Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
Key FactsOrdinance TextFull BreakdownViolationsFAQSourcesMore in Mobile

Mobile, AL Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Buffer from church/school/park/home
1,000 feet
Buffer from another adult business
2,000 feet
Entertainer card fee
$100 issuance/renewal
Card issued by
Mobile Police Department

Summary

Mobile bars new adult entertainment enterprises within 1,000 feet of a church, school, park, or home and within 2,000 feet of another adult business, on top of an individual entertainer permit.

The establishment, enlargement, expansion, increase, reconstruction, resumption or structural alteration of any adult entertainment enterprise is prohibited: (a) If the adult entertainment enterprise is within one thousand (1,000) feet of any existing church, school, park, residentially zoned (R-1, R-2, R-3) area or residential structure; or (b) Within two thousand (2,000) feet of any existing adult entertainment enterprise.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 67).

Full Breakdown

The Unified Development Code prohibits establishing, expanding, or relocating an adult entertainment enterprise within 1,000 feet of any church, school, park, or residentially zoned (R-1, R-2, R-3) area or dwelling, or within 2,000 feet of an existing adult entertainment enterprise, measured straight-line from the closest exterior wall to the nearest property line. Separately, Chapter 3 requires every employee of an adult entertainment establishment to hold a city-issued adult entertainment card, obtained through the police department for a $100 annual fee, carried on the job, and subject to suspension or revocation for prostitution-related or other listed convictions.

Violations & Fines

Opening, expanding, or relocating an adult entertainment enterprise inside a prohibited buffer, or letting an employee work without a valid, unrevoked adult entertainment card, is an offense against the city.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far must an adult entertainment business be from a school in Mobile?
At least 1,000 feet, measured in a straight line from the enterprise's nearest exterior wall to the school's property line, under UDC Sec. 64-4-4.
Do employees at an adult entertainment club need a city permit in Mobile?
Yes. Sec. 3-21 requires a valid adult entertainment card, issued by the police department for a $100 fee and renewed annually.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Mobile

Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsMassage EstablishmentsSome RestrictionsSecondhand DealersSignificant RestrictionsTattoo & Body ModificationSome RestrictionsTobacco Retail LicenseSome RestrictionsTowing CompaniesSignificant RestrictionsPawnbrokersSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSignificant RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Neighbor Fence RulesSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningSignificant RestrictionsFire Regulations: Smoke DetectorsSome Restrictions

All Mobile rules

Compare Mobile to another location·View the Alabama business licensing & operations overview

Get notified when Adult Entertainment in Mobile, AL changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.