Eagle Mountain, UT Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)

Chapter 5.20 EMMC classifies sexually oriented businesses as adult arcades, adult bookstores, novelty or video stores, adult cabarets, adult motion picture theaters, adult theaters, and escort agencies under EMMC 5.20.030. Both the business and each of its employees need separate licenses under EMMC 5.20.040: operating without a valid license, employing an unlicensed worker, or working without an employee license are each unlawful. Applications require extensive disclosures, including criminal history and ownership details, and the city completes its investigation within 30 days under EMMC 5.20.050(B). Beyond those qualification standards, EMMC 5.20.050(O) sets a hard distance rule: a sexually oriented business may not be established within 2,500 feet of any public or private school, church, public library, public playground, school playground, or park, measured along the shortest pedestrian or vehicular route to the property boundary of that facility.

Zoning is enforced separately: EMMC 5.20.120 makes it a Class C misdemeanor to operate in a zoning district that does not specifically permit the use. Licensing costs run steep, with a nonrefundable $3,000 application and investigation fee plus a $1,500 annual license fee for the business under EMMC 5.20.060(A) and (B), and a $300.00 annual fee for each employee license under EMMC 5.20.060(C). Hours are restricted too: EMMC 5.20.170 closes these businesses between 1:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. Licenses renew annually, are subject to inspection by police, health, fire and license officials at any time the business is open, and can be suspended immediately if an owner or manager is arrested for specified criminal activity under EMMC 5.20.050(J).