Albuquerque licenses adult entertainment venues separately from general business registration, restricting locations near schools, parks, churches, and residential zones, and imposing operational limits on hours, signage, and on-premises conduct.
Adult entertainment establishments in Albuquerque must obtain a specialized license through the Planning Department in addition to a standard business registration. The Integrated Development Ordinance restricts these uses to limited commercial and industrial zone districts and prohibits siting within set buffer distances of schools, daycare centers, parks, places of worship, and residential properties. Operators must conduct background checks on entertainers, restrict access to persons under 21, and comply with state liquor rules where alcohol is served. Licenses must be renewed annually and may be suspended or revoked for repeated code, nuisance, or criminal violations on the premises.
Operating without a current adult entertainment license, siting a venue inside a buffer zone, or admitting underage patrons can trigger fines, license suspension, padlocking, and criminal misdemeanor charges.
Albuquerque, NM
Massage businesses in Albuquerque must register with the city, employ only therapists licensed by the New Mexico Massage Therapy Board, and operate within co...
Albuquerque, NM
New Mexico's Dee Johnson Clean Indoor Air Act bans smoking in workplaces, restaurants, and bars, and Albuquerque extends restrictions to city parks, sports f...
See how Albuquerque's adult entertainment rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.