Indio, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)
Key Facts
- Zone allowed
- IP (Industrial Park) only
- Spacing from schools/parks
- 1,000 feet minimum
- Spacing from other SOBs
- 500 feet minimum
- Spacing from liquor sales
- 250 feet minimum
- Permit required
- Yes, city-issued, non-transferable
Summary
Indio confines sexually oriented businesses to the IP (Industrial Park) zone and requires them to clear 500- to 1,000-foot buffers from schools, parks, churches, liquor sellers, and residential zones under § 120.17, plus a city permit under § 120.03.
No person shall cause or permit the establishment of any sexually oriented business within: (1) 500 feet of another sexually oriented business; or (2) 1,000 feet of any religious institution, school, boys club, girls club, or similar existing youth organization, or public park or public building; or (3) 250 feet of any business involving an on-premises sale of liquor or alcoholic beverages; or (4) 1,000 feet of any property zoned for residential use or used for residential purposes; or (5) 250 feet of any zone other than the IP (Industrial Park) zone.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4796010; v13 updated 2026-02-04; through 02-04-2026).
Full Breakdown
Municipal Code Chapter 120 requires a city-issued sexually oriented business permit before any adult bookstore, cabaret, theater, escort agency, massage parlor, or similar use can operate, per § 120.03(A). Beyond the permit, § 120.17 zones these businesses out of everywhere except the IP (Industrial Park) district and imposes distance buffers: 500 feet from another sexually oriented business, 1,000 feet from schools, youth organizations, parks or public buildings, 250 feet from any business selling liquor, 1,000 feet from residential zones, and 250 feet from any non-IP zone. Distances are measured in a straight line between property lines under § 120.18.
Violations & Fines
Operating without the § 120.03 permit, or at a location that fails the § 120.17 spacing/zoning rules, is a misdemeanor under § 120.21 and grounds for permit denial or revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can a sexually oriented business legally locate in Indio?
Is a permit required on top of the zoning rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Indio
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How other cities in Riverside County handle adult entertainment.