A federal judge has denied a request from several downtown Orlando bar owners to temporarily halt a city ordinance requiring certain establishments to pay for late-night police protection. The ruling means the measure, which has been in effect since May 2023, will remain in place while a lawsuit challenging its legality moves forward.
The ordinance was introduced as part of the city’s efforts to address crime following multiple shootings in the downtown area. It requires specific bars to cover the cost of police presence between 10:30 p.m. and 3:30 a.m. Business owners who are part of the lawsuit argue the regulation places an unconstitutional financial burden on their operations and unfairly targets their establishments while excluding other venues.
Filed last fall, the lawsuit names both the City of Orlando and the police chief as defendants. Plaintiffs contend that city-owned venues such as Camping World Stadium and the Dr. Phillips Center—both of which host large events and serve alcohol—are not subject to the same late-night permit program, despite attracting tens of thousands of people to downtown streets and parking lots.
While the case continues through the court system, the ruling ensures the ordinance will remain in effect, requiring participating businesses to continue paying for additional security until a final decision is issued.