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

170(A) makes it unlawful to operate, engage in, conduct or carry on any sexually oriented business unless the owner first obtains, and continues to maintain, a sexually oriented business permit issued by the Planning Commission (called "the Commission" in the code). Only the business owner, and only an owner at least 18 years old, may apply, and the permit is nontransferable to another owner or another address under subsection (E). Location is tightly restricted under subsection (F): the use is confined to two specific mapped areas of the city, one bounded by Pumice Street, Excelsior Drive, Carmenita Road, and the city boundary (with no frontage allowed on Carmenita Road), and a second bounded by Leyva Street, Alondra Boulevard, Blackburn Avenue, and Shoemaker Avenue (with no frontage on Alondra Boulevard or Shoemaker Avenue).

On top of the mapped areas, no sexually oriented business may sit within 500 feet of any lot with an on-sale alcoholic beverage license, measured as a straight line from the business's primary entrance to the property line of the licensed business. 170(G) add further conditions: no temporary or portable structures, screened trash dumpsters, landscaping capped at 30 inches except trees, dusk-to-close parking lot lighting, and posted age-restriction notices at the entrance. The Commission must approve or deny a complete application within 45 City business days.