Appleton, WI Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)

Appleton's zoning code (Article XII, Chapter 23) treats a sexually-oriented establishment as a special use rather than a permitted use, confined to the C-2 General Commercial, M-1 Industrial Park and M-2 General Industrial Districts under Sec. 23-391(a). The 500-foot buffer applies separately to residential zoning, schools, churches, clubs, parks, playgrounds, nonprofit recreation facilities, child day care centers, hotels/motels, and any establishment licensed to sell fermented malt beverages or intoxicating liquor; a 1,000-foot buffer applies between two sexually-oriented establishments. Distances are measured in a straight line from the nearest lot line, ignoring intervening buildings, per Sec.

23-391(b). Businesses offering private viewing booths must build them to strict specifications under Sec. 23-391(a)(6): open on one side to a lighted public aisle, no locking doors, light-colored non-absorbent walls at least six feet high, and a minimum of ten foot-candles of light at floor level, with only one occupant allowed per booth. Operators must keep an employee register (name, address, age, physical description, employment dates) available to the Police and Health Departments for one year after an employee leaves, per Sec. 23-391(a)(9). A Special Use Permit application goes to the Community Development Department under Sec.

23-393 and requires a site plan, signatures from anyone owning a 10% or greater interest in the business, and the permit fee; the Health Department, Fire Department and Inspections Supervisor must inspect the premises first under Sec. 23-392(a)(1). Permits cannot be transferred or moved to another address (Sec. 23-392(a)(7)).