Honolulu County, HI Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Panoram business license
- Issuing office
- Dept. of Budget & Fiscal Services
- Minimum aisle width
- 6 feet, continuous
- Max civil fine
- $1,000 per violation
Summary
Honolulu requires a city panoram license to run adult peep-show booth businesses and sets a minimum 6-foot aisle so every booth stays visible to staff and inspectors.
Except as provided under subsection (c), the interior of a licensed location shall be arranged so that each panoram booth is entered from a continuous main aisle at least 6 feet wide. A panoram booth shall have no entrance other than the one from the main aisle.
(b) The viewing area in each panoram booth must be visible from a continuous main aisle and must not be obscured by any curtain, door, wall, or other enclosure at the entrance to the panoram booth. The obstruction of the viewing area by a chair or seat complying with subsection (d) shall not be a violation of this subsection.
(c) This subsection shall apply to the minimum aisle width of a licensed location which was used in the panoram business on April 30, 1997* and became subject to a license issued under this article on January 1, 1998. As required under subsection (a), the interior of the licensed location shall be arranged so that each panoram booth is entered from a continuous main aisle. If the aisle was at least 6 feet wide on April 30, 1997,* the aisle shall remain at least 6 feet wide in accordance with subsection (a). If the aisle was less than 6 feet wide on April 30, 1997,* the aisle may remain at that width as long as:
(1) The licensee maintains a valid license for the location; and
(2) The aisle is in compliance with applicable building and fire prevention ordinances.
(d) A chair or other seat in a panoram booth shall not provide a seating
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-10: Supplement 10, 12-2025 Ordinance No. 25-40 through Ordinance No. 25-56).
Full Breakdown
Under ROH Article 8, a person may operate a panoram business (coin-or-fee-activated booths showing sexually explicit film or video) only with a panoram license from the director of budget and fiscal services. Each licensed location must arrange booths off a continuous main aisle at least 6 feet wide, with the viewing area visible from that aisle and no obscuring curtains, doors, or screens.
Violations & Fines
Violating the article or a license condition is a misdemeanor, a civil fine up to $1,000, or both; the director may also suspend or revoke the license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open an adult peep-show business in Honolulu without a permit?
Are there layout rules for licensed booths?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Honolulu County
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