EASTON, Md. (AP)- The Easton Town Council has passed a nine-month moratorium on adult businesses in a step towards banning them entirely.

The council passed two ordinances Tuesday amending the town zoning ordinance to define and ban adult-oriented business and establishing the moratorium.

Town Attorney Sharon Van Emburgh says more changes to zoning could follow, but the two measures are needed now to prevent loopholes.

The legislation was spurred by an inquiry into opening an adult book store on Dover Street. The store was ultimately leased to someone else.

The moratorium is meant to give the council time to contemplate more permanent legislation.

“Not everything is appropriate in every zone. The stores might not be appropriate next to residential areas, they might not be appropriate next daycares, or schools.” said Van Emburgh. “That’s just the purpose of the moratorium, to explore options, where they might be appriopriate and what types of regulations might be needed.”

The measure allows pornographic material to be sold as long as it is less than 20 percent of the store’s stock, floor space and revenue.