New Braunfels, TX Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)
Key Facts
- License fee
- $500 per year
- Spacing buffer
- 1,000 feet
- Protected uses
- Churches, schools, parks, homes
- Issuing authority
- Chief of police
- Base fine
- Up to $500/day
Summary
Sexually oriented businesses in New Braunfels need a $500 annual police-issued license and must sit at least 1,000 feet from churches, schools, parks, homes, and other adult businesses.
A person commits an offense if he operates or causes to be operated a sexually oriented business within 1,000 feet of: (1) A church; (2) A public or private elementary or secondary school, or a day care center; ... (4) A public park; or (5) The property line of a lot having any residential use... A person commits an offense if he causes or permits the operation, establishment, substantial enlargement, or transfer of ownership or control of a sexually oriented business within 1,000 feet of another sexually oriented business.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 36).
Full Breakdown
New Braunfels licenses adult arcades, bookstores, cabarets, motels, theaters, escort agencies, nude model studios, and sexual encounter centers through the police chief for an annual $500 fee. Sec. 18-235 bans operating one within 1,000 feet of a church, school or day care, public park, residential-use property line, or listed residential/business zoning districts, and bars two sexually oriented businesses from locating within 1,000 feet of each other or sharing a building. Denied applicants can seek a one-year council exemption from the spacing rule within 10 days.
Violations & Fines
Operating in violation of the 1,000-foot spacing rule is a fine up to $500 per offense (each day separate); for nude model studios or sexual encounter centers it's a Class A misdemeanor. Operating without a license is also injunctable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a sexually oriented business locate downtown near a church?
Can two adult businesses share a building in New Braunfels?
Is there a way around the spacing rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New Braunfels
Texas rules heatmap·Compare New Braunfels to another location·View the Texas business licensing & operations overview
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