Cabarrus County, NC Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)

Section 8-4, Item 1 (Adult Business) of the Development Ordinance classifies adult businesses as a Special Use, meaning they are not permitted by right and must go through the Special Use review process before the Planning and Zoning Commission, sitting as the Board of Adjustment, described in Chapter 8. An applicant's site plan must show all surrounding land uses within 500 feet of the proposed site's boundary lines so reviewers can confirm the spacing standard. Every window, door, opening or entry on the establishment must be located, covered, screened or otherwise treated so that no one outside can see into the interior.

The core siting standard bars any adult use within 3,000 feet of the proposed property boundary from four categories of land: any residentially zoned or used land, religious institutions, schools, parks, playgrounds, libraries or other areas where minors regularly congregate, and any other adult business. Because it is reviewed as a Special Use, the applicant must also satisfy Chapter 8's general special-use standards: maintaining public health, safety and welfare, protecting the value of contiguous property, and demonstrating adequate wastewater disposal, water and sewer service, police/fire/EMS protection, school capacity where relevant, and transportation capacity.

The Commission may attach additional reasonable conditions, including dedicating rights-of-way or providing recreational space, if it finds the specific site warrants extra safeguards beyond the listed standards.