Gastonia, NC Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)

Article II, Division 6 of Chapter 8, adopted in 2003, licenses adult bookstores, adult live entertainment businesses, adult mini motion picture theatres, adult motion picture theatres, and clothing modeling studios under Sec. 8-342's classification list. Sec. 8-343 makes operating any of these without a valid license from the chief of police unlawful, and bars the chief from licensing two or more classifications to operate in the same building or premises. Applications go through the Police Department's Vice and Narcotics Bureau. Sec. 8-344 gives the chief 30 days to approve or deny, with denial required if the applicant is under 18, hasn't paid the application/investigation fee, refused a premises inspection under Sec.

8-346, has overdue license fees, has a suspended or revoked license, or was convicted of a 'sexually oriented crime' within five years (felony) or two years (misdemeanor) of conviction or release. Sec. 8-345 requires an annual license fee set by city council. Sec. 8-346 conditions licensing on the applicant permitting a police inspection of the premises before issuance. Sec. 8-349 lets the chief suspend a license for 30 days if a violation isn't corrected within 20 days of notice, and Sec. 8-350 requires revocation for repeat suspensions within 12 months, false application information, knowingly allowing drug possession, prostitution, indecent conduct, or unlicensed alcohol service, or a sexually oriented crime conviction while licensed, with a one-year re-licensing bar under Sec. 8-350(d).