Cherokee County, GA Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)

Code of Ordinances Chapter 18, Division 8 makes it unlawful to operate, engage in, conduct or carry on an adult entertainment establishment in unincorporated Cherokee County without an annual license from the county zoning administrator (Sec. 18-304). A premises holding an on-premises alcohol pouring license can never hold this license, and the reverse is also barred. Licensing costs an initial $750 investigative fee plus a $50 application fee (Sec. 18-306), then a $750 annual regulatory fee due by November 30 preceding the license year, with a 20 percent late charge and IRS-rate interest on overdue balances; all licenses expire December 31 (Sec.

18-304(b)). Under Sec. 18-307, no such establishment may locate within 750 feet, measured airline ('as the crow flies') from property line to property line, of any residential-zoned parcel, church, school, college campus, public park, cemetery, day care or playground facility, an alcohol-selling premises, or another adult entertainment establishment, and the use is confined to General Commercial, Highway Commercial, Light Industrial or Heavy Industrial zoning. Employees must be at least 18, pass a five-year criminal history check for offenses like prostitution, pandering or child molestation, and individually permit as adult entertainers ($75 investigation fee) before working.

m. m. Monday. The zoning administrator must approve or deny a license application within 30 business days of receipt; failure to act within that window results in automatic approval. Denials, suspensions and revocations go before the Board of Commissioners after 20 days' notice, with further appeal to Cherokee County Superior Court by writ of certiorari within 30 days.