Kitsap County, WA Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)
Key Facts
- Permitted zones
- RC, UC, HTC only
- Spacing from other adult uses
- 1,000 feet minimum
- Spacing from schools/parks/churches
- 1,000 feet minimum
- License fee
- $750 base (1999), inflation-adjusted
- License term
- One year, county auditor
- Penalty
- Up to $250 fine / 90 days jail per day
Summary
Adult entertainment businesses in unincorporated Kitsap County may locate only in regional commercial, urban commercial, or highway/tourist commercial zones, at least 1,000 feet from any other adult entertainment use, residential zone, school, church, park, or licensed day care, and must hold an annual county license.
In addition to complying with the other sections of the Zoning Ordinance, adult entertainment uses shall only be permitted in the regional commercial (RC), urban commercial (UC) and highway/tourist commercial (HTC) zones within the county and shall not be permitted: (a) Within one thousand feet of any other existing adult entertainment use; and/or (b) Within one thousand feet of any rural or residential zone, or any of the following residentially related uses:
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4864424; v0 updated 2025-12-08; through 12-08-2025).
Full Breakdown
030. Within those zones, a use still cannot open within 1,000 feet of any other existing adult entertainment use, or within 1,000 feet of any rural or residential zone, a church or similar religious facility, a K-12 school and its play areas, a public playground, pool, park or library, a licensed day care serving more than twelve children, or any other public facility principally serving minors; spacing is measured from property lines and zoning-district boundaries. 060. The application discloses the owners and any convictions for specified criminal activity, such as prostitution, obscenity, or child pornography offenses within the last two to five years, and carries a nonrefundable fee set at a 1999 base of $750, adjusted for inflation each January 1st.
The auditor circulates the application to the sheriff, community development department, health district and prosecuting attorney, who have twenty days to investigate criminal history, zoning conformity, and building, fire and sewage code compliance before the department issues a one-year license. 070).
Violations & Fines
Operating without a required license, or violating any provision of Chapter 10.52, is a misdemeanor under § 10.52.110: a fine of up to $250 and/or up to 90 days in jail, with each day of a continuing violation treated as a separate offense. The chapter also declares any violation a public nuisance that the prosecuting attorney or any interested person can sue to enjoin, and the department can deny, suspend, or revoke the business license itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can an adult entertainment business locate in Kitsap County?
Does Kitsap County require a special license for adult entertainment?
What is the fee for an adult entertainment business license?
What happens if a licensee is convicted of a disqualifying offense?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kitsap County
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