Palm Coast, FL Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)

Under Section 16-83, every adult entertainment establishment in Palm Coast must locate within the industrial zoning district shown on the official land use district map; no other district qualifies. Section 16-84 then layers spacing restrictions on top of that zoning limit: no one may establish, substantially enlarge, or transfer ownership of an adult entertainment establishment within 1,000 feet of another adult entertainment establishment, or within 2,500 feet of any area zoned or designated for residential use, or within 2,500 feet of a school, church, public park, or other semi-public or public use, including land zoned PLI for public lands and institutions.

The code defines a 'substantial enlargement' as growing the licensed premises by more than ten percent of its original size, which triggers the same spacing analysis as a brand-new location. Section 16-85 measures all of these distances in a straight line, lot line to lot line, without regard to intervening structures, roads, or municipal boundaries. Beyond zoning and spacing, Section 16-87 makes it unlawful to operate, or work at, a sexually oriented business or adult entertainment establishment without first obtaining a City license classified under one of six categories, including adult bookstore, adult theater, adult motel, adult performance establishment, commercial bodily contact establishment, or escort service, and only one license under a single classification may issue per location. The Flagler County Sheriff's Office verifies applicant background information as part of that licensing process under Section 16-88.