Aliso Viejo, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)

Section 4.12.030 confines adult businesses to the planning areas identified in Section XXVII of the Aliso Viejo planned community development plan and supplemental text, and then layers distance rules on top. No adult business can be located within 500 feet of any existing residential district or use, park, religious institution or school. The code defines school to include any child or day care facility and any undergraduate or junior level college. No adult business can be within 300 feet of another adult business, whether it sits in Aliso Viejo, an adjoining city or an unincorporated area. When two applications would conflict, the one accepted first in time is processed first and the later one is deemed nonconforming until the city rules on the first.

Measurement is a straight line without regard to city boundaries or intervening structures. For residences, parks, religious institutions and schools the line runs from the primary entrance of the adult business to the nearest property line of the protected use. Between two adult businesses it runs from the closest point of each. Only one adult business is allowed in a building or commercial or industrial center unless more than 300 feet separates them, and no sex supermarket or sex mini-mall is permitted in the city.

Location is only the first gate. Section 4.12.080 requires an adult business permit for each location and an adult entertainer permit for each performer, both separate from any business license. The city manager acts on business permits and the police chief on entertainer permits, with a decision due within 20 business days of a completed application. If neither grants nor denies in that time, the applicant can begin operating, subject to strict compliance (§ 4.12.120). Permits last 12 months, and a renewal application is due at least 20 business days before expiration (§ 4.12.140). Fees are set by city council resolution (§ 4.12.250).