San Bernardino County, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)
Key Facts
- Permitted zones
- General Commercial (CG), Community Industrial (IC)
- Buffer from homes/schools/parks/churches
- 500 feet
- Buffer from Rural Living/IC residences
- 250 feet
- Separation from other adult businesses
- 1,000 feet
- Permit required
- Adult Business Regulatory Permit
Summary
San Bernardino County confines adult businesses to General Commercial or Community Industrial zones, requires an Adult Business Regulatory Permit, and imposes 500-foot buffers from homes, schools, parks and churches plus 1,000 feet between adult businesses.
Adult businesses shall only be established in the General Commercial (CG) or Community Industrial (IC) land use zoning districts... An adult business shall not be established or located within: (1) Five hundred feet of the following: (A) Any County or city land use zoning district that contains the words "Residence" or "Residential" within its title... An adult business shall not be established or located within 1,000 feet of an existing adult business.
Full Breakdown
Under County Code § 84.02.030, adult businesses may locate only in the General Commercial (CG) or Community Industrial (IC) zoning districts. Even there, they must sit at least 500 feet from any residential zoning district, place of worship, school or park, and 250 feet from residential uses within Rural Living or IC districts. No adult business may open within 1,000 feet of an existing one; distances run straight-line, parcel line to parcel line. Operators must also hold an Adult Business Regulatory Permit from the Land Use Services Department under Chapter 85.21 before opening.
Violations & Fines
Violations bring civil remedies including permit revocation, plus nuisance abatement or injunction; each day of violation counts separately. The County treats this as a licensing scheme, not a criminal offense, for sexual-conduct-related violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can an adult business open in San Bernardino County?
How far must adult businesses be from each other?
Is a special permit required beyond zoning?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Bernardino County to another location·View the California business licensing & operations overview
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