Topsail topless? Commissioner looks to prohibit topless sunbathing
Topsail Beach leaders are looking at having an ordinance that would prohibit topless sunbathing.
The matter is scheduled to be discussed Wednesday during a meeting for the board of commissioners. Commissioner Tim Zizack made the request.
"I think as a family-oriented beach, we need to have that ordinance in place," Zizack said.
While Zizack said Topsail Beach doesn't have one, the neighboring town of Surf City does. For Surf City, a provided example says that exposure of female breasts are prohibited in public places, "or in such a manner that there may be seen from any street or highway, any place of entertainment, including any restaurant, club, or any other public place of any kind by a member or members of the opposite sex."
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Zizack said there hasn't been any issues, but he would like to have some rules on the books.
"It's more of a statement that we're a family community and we're just being cautious to make sure we have an ordinance like other beach town communities," he said.
In North Topsail Beach, north of Surf City, sunbathing is not regulated.
"North Topsail Beach does not have any laws/rules prohibiting topless sunbathing and we have not had any complaints in recent years," Town Manager Alice Derian said.
During the Topsail Beach meeting, commissioners will review the state ordinance and laws from other cities and towns in the Wilmington area with Topsail Beach attorney Stephen Coggins. Examples were provided from areas such as Wrightsville Beach and the Town of Oak Island. The laws regarding are similar to Surf City.
A public nudity rule for Carolina Beach added that it's unlawful for anybody on the beach, public street or park to show other body parts such as the male or female pubic area.
Zizack believes Topsail Beach should follow suit.
"I don't think it would hurt having an ordinance versus not having an ordinance," he said.
Reporter Chase Jordan can be reached at cjjordan@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Topsail topless? Commissioner looks to prohibit topless sunbathing
