Franklin County, OH Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)
Key Facts
- Buffer from sensitive uses
- 500 feet
- Buffer from other adult use
- 1,000 feet
- Zone allowed
- Community Commercial (CC) only
- License
- Certified township license copy required
Summary
Franklin County allows adult entertainment only in the Community Commercial district, and bars it within 500 feet of a church, school, park, or residence, and within 1,000 feet of another adult-only use.
Adult entertainment - sale of adult books, magazines, videos, and adult performances (including nude dancing) provided the following standards are met... Such uses shall not be permitted within five hundred (500) feet of: Church School Park or playground Residence or residential district. Such uses shall not be permitted within one thousand (1000) feet of another adults-only use.
Full Breakdown
Section 328.02's use list permits adult entertainment -- adult book, magazine, and video sales plus adult performances including nude dancing -- in the Community Commercial district only, subject to zoning compliance approval. The use cannot locate within 500 feet of a church, school, park or playground, or residence or residential district, or within 1,000 feet of another adults-only use. Townships requiring a license under ORC 503.41 must see a certified copy of it.
Violations & Fines
Opening within the 500-foot buffer from a church, school, park, or residence, or the 1,000-foot buffer from another adult use, violates Section 328.02 and blocks zoning compliance approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can an adult entertainment business locate in unincorporated Franklin County?
Can two adult businesses operate near each other?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Franklin County
Compare Franklin County to another location·View the Ohio business licensing & operations overview
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