Lake County, IL Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)
Key Facts
- License required
- Adult establishment license, unincorporated area only
- Spacing from other adult uses
- 1,000 feet
- Spacing from protected uses
- 1,000 feet
- Spacing from residential property
- 250 feet
- Fine
- Up to $500 per offense
Summary
Unincorporated Lake County requires an adult establishment license and enforces 1,000-foot spacing from other adult businesses and protected uses, plus 250 feet from residential property.
Adult establishment license required. An adult establishment license shall be required to establish, operate, or maintain an adult entertainment establishment within the unincorporated area of Lake County. ... No adult entertainment establishment shall be established, maintained, or operated on any lot that has a property line within 1,000 feet of the property line of any other lot on which any other adult entertainment establishment is established, maintained, or operated.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-15: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 26-0618, passed 6-9-2026 | State legislation current through ILCS Pamphlet 2025 #5).
Full Breakdown
Operating an adult entertainment establishment in unincorporated Lake County without a license from the Adult Use Commissioner is unlawful under County Code Ch. 113. Separately, the Unified Development Ordinance bars any adult entertainment establishment on a lot within 1,000 feet of another adult entertainment establishment or a protected use (church, school, child care facility, park, cemetery, or public housing), and within 250 feet of residential property, measured property line to property line.
Violations & Fines
Operating without a valid adult establishment license is a violation subject to a fine of up to $500 per offense under § 113.99; the county can also suspend or revoke a license under § 113.51 for chapter violations, and siting in violation of the § 151.112(B) spacing standards blocks zoning approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this license apply inside Waukegan or Gurnee?
What counts as a protected use for spacing purposes?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lake County
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