Huntington Beach, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)

Section 5.70.020 requires a sex-oriented business permit issued by the Huntington Beach Police Chief before anyone may own, operate, engage in, conduct or carry on a sex-oriented business, on top of the standard City business license. Only the business owner may hold the permit, and it must be posted conspicuously on the premises; holding other state or City licenses does not excuse this requirement. Section 5.70.030 lists the application's required disclosures, including the applicant's prior sex-oriented-business licensing history and any revocations or suspensions in any jurisdiction. Under Section 5.70.035, the Police Chief must issue the permit within 10 business days of a completed application and paid fee, though issuance does not preclude a later revocation under Section 5.70.115.

Every performer needs a separate sex-oriented performer permit under Section 5.70.040, applied for the same way, and must produce proof of that permit to a police officer on demand. Both permit types expire one year after issuance under Section 5.70.070; a renewal application is due at least 30 days before expiration, and a late request does not stay the expiration date. Permits are nontransferable under Section 5.70.080: any sale, transfer, or assignment voids the permit outright, and a corporate permit is voided by any change in officer or director.

Section 5.70.115 lets the Police Chief revoke a business permit for a permit holder's felony or misdemeanor conviction tied to the premises (sexual crimes against children, rape, prostitution, or obscenity among them), for knowingly allowing prostitution or specified sexual conduct on-site, or for a permit denied or revoked elsewhere. A revoked permit holder has 30 days to file a writ of mandate in state court before the City enforces the revocation.