Albany, NY Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing code
- USDO Chapter 375
- Separation buffer
- 1,000 feet from sensitive uses
- Use-specific standard
- § 375-303(4)(e)(i)
- Permitted Use Table
- Table 375.302.1, footnote 10
- Administered by
- Chief Planning Official
Summary
Adult entertainment is a permitted use under Albany's Unified Sustainable Development Ordinance, but only in the limited zoning districts marked in the Permitted Use Table, and only where the establishment sits at least 1,000 feet from any religious institution, school, residential zoning district, or park or playground.
This use shall be located at least 1,000 feet from a religious institution, a school, a residential zoning district or a park, playground. [11]This use shall not be located within 1,000 feet of an existing convenience retail use. [12]A conditional use permit is required to increase the number of dwelling units within an existing building. See § 375-303(8).
§ 375-303. Use-specific standards. [Amended 4-4-2022 by Ord. No. 5.22.22; 11-25-2023 by Ord. No. 29.71.23; 8-5-2024 by Ord. No. 10.42.24; 8-5-2024 by Ord. No. 3.21.24; 3-17-2025 by Ord. No. 65.111.24; 9-4-2025 by Ord. No. 68.121.24; 11-3-2025 by Ord. No. 3.41.25; 12-15-2025 by Ord. No. 61.111.25]
(1) General.
(a) All uses shall comply with City ordinances regulating noise, odors, vibration, glare, heat, and other nuisance-generating conditions negatively affecting other properties, as well as the requirements of § 375-410 (Operating and maintenance) unless specifically exempted from one or more of those requirements.
(b) In addition to any other applicable regulations, the following use-specific standards shall apply where the particular section is referenced in the rightmost column of Table 375.302.1 (Permitted Use Table).
(2) Residential uses.
(a) Household living.
(i) Dwelling, single-unit detached. (Reserved)
(ii) Dwelling, two-unit detached. (Reserved)
(iii) Dwelling, three-unit detached. (Reserved)
(iv) Dwelling, townhouse. (Reserved)
(v) Dwelling, live-work.
A.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4873446; v61 updated 2026-03-18; through 03-18-2026).
Full Breakdown
The Code of the City of Albany's USDO (Chapter 375) lists adult entertainment in Table 375.302.1, the Permitted Use Table, with a "P" in only a narrow set of districts and use-specific standards at § 375-303(4)(e)(i). Footnote 10 to that table imposes the locational buffer: the use must be at least 1,000 feet from a religious institution, a school, a residential zoning district, or a park or playground. Adult retail is confined the same way. The Chief Planning Official administers the table, and any use requiring a New York State or municipal license must hold it before operating.
Violations & Fines
Opening an adult-use business outside a permitted district, or within 1,000 feet of a school, religious institution, residential district, or park, violates the USDO and blocks the required permit, exposing the operator to zoning enforcement by the Planning Department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can adult entertainment businesses open in Albany?
How far must an Albany adult business be from a school?
Sources & Official References
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Adult Entertainment in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Albany County handle adult entertainment.