Anaheim, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Sex-oriented business permit plus standard business license
- Residential buffer
- 400 feet from any residential zone or use
- School/park/church buffer
- 1,000 feet from schools, parks, religious institutions
- Clustering cap
- Max two businesses within a 2,500-foot radius
- Hearing timeline
- Public hearing within 45 days of complete application
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor, up to $1,000 fine or 6 months jail
Summary
Anaheim requires anyone operating a sex-oriented business to first obtain a sex-oriented business permit from the Planning Director in addition to a standard business license. The use must sit outside any redevelopment area, at least 400 feet from a residential zone or use, and 1,000 feet from any school, park, or religious institution, with no more than two such businesses within a 2,500-foot radius.
.010 Permit Required. It shall be unlawful for any person or entity to operate, engage in, conduct or carry on any sex-oriented business within the City of Anaheim, unless the owner of said business first obtains, and continues to maintain in full force and effect, both a sex-oriented business permit and a business license from the City of Anaheim for such business. ... .0502 The sex-oriented business shall not be located within four hundred (400) feet of any residential zone or residential use, whether such residential zone or use is within or outside the corporate boundaries of the City of Anaheim. .0503 The sex-oriented business shall not be located within one thousand (1,000) feet of any lot upon which there is located any religious institution, public park, any public or private elementary, secondary, middle, junior high, or high school, whether such use is within or outside the corporate boundaries of the City of Anaheim. .0505 Not more than two (2) sex-oriented businesses shall be located within any circular area having a radius of two thousand five hundred (2,500) feet.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-28: Code: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 6627, passed 8-11-2026 | Zoning: Local legislation current through Ord. 6627, passed 8-11-2026).
Full Breakdown
54 requires a sex-oriented business permit issued by the Planning Director before any sex-oriented business may operate, on top of the city's standard business license. 020, may apply. 020. 050 keep these businesses out of any city redevelopment area and require they sit at least 400 feet from any residential zone or use and 1,000 feet from any religious institution, public park, or school, measured in a straight line from the nearest property lines regardless of intervening buildings. No more than two sex-oriented businesses may sit within a 2,500-foot radius unless they share a common wall, occupy adjoining parcels devoted exclusively to the use, or are at least 1,000 feet apart.
The businesses are also barred south of Crescent Avenue (west of Gilbert Street) or La Palma Avenue (east of Gilbert Street), and east of Jefferson Street. The Planning Director must revoke a permit for false application information, a felony or misdemeanor conviction tied to specified sex crimes or prostitution occurring on the premises, or ongoing violations that continue more than 10 days after written notice.
Violations & Fines
Operating a sex-oriented business without a permit, or violating any Chapter 18.54 standard such as the spacing, signage, lighting or on-duty manager rules, is a misdemeanor under Section 18.54.100, punishable under the Code's general penalty (Section 1.01.370) by up to a $1,000 fine, six months in county jail, or both, with each day of violation charged as a separate offense. The Planning Director can also revoke the permit outright.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Anaheim require a special permit for a sex-oriented business?
How far must a sex-oriented business stay from a school or church in Anaheim?
Can two sex-oriented businesses operate near each other in Anaheim?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anaheim
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