Whatcom County, WA Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)
Key Facts
- License issuer
- Whatcom County Sheriff
- Application fee
- $500 (3 or fewer owners)
- Additional owner fee
- $50 each
- Minimum dancer age
- 18
- Max penalty
- $1,000 fine / 90 days jail
- License expiration
- December 31 annually
Summary
Whatcom County requires a sheriff-issued license before any erotic dance studio can open, with a $500 application fee, a criminal-history check on owners, and hearing-examiner review of zoning and building-code compliance. Each dancer must also hold a separate sheriff-issued license and be at least 18, under WCC Chapter 9.52.
Application for an erotic dance studio license shall be made to the sheriff. No erotic dance studio shall be operated without such license. ... Applications shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee of $500.00 where there are three or less people who have an interest in the business. There shall be an additional charge of $50.00 for each person above three in order to cover the investigation costs of the Whatcom County sheriff's department.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4963078; v4 updated 2026-06-23; through 06-23-2026).
Full Breakdown
52 of the county code. 00 for each additional owner to cover the sheriff's investigation. Within five days the sheriff forwards the application to the county's building and code administration bureau and to the hearing examiner; within 20 days the sheriff runs criminal-history checks on the owners and the bureau confirms zoning and building-code compliance. The hearing examiner then holds a public hearing, noticed 5 to 10 days out at the applicant's expense, and must deny a license to anyone convicted of a violent crime, a drug or prostitution offense, a felony, or a prior violation of this chapter; an approved license runs through December 31 of the year issued. 210. 140. 00, up to 90 days in jail, or both, and automatically voids the studio's license.
Violations & Fines
Operating an erotic dance studio, or dancing at one, without the required sheriff-issued license violates WCC § 9.52.130, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000.00, up to 90 days in jail, or both, and it automatically voids the studio's license. The hearing examiner can also revoke a license outright on a resident-filed petition signed by at least 100 registered voters if a dancer or owner is convicted of a disqualifying offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues an erotic dance studio license in Whatcom County?
How much does an erotic dance studio license cost?
Can a felony conviction block a license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Whatcom County
Compare Whatcom County to another location·View the Washington business licensing & operations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.