San Diego City Council Considers Repeal of 1980s Bathhouse Ordinance

San Diego, CA, August 31, 2026 —

The San Diego City Council is currently deliberating on the potential repeal of a decades-old ordinance pertaining to bathhouses. This ordinance, originally enacted during the peak of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in 1988 and subsequently updated in 1991, is now under review for possible removal from the city’s municipal code.

The historical context surrounding the ordinance’s creation points to public health concerns prevalent during the late 1980s and early 1990s, a period marked by significant fear and misunderstanding surrounding the HIV/AIDS crisis. The specific provisions and requirements mandated by the ordinance for bathhouse operations during that era are not detailed in the available information.

Council members are reportedly considering the repeal as part of an effort to update city regulations and address ordinances that may no longer be relevant or necessary. The exact reasons prompting the council to revisit this specific law at this time were not provided. The timeline for when this consideration began or when a final decision might be reached was also not specified.

Further details regarding the potential impacts of repealing the ordinance, such as its effect on public health strategies, business operations, or community perspectives, have not been released. The process for reviewing and potentially repealing city ordinances typically involves public hearings and multiple council votes, but the specific procedural steps for this particular measure are not yet outlined. The council’s decision-making process is ongoing.

Story summarized from the original created by Andrew Bowen on www.kpbs.org, see more information here.

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