Atlanta, GA Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum distance
- 2,000 feet from listed uses
- License endorsement required
- "Adult entertainment permitted" on face
- Enforcement
- Alcohol license revocation
- Grandfather exemption
- 1987-approved zoning locations
Summary
Atlanta bars an alcohol license endorsed for adult entertainment within 2,000 feet of homes, schools, churches, parks, and MARTA stations.
No license under this division shall be issued for any adult entertainment establishment which is within 2,000 feet of any private residence, boys' club, girls' club, public park, MARTA station, church or synagogue or any other place of worship, YMCA, YWCA, youth-oriented organization; day care center, child center, library, school ground or college campus, day labor center or hospital. The license issued to such an establishment shall state on its face "adult entertainment permitted." The performance of any adult entertainment without this express permission shall constitute grounds for revocation of an alcoholic beverage license.(c)Exemptions. The distance requirements in this section shall not apply to locations approved by the bureau of buildings in 1987 for adult entertainment for the purposes of zoning. (Code 1977, § 14-2039.1)
Full Breakdown
Under City Code § 10-89, no alcoholic beverage license may be issued for an adult entertainment establishment within 2,000 feet of a private residence, apartment or condo building with more than four units, park, MARTA station, church or synagogue, YMCA/YWCA, youth organization, day care, library, school, college campus, day labor center, or hospital. A qualifying license must state "adult entertainment permitted" on its face; performing adult entertainment without that endorsement is grounds for revoking the alcohol license outright. Locations approved for adult entertainment zoning in 1987 are exempt from the distance rule.
Violations & Fines
Operating adult entertainment without the endorsement is grounds for revocation of the establishment's alcoholic beverage license by the license review board.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 2,000-foot rule apply to every adult entertainment venue?
What happens if a licensed bar adds adult entertainment without the endorsement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Atlanta
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Adult Entertainment in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Fulton County handle adult entertainment.