Elko County, NV Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)

Chapter 6-11 of the Elko County Code governs sexually oriented businesses and their employees throughout the county, including unincorporated towns. Under § 6-11-4, a sexually oriented business means a nude entertainment business or sexually oriented outcall services. Section 6-11-8 recognizes three license categories: outcall services, nude entertainment businesses and nude dancing agencies. A premises can hold only one category, except that outcall services and a nude dancing agency can share premises.

Location comes first. Section 6-11-5 makes it unlawful for a nude entertainment business to operate anywhere in the county except in areas zoned for adult entertainment businesses. Section 6-11-25 adds a separation rule: no business licensed for nude entertainment can be located within 300 feet of a business licensed for the sale or consumption of alcohol.

Licensing follows. Section 6-11-6 makes it unlawful to operate without a sexually oriented business license, which names the type of business. Section 6-11-9 separately requires every sexually oriented business employee to hold an employee license. The applicant submits a form supplied by the Sheriff, and the business license authority holds a cash bond or irrevocable letter of credit of $2,000 under § 6-11-15, replenished to $2,500 within 15 days of any draw for fines.

Fees under § 6-11-14 are yearly: $1,000 for an outcall business and $500 for a nude dancing agency or nude entertainment business, plus a $250 investigation fee for each applicant who files a separate disclosure application. Employee licenses cost $250 for outcall employees working away from the premises and for nude entertainers personally performing for patrons, and $100 for other licensed employees. These are in addition to other county license fees.

A license is valid from issuance through January 1 of the following year, with fees prorated on a semi-annual basis under § 6-11-17. It is non-transferable under § 6-11-19, and a corporate or partnership licensee that transfers more than 10 percent needs a new application. Changes to application information must be reported in writing within 14 days. A business license applicant who is denied has judicial review under state law, while an employee applicant can appeal to the Board of County Commissioners in writing within 15 days under § 6-11-35.