Tokyo Valentino Lawsuit, DeKalb Revokes Building Permit, Multiple Georgia Locations Face Closure Over Zoning Violations 2026
On October 9, 2025, DeKalb County revoked the building permit for Tokyo Valentino’s planned location at 1850 Lawrenceville Highway in Greater Decatur, marking the latest chapter in the adult retailer’s multi-decade legal battle across Georgia. In December 2023, Cobb Superior Court enjoined three Marietta sex shops including Tokyo Valentino for operating without proper adult establishment licenses. Owner Michael Morrison continues fighting multiple lawsuits across metro Atlanta counties while several locations have closed permanently.
What the Tokyo Valentino Lawsuit Is About
Tokyo Valentino faces legal challenges in multiple Georgia counties over zoning violations and licensing disputes. Morrison entered into a lease with Air Hospitality Group for the Greater Decatur space and hired MSM Builders to remediate before moving in. However, county officials revoked the permit after reviewing the business license application.
The Marietta City Council voted to suspend the Cobb Parkway shop’s business license in summer 2020. Tokyo Valentino appealed the decision in Cobb Superior Court and filed a federal lawsuit alleging several constitutional violations including free speech. Understanding how First Amendment lawsuit like npr-lawsuit-against-trump claims work helps explain Morrison’s legal strategy.
Multiple Counties Target Tokyo Valentino Operations
Marietta updated its adult establishments ordinance in 2022 for the first time in decades. Changes included requiring special adult establishment licenses, restrictions on hours and building materials, and barring shops within 1,000 feet of churches, schools, libraries, and residential zones.
Judge Greg Poole found Tantra and Elations continued illegally operating after being ordered not to in 2023. Then he addressed Tokyo Valentino’s operations.
Judge Poole tossed the appeal in fall 2022, agreeing with the city that the shop employed a “bait and switch” tactic to obtain the license. The court found Tokyo Valentino misrepresented its business model when applying for permits.
DeKalb County Revokes Building Permit in October 2025
Morrison said on the business license application that Tokyo Valentino would be selling marital aids less than the 20% allowed under Section 15-401.A. He described it as a general retail store selling clothing, lingerie, shoes, pipes, tobacco accessories, lotions, and less than 20% adult material.
Morrison added in his letter to the county that Tokyo Valentino is not an adult business since adult wares would comply with the allowed threshold. Morrison stated “We mostly serve the LGBTQ+ community” and “This location has no live entertainment, nor video booths”.
Residents opposed the location. One reader told Decaturish “We don’t want Lawrenceville Highway to become the next Cheshire Bridge Road, especially not adjacent to our neighborhood”. Neighborhood concerns about property values and public conduct influenced county decisions.
Legal Claims Filed Across Multiple Jurisdictions
Morrison filed federal lawsuits challenging adult entertainment ordinances as unconstitutional. In a federal lawsuit, Tokyo Valentino said the Gwinnett ordinance violates its constitutional rights to free speech and due process. It also said Gwinnett’s adult licensing and zoning codes were vague.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit reversed a lower court ruling that tried to bar the adult superstore from operating based on zoning disputes. The ruling revived a possible constitutional challenge against the city of Atlanta’s adult entertainment ordinance.
Current Status Across Georgia Locations
Tokyo Valentino has closed its Marietta location on Cobb Parkway. The business lists itself as “temporarily closed” on Google, though the closure appears permanent.
A response from the owner reads “we were illegally closed by the city” and “we have filed a lawsuit in federal court that is waiting to be heard”. Morrison maintains the closures violate First Amendment protections.
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What You Must Know
First Amendment Protection Standards
Adult entertainment businesses receive some First Amendment protection as expressive commerce, but courts allow greater government regulation than traditional speech. Municipalities can impose time, place, and manner restrictions through zoning ordinances if they serve substantial government interests and leave alternative channels for expression.
Bait-and-Switch Licensing Tactics
Judge Poole agreed with Marietta that Tokyo Valentino employed a “bait and switch” tactic to obtain the license. This means misrepresenting the business type of applications, then operating differently once licensed. Courts view this as fraudulent procurement invalidating the license.
What to Do Next
Access Court Documents
Monitor multiple jurisdictions through PACER for federal cases and county superior court websites for state litigation. Tokyo Valentino has pending cases in Fulton, Cobb, Gwinnett, and DeKalb counties, each with different procedural statuses and legal theories.
Understand Adult Entertainment Regulations
Georgia municipalities regulate adult businesses through zoning ordinances, licensing requirements, and distance restrictions from protected zones. The Supreme Court established in City of Renton v. Playtime Theatres (1986) that content-neutral time, place, and manner regulations survive constitutional scrutiny.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Tokyo Valentino lawsuit about?
Tokyo Valentino faces multiple lawsuits across Georgia counties over zoning violations, licensing misrepresentations, and adult entertainment ordinance compliance. Owner Michael Morrison challenges these restrictions as unconstitutional violations of free speech.
Who are the defendants?
Morrison’s federal lawsuits name multiple Georgia municipalities including Atlanta, Marietta, Cobb County, Gwinnett County, and their officials as defendants for allegedly violating constitutional rights through adult business regulations.
What legal claims are involved?
Claims include First Amendment free speech violations, due process violations, vague ordinance challenges, and procedural improprieties in license revocations. Morrison also appeals administrative decisions in state courts.
What is the current status in February 2026?
The Marietta location has permanently closed following the December 2023 injunction. DeKalb County revoked building permits in October 2025. Federal appeals continue in the Eleventh Circuit while state court cases proceed.
What happened in October 2025?
DeKalb County revoked the building permit for Tokyo Valentino’s planned Greater Decatur location on October 9, 2025, preventing the business from opening at 1850 Lawrenceville Highway.
What relief is Morrison seeking?
Morrison seeks declaratory judgments that adult entertainment ordinances are unconstitutional, injunctions preventing enforcement, attorney’s fees totaling approximately $250,000, and permission to operate without restrictive licensing requirements.
Last Updated: February 2, 2026
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
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About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
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