An adult video store in Santa Maria, Calif. took a conflict to the federal court and won. The store, Diamond Video World, opened and began selling adult products in 2003. Months later, a zoning ordinance restricting levels of adult stock affected the store’s ability to operate. Owner Steve Diamond took the conflict to court and won.

The city zoning ordinance restricted locations where adult businesses may operate and limited stock levels to a cap of 25 percent of adult materials. As the ordinance took effect after the opening of Diamond Video World, the enforcement of the zoning was revoked in federal court.

During the legal process, Steve Diamond also fought a contempt of court ruling and also won this appeal. After the initial contempt of court ruling, Diamond had changed the name of his business from its previous name, Diamond Adult World, and also changed his selection of merchandise to abide by the city ordinance.

Now, since finding success in the federal court, Diamond may return to being a full-fledged adult business. There is a possibility that the city may decide to take the current ruling to the Supreme Court but in that instance Diamond is prepared to continue defending himself and his business. 

Diamond has spoken of the possibility with the Santa Maria Times, “If the city should do that, we would certainly file opposition with the Supreme Court and ask them not to take the case. The question would be, 'How much money would the taxpayers be willing to pay to do that?”