Howell, NJ Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)
Key Facts
- Approval required
- Conditional use permit from the Planning Board
- Distance to schools, parks, churches, public buildings
- 1,000 feet minimum
- Distance to another such business or tattoo shop
- 3,000 feet minimum
- Distance to residential, neighborhood commercial, mixed-use zoning
- 2,000 feet minimum
- Building type
- Freestanding commercial building only
- Maximum fine under Chapter 188
- $1,500 or 90 days in jail, or both
Summary
In Howell Township, New Jersey, a sexually oriented business needs a conditional use permit from the Planning Board and must sit at least 1,000 feet from schools, hospitals, churches, libraries, parks, playgrounds and public buildings, 3,000 feet from similar businesses, and 2,000 feet from residential, neighborhood commercial or mixed-use zoning.
The following general conditions are applicable to sexually oriented businesses as defined in § 188-4, where they are not prohibited. This use may only be permitted upon receipt of a conditional use permit from the Planning Board and any other applicable requirements of this chapter or the Planning Board. A. No establishment shall be located closer than 1,000 feet to any school, hospital, church, library, park, playground or public building. B. No establishment shall be located closer than 3,000 feet to any other sexually oriented business, tattoo, body piercing or branding establishment. C. No establishment shall be located closer than 2,000 feet to an area zoned residential, neighborhood commercial, or mixed-use development. ... E. An establishment shall only be located in a freestanding commercial building. F. In addition to district-specific sign regulations, the use of neon signs on sexually oriented business establishments, in window displays, or use in any other manner is prohibited.
Full Breakdown
Howell Township Code § 188-62, added 5-15-2007 by Ord. No. O-07-19 and amended 5-10-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-10, sets the conditions for sexually oriented businesses in Howell Township, Monmouth County, in the places where the use is not prohibited. Under § 188-4, the term collectively covers an adult cabaret, adult media store, adult motion-picture theatre, video arcade and sex shop. The use is allowed only upon a conditional use permit from the Planning Board, plus any other requirement of Chapter 188 or the Planning Board.
Spacing is the core of the rule. An establishment cannot be located closer than 1,000 feet to any school, hospital, church, library, park, playground or public building. It cannot be located closer than 3,000 feet to any other sexually oriented business, or to a tattoo, body piercing or branding establishment. It cannot be located closer than 2,000 feet to an area zoned residential, neighborhood commercial, or mixed-use development.
Building and sign conditions follow. When an existing building is converted from any use to one of these establishments, a full and complete site plan must be submitted and reviewed under Chapter 188. The establishment is only allowed in a freestanding commercial building. On top of the district-specific sign regulations, neon signs are prohibited on the establishment, in window displays, and in any other manner.
Section 188-169 names the enforcing officials: the Land Use Officer, the Construction Official, the Zoning Inspector or the Code Enforcement Officer of the Township of Howell.
Violations & Fines
Under § 188-171B, every person, firm or corporation that violates a provision of Chapter 188 faces a fine of not more than $1,500 or imprisonment in the county jail or other municipal facility for not more than 90 days, or both, at the court's discretion. Each day the violation continues is a separate and specific violation. Section 188-170 also lets the Township or an interested party sue to restrain or abate an unlawful use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who approves a sexually oriented business in Howell Township?
How far must a sexually oriented business be from a school or park in Howell Township?
Can a sexually oriented business in Howell Township use neon signs?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Howell
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