Framingham, MA Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)

Framingham City Code § 435-19 creates the Adult Uses Overlay District under MGL c. 40A, § 9A, stating the city's compelling interest in preventing the clustering and concentration of adult entertainment enterprises because of their deleterious effect on adjacent property values and character. An area can only be placed in the overlay by a two-thirds vote of the City Council, and it layers on top of, rather than replaces, the underlying zoning district. Within the overlay, an adult bookstore, adult video store, adult paraphernalia store, adult motion-picture theater, or adult live entertainment establishment needs a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA); all other uses permitted in the underlying district remain permitted as-is.

The ZBA cannot grant that special permit unless locational conditions are met: no such use may sit less than 1,000 feet, measured from all property lines, from a residential zoning district, school, library, church or other religious use, child care facility, park, playground, or area where minors regularly travel or congregate, or from another adult use of the same kind. Display conditions bar any erotic, prurient, or sexually explicit signs, pictures, or merchandise from being visible in windows, on the building, or from public sidewalks.

No special permit may be issued to anyone convicted of violating MGL c. 119, § 63 or MGL c. 272, § 28. A special permit granted under § 435-19 lapses if the location of the use changes, if the business or license is sold, transferred, or assigned, or if ownership or management of the applicant changes, and it also lapses automatically within two years of grant if substantial use has not begun (absent good cause).