Floyd County, GA Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)
Key Facts
- License required
- Business and employee licenses, Section 2-12-34
- Buffer distance
- 1,000 feet from schools, churches, parks, homes
- Initial license fee
- $100.00 business, $50.00 employee
- Hours cap
- Closed midnight to 6:00 a.m.
- Nonconforming grace period
- 2 years to relocate or recoup investment
- Max criminal penalty
- $1,000.00 fine, 6 months jail per violation
Summary
Operating a sexually oriented business in unincorporated Floyd County requires a county license, and the business must sit at least 1,000 feet from another sexually oriented business, an alcohol-licensed premises, a church, a school, a public park, or most residential zoning districts.
(a)Business license. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a sexually oriented business in the county without a valid sexually oriented business license. ... (a)It shall be unlawful to establish, operate, or cause to be operated a sexually oriented business in Floyd County, unless said sexually oriented business is at least:(1)One thousand (1,000) feet from any parcel occupied by another sexually oriented business or by a business licensed by the State of Georgia to sell alcohol at the premises; and(2)One thousand (1,000) feet from any parcel occupied by a church, house of worship, public or private elementary or secondary school, public park, or from any parcel zoned S-R (Suburban Residential), LT-R (Low Density Traditional Residential), HT-R (High Density Traditional Residential), D-R (Duplex Residential), M-R (Multi-family Residential), and A-R (Agricultural-Residential).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 2-12, Article III governs sexually oriented businesses countywide. Section 2-12-34 makes it unlawful to operate such a business, or to work in one as an employee, without a valid license issued by the clerk; applications require the applicant's identity, criminal history for specified activity, and a diagrammed floor plan, and are confidential except by court order. 00 renewal. Section 2-12-51 fixes the locational buffer: 1,000 feet from any parcel with another sexually oriented business or a state alcohol licensee, and 1,000 feet from any church, house of worship, public or private school, public park, or land zoned S-R, LT-R, HT-R, D-R, M-R or A-R residential.
A business that was lawfully operating before the ordinance but now falls short of the buffer gets two years to recoup its investment, extendable only through a hardship-extension hearing under Section 2-12-51(d). m. Section 2-12-48 separately bars nudity, touching by a semi-nude employee, alcohol on the premises, and admitting anyone under 18.
Violations & Fines
Section 2-12-46 makes a knowing violation of Article III punishable by a fine up to $1,000.00 per violation, up to six months in jail, or both, with each day of a continuing violation a separate offense. The county attorney is also authorized to bring a civil injunction to restrain or correct a violation, independent of any criminal case, and the clerk can deny, suspend, or revoke a license for noncompliance with the locational or operating rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a sexually oriented business open anywhere in unincorporated Floyd County?
Do employees need their own license?
What if my business already existed before the buffer rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Floyd County
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