New Orleans, LA Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)

Section 54-257 makes it "unlawful for any adult bookstore to operate within 2,000 feet of any church, school or playground," defining an adult bookstore as any premises where minors are excluded and retail sale of books, magazines, films, devices or similar material is a principal use, or a major draw as an adjunct to another business. The buffer is measured "as a person walks, using the sidewalk," from the nearest property line of the protected church, school or playground to the nearest point of the bookstore premises.

Stores already operating before the ordinance's effective date that fell inside the buffer had only 30 days to come into compliance. New Orleans separately licenses escort services under Chapter 30, Article VII. Section 30-501 requires anyone "carrying on the business of operating an escort service" within the city, or sending escorts into the city from outside it, to hold a license for each business premises. Section 30-502 requires a written application to the director of the department of finance disclosing officers, owners or partners, three years of address and employment history, fingerprints, photographs and any prior license suspensions or revocations, plus every criminal arrest and conviction.

00 of which is refunded if the license is denied. Section 30-504 routes every application to the superintendent of police for a background investigation reported back within 30 days, and § 30-505 bars the finance director from granting a license to anyone convicted of prostitution, pandering, pimping or lewd-conduct offenses within the prior five years, or under age 17.