Florence County, SC Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Florence County Code Sec. 30-105
- Spacing rule
- 1,000 ft from homes, churches, schools, parks, day cares
- Highway buffer
- 1,000 ft from 10 named US/SC highways and I-95
- License
- Annual, issued by county planning department
- Penalty
- Operating unlicensed is a misdemeanor
- Suspension
- Up to 30 days for violations or refused inspection
Summary
Unincorporated Florence County requires a county license to operate a sexually oriented business and bars siting one within 1,000 feet of homes, churches, schools, parks, day cares, another such business, or ten named highways, under Code Section 30-105.
No such use shall be located within 1,000 feet (measured in a straight line and documented on a map drawn to scale) of:
(1)A residence or a residential zone;(2)A church or religious institution;(3)Public or private schools and educational facilities;(4)Public parks and recreational facilities;(5)U.S. Highways 378, 76, 301, 52, and S.C. Highways 341, 403, 327, 51, 41, 403, and Interstate 95;(6)Another sexually oriented business; or(7)Day care facilities. ... (b)License required. It shall be a misdemeanor for a person to operate a sexually oriented business without a valid permit and/or license, issued by the responsible governing authority for the particular type of business.
Full Breakdown
Section 30-105 layers a spacing rule on top of a licensing regime for sexually oriented businesses. S. C. 341, 403, 327, 51 and 41, and Interstate 95. Operating without a valid permit or license issued by the county planning department is itself a misdemeanor, and an application requires the premises to pass inspection by health, fire, and building officials. The license expires at the end of each calendar year and must be renewed by reapplication, with the annual fee set on the county's fee schedule.
Operators must allow the zoning administrator, police, health, or fire officials to inspect the premises any time it is open, and refusing a lawful inspection is itself a separate misdemeanor. The zoning administrator can suspend a license for up to 30 days for a code violation or a refused inspection, and must revoke it if a suspension cause recurs within 12 months, or if the operator falsified application information, knowingly allowed drug possession, sale or prostitution on site, operated while suspended, allowed specified sexual conduct on the premises, or is delinquent on taxes or fees owed to the city, county, or state.
Violations & Fines
Operating a sexually oriented business without a valid permit or license, or refusing a lawful inspection, is a misdemeanor under Section 30-105(b) and (e)(2). The zoning administrator may suspend a license up to 30 days for a violation and must revoke it for a repeat violation within 12 months or for the specific misconduct grounds listed in Section 30-105(g), including falsified applications, drug activity, or prostitution on the premises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to open an adult business in unincorporated Florence County?
How far must an adult business be from a school or church?
Can the county revoke my license?
Does the license expire?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Florence County
Compare Florence County to another location·View the South Carolina business licensing & operations overview
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