Gretna, LA Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- Gretna Code §§ 12-129 to 12-141
- Annual permit fee
- $1,000.00, due by July 1
- Minimum applicant age
- 21 years
- State residency required
- 2 continuous years
- First-offense fine (§ 12-139)
- $25,000.00
Summary
Gretna requires a police-issued permit before operating an escort agency, nude model studio or sexual encounter center, with fingerprinting, character and residency qualifications, a $1,000 annual fee, and criminal penalties for operating without one.
In order to obtain a permit from the city to operate a sexually oriented business, the operator must obtain a permit in the following manner: Before engaging in a sexually oriented business, the operator shall obtain from the city a current permit from the city police department to conduct such business. No such permit shall be issued to any applicant prior to production by the applicant of documentation of compliance to occupy in accordance with the requirements set forth in this Code and payment of all current applicable taxes and fees. ... The annual fee for a sexually oriented business permit shall be $1,000.00, which shall be paid in full on or before July 1 of each year.
Full Breakdown
Gretna Code of Ordinances Chapter 12, Article III, Division 2 (§§ 12-129 to 12-141) regulates "sexually oriented businesses," a term the city limits to three classifications listed in § 12-130: escort agencies, nude model studios and sexual encounter centers. Section 12-131 requires the operator to obtain "from the city a current permit from the city police department" before engaging in the business, and treats every day of unpermitted operation as a separate violation. Applicants file with the chief of police and must list all employees; the applicant, and any partner, officer, director, or stockholder owning more than five percent, must be fingerprinted under § 12-134 and must meet the qualifications in § 12-135, including being at least 21 years old, a state resident for two continuous years, and free of felony convictions or prior convictions for prostitution-related offenses, illegal massage practices, or violation of a sexually oriented business ordinance.
00, due in full by July 1 each year, with permits running from July 1 through the following June 30. Section 12-132 lets the city inspect any sexually oriented business at any time to confirm it is operating as licensed. Permit denial or revocation can be appealed to the city council under § 12-136, with a further devolutive appeal to the district court under § 12-140(7). Employees also need their own sexually oriented business card under § 12-141, referenced in the § 12-133 penalty clause.
Violations & Fines
Operating without a current, unsuspended permit, or employing someone without a required sexually oriented business card, is a separate violation for each day it continues (§ 12-133), punishable by a fine of up to $500.00 or up to 60 days' imprisonment, or both. Section 12-139 lists additional grounds for suspension or revocation, including admitting minors, allowing unlicensed alcohol, prostitution solicitation, or public nudity beyond the stage-distance rule, and sets an escalating fine schedule of $25,000.00 for a first offense and $500.00 for a second offense within two years, with a third offense within two years resulting in permit revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Gretna
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