONSTRUCTION. a. Any booth used to view a movie, tape, slide, picture or live performance of any kind must be so constructed as to discourage sexual activity and the spread of communicable disease by including, but not being limited to the following requirements:
a-1. Every booth shall be separated from adjacent booths and any nonpublic areas by a wall.
a-2. Every booth shall have at least one side totally open to a public, lighted aisle so that there is an unobstructed view at all times of anyone occupying the booth.
a-3. All walls shall:
a-3-a. Be solid, without any openings.
a-3-b. Extend from the floor to a height of not less than 6 feet.
a-3-c. Be light-colored, nonabsorbent, smooth-textured and easily cleanable.
b. The floor must be light-colored, nonabsorbent, smooth-textured and easily cleanable.
c. The lighting level of each booth when not in use shall be a minimum of 10 foot candles at all times.
3. BOOTH OCCUPANTS. a. Only one individual shall occupy a booth at any time.
b. No individual occupying a booth shall, at any time, engage in any type of sexual activity or cause any bodily discharge or litter associated with sexual activity while in the booth.
c. No individual shall damage or deface any portion of the booth.
4. OPERATOR RESPONSIBILITY. It shall be the responsibility of the owner, operator, licensee and employees of the establishment to
a. Maintain the premises in a clean and sanitary manner at all times.
b. Maintain at least 10 foot candles of light in the public portion of the establishment, including aisles, at all times.
c. Insure compliance of the establishment and its patrons with the provisions of this section.
d. Post the regulations concerning booth occupancy on signs, with lettering at least one inch high, that are placed in conspicuous areas of the establishment and in each of the viewing booths.
5. ENFORCEMENT. a. Both the department and the police department shall have the authority to inspect the premises during operating hours and to enforce the provisions of this section.
b. Failure to comply with the requirements of this section may constitute grounds for the suspension, revocation or nonrenewal of licenses issued by the city to operate such an establishment.
c. Violation of any provision of this section constitutes a public nuisance.
Source: City of Milwaukee Legislative Reference Bureau, Milwaukee City Charter and Code of Ordinances (city.milwaukee.gov master PDFs)URL: https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccClerk/Ordinances/Volume-1/CH80.pdf#page=2Fetched: 10/26/2026