Clay County, FL Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)
Key Facts
- Annual license fee
- $200 per classification (§ 2.3-19)
- Licensing office
- County manager or designee (§ 2.3-9)
- Primary enforcer
- Clay County Sheriff (§ 2.3-9(1))
- License term
- October 1 to September 30 (§ 2.3-20)
- Renewal deadline
- 30 days before expiration (§ 2.3-20)
- Maximum penalty
- $500 fine or 60 days jail (§ 2.3-6)
- License classifications
- Six types, one per location (§ 2.3-7)
Summary
Clay County requires a license before anyone can operate, manage, or work at an adult entertainment establishment or sexually oriented business in the unincorporated county. Only one license, under a single classification, issues per location, and operating without a valid license is unlawful under Clay County Code of Ordinances § 2.3-7.
(a)Requirement. It is unlawful for any person to operate or to be an operator of or worker at an adult entertainment establishment or a sexually oriented business which has not first obtained a license which is applicable for said establishment or business pursuant to this chapter; or to continue to operate or be an operator of or worker at an adult entertainment establishment or a sexually oriented business if that person knows or has reason to know that the license of the establishment or business is under suspension, has been revoked or has lapsed. The operation of an adult entertainment establishment or a sexually oriented business without a valid license, where applicable, is unlawful and shall be grounds for the closing of the establishment or business upon a finding of fact by a court or other body with proper jurisdiction that the establishment does not have a valid license.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 86).
Full Breakdown
3-7 makes it unlawful to operate, be an operator of, or work at an adult bookstore, adult video store, adult theater, adult motel, adult performance establishment, commercial bodily contact establishment, or escort service in unincorporated Clay County without first obtaining the applicable license, and continuing to operate on a suspended, revoked, or lapsed license is equally unlawful. 3-9, which also assigns enforcement duties: the sheriff enforces the chapter, the building official inspects for building-code compliance, the fire chief inspects for fire-code compliance, and the economic and development services director confirms the location satisfies the separation, distance, zoning, and land-use requirements of Article III of the Land Development Code, the instrument that sets the actual siting and spacing standards.
3-8 bars operation on any parcel where the use is not permitted under that LDC article. 3-20 runs the license year from October 1 through September 30, with renewal applications due at least thirty days before expiration; a late renewal does not toll the expiration date. 3-35 separately makes it unlawful to operate, manage, or work at an unlicensed, suspended, revoked, canceled, or expired establishment once the person knows or should know of that status.
Violations & Fines
Section 2.3-6 makes a violation of any provision of Chapter 2.3 a misdemeanor prosecuted under F.S. § 125.69, punishable by a fine up to $500.00, up to sixty days in the county jail, or both, with each incident or separate occurrence charged as a distinct offense. The county may also pursue injunctive relief or other civil or criminal remedies, and an unlicensed establishment can be closed by court order under § 2.3-7(a).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to run an adult business in unincorporated Clay County?
How much does the Clay County adult entertainment license cost?
Can I operate while my license application is pending or after it expires?
Where in the county can these businesses locate?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clay County
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