Paterson, NJ Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)
Key Facts
- Approval required
- Conditional-use approval
- Spacing
- 1,000 ft from schools, churches, homes
- Min. lot size
- 10,000 square feet
- Signage cap
- 2 signs, 40 sq ft or 5%
Summary
Sexually-oriented businesses in Paterson need conditional-use approval and must sit at least 1,000 feet from schools, churches, playgrounds, child care centers, homes, and other such businesses.
No person shall operate, nor as record owners of a premises allow to be operated, such an establishment within 1,000 feet of any existing church, synagogue, temple or other place of public worship or any elementary or secondary school or any school bus stop or any municipal or county playground or place of public recreation, or any hospital or any child care center, or within 1,000 feet of any residential zone. Such distance shall be measured as a straight line radial distance from the edge of the property lines. This subsection shall not apply to a sexually- oriented business already lawfully operating on the effective date of this Ordinance where another sexually oriented businesses, an elementary or secondary school or school bus stop, or any municipal or county playground or place of public recreation, or any hospital or any child care center, is subsequently established within 1,000 feet, or where a residential district or residential lot is subsequently established within 1,000 feet.
176 City of Paterson, Zoning Ordinance Chapter 500 Zoning
B. Such use shall not be located within 1,000 feet of an existing sexually oriented business or go-go bar. Such distance shall be measured as a straight line radial distance from the edge of the
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 483 permits sexually-oriented businesses only with Planning Board conditional-use approval and only on lots of at least 10,000 square feet, confined to the ground floor with no street-visible entertainment. The 1,000-foot buffer runs from churches, schools, school bus stops, playgrounds, hospitals, child care centers and residential zones, and separately from any other sexually-oriented business or go-go bar. This is Article V, certified as adopted by the City Council on February 9, 2016; confirm no later amendment with the City Clerk's office.
Violations & Fines
Operating without conditional-use approval, inside the 1,000-foot buffer, on an undersized lot, or without the required perimeter buffer and screening is a zoning violation subject to enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a sexually-oriented business locate anywhere in Paterson?
Is there a minimum lot size for these businesses in Paterson?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Paterson
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