Madison County, IL Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Special use permit, one per location
- Allowed zoning
- B-3 Highway Business District only
- Setback from sensitive uses
- 1,000 feet, property line to property line
- Cluster limit
- Max 2 within 1,000 feet of each other
- Grandfather cutoff
- Operating before Sept. 20, 1995
- Max fine
- $500 per violation per day
Summary
Adult businesses in unincorporated Madison County need a special use permit and can only locate in a B-3 Highway Business District, at least 1,000 feet from any residential zone, dwelling, church, school, licensed day care, cemetery or park.
No adult business may operate within the unincorporated territory of this county without first having obtained a special use permit. ... All adult businesses shall be located within a B-3 Highway Business District. ... No adult business shall be located within 1,000 feet of any residential zone, single or multiple-family dwelling, church, school, licensed day-care facility, cemetery or park. Said distance shall be measured from property line to property line.
Full Breakdown
01 to include adults-only bookstores, theaters, entertainment centers, massage parlors, rap parlors, cabarets and saunas, may operate in unincorporated county territory without first obtaining a special use permit, with a separate permit required for each location. 177(H) appeal is heard within 60 days. 03 sets the location restrictions: all adult businesses must sit within a B-3 Highway Business District; none may locate within 1,000 feet, measured property line to property line, of any residential zone, single or multi-family dwelling, church, school, licensed day-care facility, cemetery or park; and no more than two adult businesses may sit within 1,000 feet of each other, excluding streets, alleys and public ways.
The county explains this is meant to address secondary effects such as attracting transients, depressing property values, increasing crime including prostitution, and blighting the surrounding area. 03(C)(4) grandfathers adult businesses that were established and operating continuously before September 20, 1995 as nonconforming uses, so long as they are not enlarged.
Violations & Fines
Section 76.99 makes an operator, agent or employee who violates any provision of Chapter 76 subject to a fine of up to $500 per violation, with each day a violation continues counted as a separate offense. The county may also pursue injunctive relief, and the State's Attorney's Office may separately pursue criminal charges arising from the same conduct.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an adult business open anywhere in unincorporated Madison County?
How many adult businesses can locate near each other?
Do older adult businesses have to move if they violate the setback?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madison County
Compare Madison County to another location·View the Illinois business licensing & operations overview
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