Melbourne, FL Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)

Sec. 4-31(a) makes it unlawful to operate, or to be an operator or worker at, a sexually oriented business or adult entertainment establishment that has not first obtained a license, or to keep operating once the license is known to be suspended, revoked or lapsed; a court finding of no valid license is grounds for closing the business. Subsection (c) sorts every license into one of six classifications: adult bookstore/adult video store, adult performance establishment, adult motel, adult theater, commercial bodily contact establishment, or escort service, and subsection (d) allows only a single license under a single classification per location.

Sec. 4-32 requires every sexually oriented business and adult entertainment establishment to comply with the separation and location standards in appendix B, article VI, section 2(A) of the land development code. Sec. 4-34 requires a sworn application to the city manager or designee with a nonrefundable $400 application fee under Sec. 4-36, and Sec. 4-39 gives the police chief, fire chief, building official and community development department 15 days to investigate an application before the city manager acts within 30 days under Sec. 4-40. Annual license fees run $200 per classification under Sec.

4-43, and licenses run October 1 through September 30 with renewal applications due at least 30 days before expiration under Sec. 4-44. Sec. 4-41 lists denial grounds tied to a license already under suspension or revoked within the preceding two years, and a denied applicant cannot reapply for nine months absent a changed circumstance under Sec. 4-42.