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Fort Wayne, IN Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)

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

Key Facts

License issuer
Police Chief
Initial business license fee
$100
Employee license fee
$50 initial
License term
1 year, renewable
First violation fine
$2,500

Summary

Fort Wayne requires a Police Chief-issued license before operating a sexually oriented business, plus a separate employee license for every worker; both carry annual fees and can be denied for prior nuisance findings or criminal convictions.

(A) Sexually Oriented Business License. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a sexually oriented business in the city without a valid sexually oriented business license. (B) Employee License. It shall be unlawful for any person to be an “employee,” ... of a sexually oriented business in the city without a valid sexually oriented business employee license.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-60: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. G-19-26, passed 7-14-26, and Res. 83-19, passed 12-17-19 State legislation current through Legislative Service, 2025 Acts, Pamphlet No. 3).

Full Breakdown

Fort Wayne Code of Ordinances § 121.03 makes it unlawful to operate a sexually oriented business, an adult arcade, bookstore, cabaret, motion picture theater, or sexual device shop, without a license from the Police Chief, and unlawful for any employee to work there without a separate employee license. Applicants file in person at the Police Chief's office; the initial business license costs $100 ($50 to renew), the employee license $50 ($25 to renew), per § 121.05. The Chief must also deny a license if the business's location fails separate location requirements found elsewhere in the Code.

Violations & Fines

Operating without a license, or employing an unlicensed worker, is punishable by a $2,500 fine for a first violation and $7,500 for repeat violations, with each continuing day counted separately (§ 121.99).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to open an adult business in Fort Wayne?
Yes, § 121.03 requires a sexually oriented business license from the Police Chief before opening, plus a separate license for each employee.
How much does the license cost?
$100 to open and $50 a year to renew; employees pay $50 initially and $25 to renew, per § 121.05.
What happens if I operate without a license?
A first violation carries a $2,500 fine and a second or subsequent violation $7,500, with continuing violations fined per day under § 121.99.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Fort Wayne

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All Fort Wayne rules

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