Los Angeles County, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)
Key Facts
- Maximum fine
- $1,000 per violation
- Maximum jail term
- 6 months
- Mandatory revocation trigger
- Conviction of enumerated sexual-crime offenses relating to premises
Summary
Adult businesses in unincorporated LA County must maintain a license under Chapter 7.92; the Business License Commission must revoke a license for felony convictions, employee misconduct on premises, or sustained operational violations, and any violation is a criminal misdemeanor.
The business license commission shall revoke an adult business license when:1.Any of the applicable requirements set forth herein ceases to be satisfied; or2.The application is discovered to contain incorrect, false or misleading information; or3.The licensee is convicted of a felony or misdemeanor occurring upon, or relating to the premises or lot upon which the business is located, which offense is classified by the state as an offense involving a sexual crime against children, sexual abuse, rape, distribution of obscene material or material harmful to minors, prostitution or pandering, including, but not necessarily limited to the violation of any crime requiring registration under California Penal Code Section 290...
[§ 7.92.150] In addition to any other penalties and remedies provided by law, including the provisions of this title, any violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 or six months in jail, or both. Any person who violates the provisions of this chapter is subject to a suit for injunction as well as prosecution for the criminal violation.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 7.92 (Ord. 2003-0067) governs adult business establishments in unincorporated LA County. Section 7.92.120 requires the business to permit unscheduled inspections during business hours and mandates license revocation when: any applicable requirements cease to be met; the application contained false information; the licensee is convicted of specified sexual-crime offenses; within 12 months two or more employee convictions for such offenses occur on-premises; or the business has sustained operational violations after written notice. Section 7.92.150 provides that any violation of the chapter is a misdemeanor carrying up to a $1,000 fine or 6 months in jail. Nonconforming adult businesses established before 2004 had until April 1, 2004 to comply or close.
Violations & Fines
Any violation is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $1,000 or 6 months in jail, or both. Violators are also subject to injunctive relief. License revocation is mandatory upon conviction of enumerated sexual offenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can inspectors enter an adult business without prior notice?
What happens if an employee commits a sexual offense on the premises?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles County
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