Treants Enterprises, Inc. v. Onslow County

MARTIN, Justice.

Plaintiff successfully sought to enjoin the enforcement of an Onslow County ordinance that imposes licensing requirements on businesses purveying male or female “companionship.” The superior court’s order was affirmed by the Court of Appeals on constitutional grounds. Today we affirm the decision of the Court of Appeals.

On 19 June 1985 Onslow County enacted an ordinance entitled, “An Ordinance Regulating Businesses Providing Male or Female Companionship” (amended 1 July 1985). Like the massage parlor ordinance that preceded it, this ordinance was intended to prevent the use of…