Hammond, IN Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)
Key Facts
- License fee
- $500 non-refundable, § 128.03(H)
- Issuing authority
- City Controller
- Daily fine
- $2,500 per day, § 128.99
- First suspension
- 30 days for 1 violation/12 months
- Revocation bar
- 1 year reapplication ban
Summary
In the City of Hammond, Indiana, no one may operate an adult entertainment business without a license from the City Controller. Applicants pay a $500 non-refundable fee, and the Police and Fire Departments and the Code Enforcement Officer investigate every application before it can be approved.
(A) No person shall conduct, maintain, operate or cause substantial enlargement or transfer of ownership or control of any adult entertainment business within the city unless licensed hereunder. (B) The City Controller is responsible for granting, denying, revoking, renewing, suspending and canceling licenses under this chapter. ... (H) The applicant shall pay a non-refundable fee of $500 at time of filing an application under this section. ... Any person or entity who violates any part of this chapter shall be subject to: (A) A fine of $2,500 for each day of violation; and (B) Entry of injunctive relief against such person prohibiting future, similar violations.
Full Breakdown
03. The City Controller grants, denies, renews, suspends and revokes these licenses and also checks compliance with zoning rules, while the Code Enforcement Officer inspects the premises. The application must disclose the owner's identity (or, for a corporation, its officers, directors and 10%-plus stockholders), any prior denial, suspension or revocation of a similar license anywhere, and any convictions for specified criminal activity. 03(H). Once filed, the Controller sends copies to the Police Department, Fire Department and Code Enforcement Officer, each of which investigates. on other days. 04, with appeal to the Board of Public Works and Safety within 30 days.
Violations & Fines
Violating any part of Chapter 128, including operating without the required license, carries a fine of $2,500 for each day of violation under § 128.99, plus injunctive relief against the violator to prevent future, similar violations. A license itself can be suspended 30 or 60 days, or revoked outright, for repeat violations investigated by the Police Department, Fire Department or Code Enforcement Officer under § 128.04.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hammond
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