King County licenses adult entertainment establishments under KCC Title 6, requiring background checks, distance buffers from schools and residential zones, and separate manager and entertainer permits, with strict no-touch and lighting standards.
Unincorporated King County regulates adult entertainment under King County Code Title 6 and zoning Title 21A. Operators, managers, and entertainers each need permits issued through the Department of Local Services. Establishments must maintain minimum distances from schools, parks, churches, and residential zones, and meet interior lighting and configuration standards. Health and safety inspections, no-touch performance rules, and detailed recordkeeping are mandatory. Annual renewal, fingerprinting, and disclosure of ownership apply. Cities such as Seattle apply parallel local rules.
Operating without a permit, allowing unlicensed entertainers, prohibited contact, or buffer violations can trigger permit suspension, daily civil penalties, and criminal misdemeanor referral to the prosecutor.
King County, WA
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See how King County's adult entertainment rules stack up against other locations.
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