Lime Lounge, Inc. v. City of Des Moines ( 2023 )


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  •                     IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF IOWA
    No. 22-0473
    Filed February 8, 2023
    LIME LOUNGE, LLC,
    Plaintiff-Appellant,
    vs.
    CITY OF DES MOINES, IOWA,
    Defendant-Appellee.
    ________________________________________________________________
    Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Polk County, Dustria A. Relph,
    Judge.
    A business appeals a district court’s denial of its motion for declaratory
    judgment, asserting an irreconcilable conflict between state law and a local
    ordinance. AFFIRMED.
    Cornelius S. Qualley and George Qualley IV of Qualley Law, P.L.C., Des
    Moines, for appellant.
    John O. Haraldson, Assistant City Attorney for City of Des Moines, for
    appellee.
    Considered by Vaitheswaran, P.J., and Greer and Schumacher, JJ.
    2
    SCHUMACHER, Judge.
    Lime Lounge, LLC (Lime Lounge) appeals a district court ruling that denied
    its request for a permanent injunction and dissolved a temporary injunction that
    restrained the City of Des Moines (Des Moines) from seeking to revoke Lime
    Lounge’s state liquor license.      Lime Lounge contends the basis for the
    revocation—Lime Lounge’s failure to maintain their conditional use permit (CUP)
    as required by Des Moines’s municipal code—is preempted by state law. Lime
    Lounge also claims the ordinance violates the equal protection clause of the state
    and federal constitutions. Further, they assert the CUP constitutes illegal spot
    zoning. We conclude the city’s ordinance related to the CUP is not preempted by
    state law. Additionally, the ordinance does not violate the equal protection clause,
    nor does it amount to illegal spot zoning. Accordingly, we affirm.
    I.     Background Facts & Proceedings
    Lime Lounge owns and operates a bar in the East Village of Des Moines, a
    mixed use neighborhood that contains commercial and residential buildings. The
    bar has operated since 2011, although not always in the current location.
    Generally, to sell liquor or other alcoholic beverages in this state, an
    establishment must comply with the provisions of Iowa Code chapter 123 (2019).
    In particular, the establishment must submit a liquor control license application to
    the state Alcoholic Beverages Division (ABD). See 
    Iowa Code §§ 123.2
    , .31. The
    code sets out the applicable fees for the applications. See 
    id.
     § 123.36. Some of
    the fees, depending on the type of license, are remitted to the local authority—the
    city—in which the licensee operates. Id. § 123.36(8). Prior to the ABD receiving
    the application, however, the application must be filed with the local authority,
    3
    which is directed to either approve or disapprove of the application.         See id.
    § 123.32(2). The application is then forwarded to the ABD. See id. If approved
    by the local authority, the ABD performs the necessary investigation of the
    establishment and either affirms, modifies, or reverses the local authority’s
    decision.   See id.   § 123.32(6)(b).    If the local authority disapproves of the
    application, the applicant has the ability to appeal the decision to the administrator
    of the ABD. See id. § 123.32(6)(a).
    To operate an establishment selling alcoholic beverages in Des Moines, an
    additional step is required. Pursuant to Des Moines Municipal Code section 134-
    954, an establishment may be required to obtain a CUP in order to be approved
    by the city’s Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBOA). That section places different
    requirements on establishments based on the type of business they are engaged
    in—i.e., whether they are restaurants, bars, gas stations, etc.—the zoning district
    they are in, and the type of alcoholic beverages they serve. Des Moines, Iowa,
    Municipal Code § 134-954 (2019). A CUP is only granted if the business meets
    certain requirements, including maintaining trash receptacles, compliance with
    noise ordinances, and avoiding other issues that might constitute a nuisance. Id.
    § 134-954(b), (c). The CUP requires an application—distinct from the state liquor
    license control application—which is either approved or rejected by the ZBOA. It
    also requires payment of certain fees. The city will not consider a liquor control
    license application until the CUP, if necessary, is approved.
    Lime Lounge obtained a CUP and had their liquor control license approved
    in 2011. In 2015, the ZBOA amended Lime Lounge’s CUP after multiple noise
    complaints. The ZBOA revoked Lime Lounge’s CUP in March 2016. Lime Lounge
    4
    challenged the revocation. The revocation was upheld on appeal. Lime Lounge,
    LLC v. Zoning Bd. of Adjustment of Des Moines, No. 18-0155, 
    2019 WL 480197
    ,
    at *11 (Iowa Ct. App. Feb. 6, 2019).
    On May 14, 2019, Des Moines filed a complaint with the ABD to revoke
    Lime Lounge’s state liquor license on the basis of the establishment’s failure to
    comply with local ordinances. See 
    Iowa Code § 123.30
    (2). Lime Lounge filed a
    motion for declaratory judgment on June 3 and a motion for temporary injunction
    on July 29. The temporary injunction was granted October 4. Des Moines filed a
    motion to deny a permanent injunction and dismiss the suit on November 4, 2021.
    A bench trial was held. On January 20, 2022, the district court dissolved the
    temporary injunction, denied a permanent injunction, and dismissed the suit. Lime
    Lounge filed a motion to reconsider, which was denied.        Lime Lounge now
    appeals.1
    II.    Standard of Review
    Whether Des Moines’s municipal code is preempted by state law or is illegal
    spot zoning are questions of law.      As such, we review the court’s ruling for
    correction of errors of law. Pexa v. Auto Owners Ins. Co., 
    686 N.W.2d 150
    , 155
    (Iowa 2004). We review constitutional challenges de novo. State v. Mitchell, 
    757 N.W.2d 431
    , 434 (Iowa 2008).
    III.   Is the Municipal Code Preempted by Chapter 123?
    Lime Lounge contends Des Moines Municipal Code section 134-954 and
    the accompanying CUP requirement is preempted by Iowa Code chapter 123.
    1Lime Lounge also sought a motion to stay, which was denied by the supreme
    court on August 2, 2022.
    5
    They claim the ordinance is preempted because it requires an additional permit
    and fees in order to obtain a state liquor license, which is in conflict with Iowa Code
    section 123.37. Lime Lounge also asserts the ordinance usurps the State’s police
    power, see Iowa Code section 123.1, and violates the appeal procedure as
    established in state code. See 
    Iowa Code §§ 123.32
    ; .39.
    Under article III, section 38A of the Iowa Constitution, municipalities
    generally have the authority to regulate their own affairs so long as their actions
    are not inconsistent with state law. The provision is referred to as “home rule.”
    Davenport v. Seymour, 
    755 N.W.2d 533
    , 537-38 (Iowa 2008). When considering
    whether a local ordinance conflicts with state law, we utilize the doctrine of
    preemption. 
    Id. at 538
    . “The general thrust of the preemption doctrine in the
    context of local affairs is that municipalities cannot act if the legislature has directed
    otherwise.    When exercised, legislative power trumps the power of local
    authorities.” 
    Id.
     While there are generally three types of preemption—express,
    conflict, and field—Lime Lounge explicitly limits their claim to express preemption.
    See 
    id. at 538-39
    .       Express preemption “applies where the legislature has
    specifically prohibited local action in a given area.” 
    Id. at 538
    . We look to the
    “specific language used by the legislature” to determine whether express
    preemption applies. 
    Id.
    We first examine Des Moines’s requirement that certain establishments
    obtain a CUP and pay additional fees. Iowa Code section 123.37(1) provides, “The
    power to establish licenses and permits and levy taxes as imposed in this chapter
    is vested exclusively with the state. Unless specifically provided, a local authority
    shall not require the obtaining of a special license or permit for the sale of alcoholic
    6
    beverages at any establishment . . . .” Lime Lounge suggests that provision
    expressly preempts the city’s actions—only the State can impose permits and
    taxes.
    We disagree. As a starting point, we do not believe section 123.37 applies
    to the city’s actions. Municipal Code section 134-954 is expressly related to “[t]he
    use of land in all districts for the sale of alcoholic liquor, wine and beer.” (Emphasis
    added). As the district court noted, “The ordinance does not require a permit for
    the sale of alcohol, it requires a permit to use certain premises for the sale of
    alcohol.” It’s a land-use regulation, not a regulation on the sale of alcohol. Thus,
    the requirement to obtain a CUP is not a permit requirement “for the sale of
    alcoholic beverages.”
    Viewing the rest of chapter 123 supports this conclusion. See Doe v. State,
    
    943 N.W.2d 608
    , 610 (Iowa 2020) (explaining that we read statutory provisions in
    context rather than in isolation). When we do so, it is apparent the legislature
    provides Des Moines the authority to impose regulations so long as they do not
    impose taxes and permits on liquor licenses themselves or restrict the hours during
    which alcohol may be sold. For instance, section 123.39(2) provides:
    Local authorities may adopt ordinances or regulations for the location
    of the premises of liquor control licensed and retail wine or beer
    permitted establishments and local authorities may adopt
    ordinances, not in conflict with this chapter and that do not diminish
    the hours during which alcoholic beverages may be sold or
    consumed at retail, governing any other activities or matters which
    may affect the retail sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages
    and the health, welfare and morals of the community involved.
    (Emphasis added.) That section expressly provides cities with the authority to
    regulate the physical premises of an establishment licensed by the State, and it
    7
    provides cities with the authority to adopt regulations related to “activities or
    matters” that affect the sale of alcohol so long as the regulations protect the “health,
    welfare and morals of the community.” 
    Iowa Code § 123.37
    (2). Municipal Code
    section 134-954 includes provisions related to trash collection, avoiding
    congestion and loitering, the location of doors facing certain streets, and noise
    limits. Preventing unsanitary conditions, ensuring the safety of patrons by limiting
    large groups and ensuring access to certain streets, and limiting unnecessary
    noise all relate to the health, welfare, and morals of the community. Thus, rather
    than being preempted by code, the legislature expressly provided cities with the
    authority to impose these types of regulations.
    Lime Lounge contends this case is controlled by Iowa Grocery Industry
    Association v. City of Des Moines, 
    712 N.W.2d 675
     (Iowa 2006). That case
    involved a Des Moines ordinance that required an administrative fee on
    applications for state liquor licenses separate from the fee imposed by state law.
    Iowa Grocery, 
    712 N.W.2d at 677-78
    . Our supreme court found the ordinance was
    preempted by Iowa Code chapter 123. In particular, the court noted the ordinance
    conflicted with the existing fee structure and repayment system, undermined
    uniformity in the license applications process, and imposed additional
    requirements on applications. 
    Id. at 680-82
    .
    While some of the policy rationale behind Iowa Grocery could apply to this
    case, we find the case inapposite. Fundamentally, the ordinances are distinct. In
    Iowa Grocery, the ordinance imposed a fee on license applications. 
    Id. at 681
    . As
    such, the city administrative fee was directly preempted by chapter 123’s
    provisions related to the application process and the imposition of fees for
    8
    applications. 
    Id.
     Here, the CUP and accompanying fees are separate from the
    application for the state license. As explained above, the ordinance and permits
    regulate the use of premises selling alcohol rather than imposing regulations on
    the sale itself. Thus, whereas the city was expressly prohibited from imposing
    additional fees on liquor license applications in Iowa Grocery, here the city is acting
    under the authority conferred to it by Iowa Code section 123.39.
    Lime Lounge’s preemption claim involving the State’s police powers is
    similarly without merit. It is true that section 123.1 notes that the chapter “shall be
    deemed an exercise of the police power of the state.” However, section 123.39
    permits cities to exercise their own power to regulate the health, welfare, and
    morals of the community.       And section 123.30(2) requires establishments to
    comply with local ordinances. It would make little sense for the legislature to
    prohibit cities from imposing regulations while also requiring establishments
    comply with them.
    We also find Des Moines’s municipal code is not preempted by the appeal
    procedure of chapter 123. Lime Lounge essentially claims that once the ZBOA
    revokes a CUP, the only matter before the ABD is whether the licensee is
    complying with local ordinances that require a CUP. As a result, Lime Lounge
    asserts it is impossible to challenge the revocation of the CUP to the ABD. But the
    fact that the CUP revocation has collateral consequences does not undermine the
    appeal process found in chapter 123. The chapter clearly contemplates that non-
    compliance with local ordinances can be grounds for license revocation. See 
    Iowa Code § 123.30
    (2). Any appeal to the ABD concerning non-compliance with a local
    ordinance would be focused on the act of non-compliance, not the validity of the
    9
    local ordinance. And we note that Lime Lounge already utilized the judicial process
    to challenge the validity of its CUP revocation. See Lime Lounge, 
    2019 WL 480197
    , at *5-6.
    Des Moines’s CUP requirement and accompanying fee is not preempted by
    the Iowa Code. As such, the city had the authority, pursuant to the home rule
    doctrine and Iowa Code section 123.39, to regulate the premises of establishments
    selling alcohol. We reject Lime Lounge’s preemption claim.
    IV.   Equal Protection Clause
    Lime Lounge asserts Municipal Code section 134-954(a) violates the equal
    protection clause of the Iowa and United States constitutions.2 In particular, they
    allege the code allows the ZBOA to impose different restrictions on similar
    businesses that are arbitrary and capricious. The conditions imposed by Municipal
    Code section 134-954(a), which can include obtaining a CUP, requiring a certain
    amount of sales be obtained via food receipts, and imposing distance requirements
    to certain establishments like schools, are based on the type of business,3 the
    zoning district the business occupies, and the type of liquor license it holds. Lime
    Lounge appears to only contest the portion of the code that requires certain
    businesses, but not others, to obtain a CUP.
    2 “[W]hile we will generally apply the same analysis to federal and state equal
    protection claims, this court has not foreclosed the possibility that there may be
    situations where differences in scope, import, or purpose of the two provisions
    warrant divergent analyses.” Racing Ass’n of Cent. Iowa v. Fitzgerald, 
    675 N.W.2d 1
    , 5 (Iowa 2004). Neither party suggests we should treat Lime Lounge’s state and
    federal equal protection claims separately. As such, we analyze the claims
    together.
    3 Municipal Code section 134-954(a) establishes different requirements for “food
    sales establishments and retail sales establishments,” gas stations or convenience
    stores, liquor stores, tobacco stores, restaurants, and taverns.
    10
    “[T]he Equal Protection clause ‘is essentially a direction that all persons
    similarly situated should be treated alike.’” Fitzgerald, 
    675 N.W.2d at 7
     (quoting
    City of Cleburne v. Cleburne Living Ctr., 
    473 U.S. 432
    , 439 (1985)). “Whether this
    ideal has been met in the context of economic legislation is determined through
    application of the rational basis test.” 
    Id.
     “Under this test, we must determine
    whether the classification is ‘rationally related to a legitimate governmental
    purpose.’” King v. State, 
    818 N.W.2d 1
    , 27 (Iowa 2012) (citation omitted). “The
    classification is valid ‘unless the relationship between the classification and the
    purpose behind it is so weak the classification must be viewed as arbitrary or
    capricious.’” 
    Id. at 27-28
     (citation omitted). Statutes carry “a strong presumption
    of constitutionality,” and it is the plaintiff’s burden to negate “every reasonable
    basis that might support the disparate treatment.” Fitzgerald, 
    675 N.W.2d at 8
    (citation omitted)
    Lime Lounge makes two distinct claims here. First, they allege the varied
    requirements—particularly the necessity of obtaining a CUP and the fees
    necessary to do so—imposed on different establishments such as restaurants,
    bars, and retail establishments are arbitrary. See Des Moines, Iowa, Municipal
    Code § 134-954(a). Second, they allege the municipal ordinance allows the ZBOA
    to “impose virtually any condition which it can contemplate—and, more
    onerously—on an individualized basis.” See id. § 134-954(c).
    The city’s classification system for various establishments selling alcoholic
    beverages does not violate Lime Lounge’s equal protection rights. The city has a
    legitimate purpose in ensuring the health, welfare, and safety of the community.
    In relation to businesses that serve alcohol, cities have an interest in regulating
    11
    noise levels, maintaining clean public spaces, and ensuring the area is safe for
    patrons and other citizens. The distinction drawn by Des Moines’s Municipal Code
    between bars, restaurants, and other retail establishments is rationally related to
    that purpose. As the city points out, bars tend to operate later in the evening than
    restaurants, be louder—both because of music and patrons—and have increased
    law enforcement involvement. This is particularly true when compared to retail
    establishments that sell alcohol that is consumed elsewhere. Requiring additional
    permitting—which delineates noise, lighting, and sanitary requirements—for
    certain businesses that are more likely to exhibit additional nuisance behaviors is
    rationally related to protecting the community.
    We also reject Lime Lounge’s claim that the ordinance allows the ZBOA
    unfettered discretion in imposing permitting restrictions.      Contrary to Lime
    Lounge’s contentions, the ZBOA is limited to imposing conditions “as may be
    reasonably required by the board to ensure that the criteria of subsection (b),
    above, are satisfied.”4   Id.   Subsection (b) mandates that (1) the business’s
    “location, design, construction and operation of the particular use adequately
    safeguards the health, safety and general welfare of persons” in the surrounding
    area, (2) the business is separate enough from other structures to prevent noise
    harming the adjoining areas, (3) the business does “not unduly increase
    congestion on the streets” of the area, and (4) the business does not constitute a
    nuisance. Thus, the board is limited to imposing individualized restrictions on
    4The business must also comply with the “general conditions” found in Municipal
    Code section 134-954(c), which involves adequate lighting, compliance with noise
    ordinances, limiting loitering, and adequate trash removal.
    12
    businesses in only a handful of circumstances, all of which relate to minimizing the
    harmful impacts of the business on the community.
    We acknowledge that certain individualized zoning restrictions could
    conceivably violate the equal protection clause. This is not such a case. As
    explained above, the city has an interest in protecting the community’s health and
    welfare. The East Village of Des Moines is a mixed-use neighborhood, containing
    both commercial and residential buildings. Tailoring certain zoning restrictions
    related to noise, congestion, and other nuisance behavior to the specific
    circumstances of the area is rationally related to promoting the community’s
    welfare.
    V.     Spot Zoning
    Lime Lounge asserts Municipal Code section 134-954 amounts to illegal
    spot zoning.    “Spot zoning is the creation of a small island of property with
    restrictions on its use different from those imposed on surrounding property.”
    Residential & Agric. Advisory Comm., LLC v. Dyersville City Council, 
    888 N.W.2d 24
    , 45 (Iowa 2016) (quoting Perkins v. Bd. of Supervisors of Madison Cnty, 
    636 N.W.2d 58
    , 67 (Iowa 2001)). However, not all spot zoning is illegal. 
    Id.
     We use a
    three-part test to determine if spot zoning is valid:
    (1) whether the new zoning is germane to an object within the police
    power; (2) whether there is a reasonable basis for making a
    distinction between the spot zoned land and the surrounding
    property; and (3) whether the rezoning is consistent with the
    comprehensive plan.
    Id. at 46 (citation omitted). “[T]here must be substantial and reasonable grounds
    or basis for the discrimination when one lot or tract is singled out.” Id. (citation
    omitted).
    13
    First, we agree with the district court that the municipal code does not
    amount to spot zoning. Lime Lounge provided four examples of conditional use
    permits for neighboring properties that have minor variations in noise restrictions.
    However, these differences are merely semantic.           Three of those properties,
    including Lime Lounge’s, are restricted to non-amplified sound that cannot exceed
    what would be “considered background auditory in nature.” Only one property is
    permitted to use amplified sound on certain occasions. Contrary to Lime Lounge’s
    assertion, their property is not “a small island” with different restrictions than the
    rest.
    Even if we were to consider this spot zoning, it would not be illegal. As
    noted above, the noise restrictions and other directives limiting nuisance behavior
    fall squarely within the city’s police power.       Furthermore, in the mixed-use
    community, utilizing permits with varied directives allows the city to pursue the dual
    goals of maintaining an entertainment district while also limiting the disturbances
    to the residential buildings in the area. Finally, the zoning in this case is consistent
    with that plan—establishments are given conditions that are relevant to limiting
    nuisance behavior for the surrounding buildings. Des Moines’s zoning does not
    constitute illegal spot zoning.
    14
    VI.   Conclusion
    We find Des Moines Municipal Code section 134-954 is not preempted by
    state code. Further, the municipal code does not violate Lime Lounge’s equal
    protection rights, nor does it constitute illegal spot zoning.   The district court
    properly dissolved the temporary injunction and rejected Lime Lounge’s request
    for a permanent injunction.
    AFFIRMED.