Public nudity – and even some nudity on private property – would be restricted under a new ordinance to be considered Tuesday by Cowley County Commissioners.
The ordinance has developed quickly in recent weeks in response to a resident, in the IXL area of Ark City, who has been taking nude walks in his neighborhood for some time. The issue has drawn considerable media and social media attention.
A portion of the draft ordinance reads as follows:
“It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly or intentionally appear in a state of nudity in a public place or on private property (outside of the home) where visible to others.”
Exceptions will be made for children under 10, breastfeeding mothers and various other situations defined in the ordinance. You can view that entire text here.
A fine of $500 and 30 days in jail will be the punishment for offenses.
The commission meeting is set for 9 a.m. Tuesday in the assembly room of the Cowley County Courthouse in Winfield. If approved, the ordinance would take effect following the publication of public notices.