Murrieta, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)

Murrieta Code of Ordinances Chapter 5.16 makes it unlawful, and a misdemeanor, to operate a sexually-oriented business without a city permit (§ 5.16.020(A)). The city manager grants, denies, renews, suspends and cancels these permits and must confirm the business complies with the zoning ordinance's locational requirements before issuing one (§ 5.16.020(B)); the Chief of Police supplies information on any applicant's criminal history. An application must include a current certificate and straight-line drawing, prepared by a California-registered land surveyor within 30 days of filing, depicting any established sexually-oriented use, religious institution, school, public park or residentially-zoned property within 1,500 feet of the site (§ 5.16.030(D)(12)).

The city manager must deny an application if the applicant is under 18, is behind on city taxes or fees, has falsified the application, or is in violation of the chapter's zoning location requirements, and must deny a renewed application filed within 12 months of a prior denial at the same location absent changed circumstances (§ 5.16.040(C)). Convictions for specified criminal acts (crimes against children, sexual abuse, rape, prostitution-related or tax offenses) disqualify an applicant for two to five years depending on the offense (§ 5.16.040(C)(1)(j)).

A permit expires one year from issuance and renewal must be filed at least 30 days before expiration (§ 5.16.070(A)); a denied renewal locks the applicant out for a year unless the basis for denial is corrected and 90 days have passed (§ 5.16.070(B)). The annual permit fee is set by city council resolution (§ 5.16.050). Advertising the business or its prohibited activities while operating without a permit is a separate misdemeanor (§ 5.16.130).