Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Elk Grove, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Licensing authority
Chief of Police, EGMC Ch. 4.31
Distance from other AOBs
1,000 feet minimum
Distance from homes/schools/parks/churches
1,000 feet minimum
Allowed zones
Light Industrial (LI) and Heavy Industrial (HI) only
Operating hours
10:00 a.m. to midnight
Repeat violation
2nd conviction in 1 year = misdemeanor

Summary

Elk Grove requires a special business license plus an individual employee permit for every adult-oriented business, and its zoning code keeps them at least 1,000 feet from homes, schools, parks, and churches, and confined to light and heavy industrial zones only.

It is a violation of this chapter for any person to engage in, conduct, or carry on, or permit to be engaged in, conducted, or carried on, in or upon any premises in the City, the operation of an adult-oriented business unless the person first obtains and continues to maintain in full force and effect a valid adult-oriented special business license issued by the Chief of Police pursuant to this chapter. ... Adult-oriented businesses are permitted subject to compliance with all of the following conditions: A. Such use is situated more than one thousand (1,000' 0") feet from any other adult-oriented business, whether in the City, in an adjoining city, or within an unincorporated area. ... C. Such use is situated in either an LI or HI land use zone.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4937385; v2 updated 2026-05-13; through 05-13-2026).

Full Breakdown

010), without a valid adult-oriented special business license from the Chief of Police, and every performer or employee must separately hold an employee permit. 475). 040 permits adult-oriented businesses only if the use sits more than 1,000 feet from any other adult-oriented business, from land zoned or used for single-family, duplex, or multifamily residences, from schools and day care facilities, from public parks and recreation areas, and from churches or other regular places of worship; the use must also be sited in a Light Industrial (LI) or Heavy Industrial (HI) zone, and no more than one classification of adult-oriented business may occupy a structure unless separated by more than 1,000 feet. 450). 510).

Violations & Fines

Operating without the special business license or an employee permit, allowing a minor on the premises, failing to post required notices, or violating the 1,000-foot distance or LI/HI zoning limits under § 23.70.040 is a violation of Chapter 4.31. A first offense is an infraction fined to the state maximum; a second conviction for the same provision within one year can be charged as a misdemeanor punishable by fine or imprisonment to the state maximum, and the City Attorney may also seek civil injunctive relief and administrative penalties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can an adult-oriented business locate in Elk Grove?
Only in Light Industrial or Heavy Industrial zones, and more than 1,000 feet from any other adult-oriented business, residential land, school, park, or church, per EGMC § 23.70.040.
Do employees of adult-oriented businesses need their own permit?
Yes. EGMC § 4.31.005 separately requires anyone working at or performing for an adult-oriented business to hold a valid adult-oriented business employee permit issued by the Chief of Police.
What hours can an adult-oriented business operate in Elk Grove?
EGMC § 4.31.425 limits operation to between 10:00 a.m. and midnight; the business cannot open outside that window on any day.
Are sexual encounter centers allowed in Elk Grove?
No. EGMC § 4.31.475 states a sexual encounter center is not a permitted use anywhere in the city, regardless of zoning or licensing.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Elk Grove

All Elk Grove rules

California rules heatmap·Compare Elk Grove to another location·View the California business licensing & operations overview

Get notified when Adult Entertainment in Elk Grove, CA changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.

Adult Entertainment in Nearby Cities

How other cities in Sacramento County handle adult entertainment.

Sacramento, CA
Significant Restrictions
Folsom, CA
Significant Restrictions
Rancho Cordova, CA
Significant Restrictions