Bellevue, WA Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)

08 BCC requires anyone conducting, managing, or operating an adult cabaret to hold a valid city license, and separately licenses every entertainer and manager who works there; it is unlawful for an unlicensed entertainer or manager to perform or work at all. Applicants must be at least 21 (18 for cabarets that serve no liquor), submit fingerprints and photographs, disclose five years of criminal convictions and three years of employment history, and pay a nonrefundable application fee. The police, fire, and development services departments each inspect the application and premises within 30 days, and a license must issue within 30 days of a complete application unless the applicant fails to meet the chapter's requirements.

050: $400 for a standard cabaret, $700 for an adult cabaret, and $100 each for adult cabaret managers and entertainers. Managers and entertainers must carry their license on the premises for inspection during business hours. Licenses run one year and are not assignable; adult cabaret renewal applications are due 30 days before expiration, and late renewal draws a surcharge of 25 percent of the fee for 7 to 30 days late, 50 percent for 31 to 60 days, and 75 percent for 61 or more days late.

070 sets conduct standards for adult cabarets, barring exposed genitals or breasts below the areola except on a stage at least 18 inches high and 8 feet from the nearest patron, and barring mingling employees from that same exposure.