ORLANDO, Fla. — Editor’s note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal.
Three Orlando businesses have filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Orlando and Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith, challenging the city’s after midnight alcohol sales land-use permit ordinance.
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The ordinance — approved March 20, 2023, and in effect since then — requires certain businesses in the downtown entertainment area (DEA) to pay for police protection between 10:30 p.m. and 3:30 a.m. on weekends. The plaintiffs allege that this ordinance is an unconstitutional financial burden, that it allegedly targets their businesses selectively while exempting other venues.
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The lawsuit was filed Sept. 13 by 6064 NOA LLC, 4654 NOA LLC and Celine Orlando LLC.
Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journal’s website.
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