East Baton Rouge Parish, LA Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)
Key Facts
- Certifying authority
- Chief of Police
- Certificate fee
- $5.00 per certificate
- Certificate term
- 1 year unless revoked
- Performing uncertified
- fine up to $50 or 15 days jail
- Revocation trigger
- felony, drug or prostitution conviction
- Appeal window
- 15 days to Metropolitan Council
Summary
Baton Rouge bars a retail alcohol dealer from hiring an "exotic dancer" who lacks a certificate of qualification issued by the chief of police. The $5 certificate is good for one year, must be carried on the job, and can be pulled for a felony, drug or prostitution conviction.
no retail dealer shall employ any male or female entertainers commonly known as "exotic dancers" unless such entertainers have been issued a certificate of qualification by the chief of police ... Each applicant shall pay to the chief of police at the time of issuing such certificate of qualification a fee of five dollars ($5.00) to cover the cost of issuing such certificate; and such certificate shall be valid for a period of one (1) year unless sooner revoked, canceled or suspended ... Any person convicted of performing as an "exotic dancer" without having a certificate of qualification to do so shall be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars ($50.00) or imprisonment of not more than fifteen (15) days, or both at discretion of the judge.
Full Breakdown
City-Parish Code Title 9, Chapter 6 regulates exotic dancers as part of the alcoholic-beverage licensing scheme, adopted under La. S. 26:494. Section 9:325 (marked "City" in the code, so it reaches establishments within the city limits) makes it unlawful for any retail liquor dealer to employ a male or female "exotic dancer" who has not first been certified by the chief of police, and separately bars hiring a male impersonating a female, or a female impersonating a male, as a dancer or bartender. Section 9:326 defines an exotic dancer as anyone hired to dance, gyrate or twist on the floor, tables, stage or other contrivance of a retail liquor establishment.
00 fee, and receives a certificate valid one year unless sooner revoked. Certificate holders must carry the certificate on the premises and show it to any police officer on demand, and must notify the chief of police within 24 hours of any address or employment change. The chief may refuse a certificate "in the interest of the public health, safety and morals," and a felony, narcotics, drug or prostitution conviction after issuance triggers immediate revocation. Section 9:329 bars a certified dancer from soliciting drink purchases on the premises (the classic "B-drinking" prohibition), though it exempts regular waitstaff and bartenders.
A denied, suspended or revoked applicant may take a devolutive appeal to the Metropolitan Council within 15 days by written request to the council administrator, who must schedule a hearing within 20 days; the chief's decision is otherwise final.
Violations & Fines
Performing as an exotic dancer without a valid certificate is punishable by a fine of not more than $50.00 or imprisonment of not more than 15 days, or both, at the judge's discretion (§ 9:327(h)). A liquor licensee that knowingly hires an uncertified dancer risks suspension or revocation of its own alcohol permit under § 9:327(i). The police chief may also refuse, suspend or revoke a dancer's certificate outright for a disqualifying conviction, subject to the 15-day appeal window to the council.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do exotic dancers need a permit to work in Baton Rouge?
How much does the certificate cost and how long does it last?
What happens if someone performs without a certificate?
Can the police chief deny or revoke a dancer's certificate?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in East Baton Rouge Parish
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