Lexington County, SC Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)
Key Facts
- Adult bookstores
- Prohibited outright, unincorporated county
- On conviction
- Business must close immediately
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor under general penalty § 1-8
- Other SOBs
- Need Zoning Permit under Article 10
- Massage parlors
- Same ban under § 18-61
Summary
Lexington County Code Section 18-31 outright prohibits establishing or operating an adult bookstore anywhere in the unincorporated county. A conviction forces the business to close immediately, violation is a misdemeanor punishable under the general penalty section, and separately, Zoning Ordinance Article 10 requires a Sexually Oriented Business Zoning Permit for other types of sexually oriented businesses the county does allow.
Sec. 18-31. - Prohibited. (a)The establishment and operation of what is commonly known as adult bookstores is hereby prohibited anywhere in the unincorporated areas of the county.(b)Upon conviction of any person, the adult bookstore being established or operated by such person shall immediately cease operation.(c)Any person who violates any provision of this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction, be punishable in the manner provided in section 1-8.(d)The remedies and penalties provided in this section are not exclusive and are in addition and cumulative to any other remedies and penalties that are available under the common or statutory laws of this state or ordinances of the county.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 20).
Full Breakdown
Section 18-31, Article II of Chapter 18 (Businesses), is a flat ban rather than a licensing scheme: subsection (a) prohibits the establishment and operation of what is commonly known as an adult bookstore anywhere in the unincorporated areas of the county. Subsection (b) forces an immediate shutdown upon conviction of the person establishing or operating it. C. Code Section 22-3-550, and treats each day the violation continues as a separate offense. Subsection (d) makes clear the remedies aren't exclusive: the county can pursue any other remedy or penalty available under state common or statutory law on top of the criminal misdemeanor charge.
The identical ban-and-shutdown structure appears next door in Section 18-61 for massage parlors, showing the county treats these two categories the same way. 60, and are subject to Sheriff's Department and Community Development Department inspection at any time the business is open. That zoning permit regime governs sexually oriented businesses the county allows to operate; adult bookstores specifically are not among them and remain prohibited under Section 18-31 regardless of any zoning permit.
Violations & Fines
Operating or establishing an adult bookstore is a misdemeanor under Section 18-31(c), punishable as provided in Section 1-8's general penalty, which ties to the maximum fine and jail term within the magistrate's court's jurisdiction, with each day of continued operation a separate offense. A conviction requires the business to cease operation immediately under Section 18-31(b), and the county can also pursue any other remedy available under state law under Section 18-31(d).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I legally open an adult bookstore in Lexington County?
Does Lexington County allow any sexually oriented businesses?
What's the penalty for operating an illegal adult bookstore in Lexington County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lexington County
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