Redwood City, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- Zoning Administrator
- Permit term
- 1 year, renewable
- SOB-to-SOB spacing
- 1,000 feet, entrance to entrance
- Buffer from schools/churches/parks
- 1,000 feet, property line to line
- Business hours allowed
- 8:00 a.m. to midnight
- Minimum age on premises
- 18 years old
Summary
Redwood City requires a Sexually Oriented Business Regulatory Permit from the Zoning Administrator before any adult business opens, plus a separate performer permit for anyone appearing seminude. Zoning Code Article 27 additionally bars such businesses within 1,000 feet of another SOB, a school, church, park, or residential zone.
Every person who proposes to maintain, operate or conduct a sexually oriented business in the City shall file an application for a sexually oriented business regulatory permit with the Zoning Administrator upon a form provided by said Administrator, and shall pay a nonrefundable filing fee in an amount established by resolution adopted by the Council. The sexually oriented business regulatory permit required under this Article shall be in addition to all other permits required by the City.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Zoning Code: Supplement 29 | City Code: Supplement 61 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Municipal Code Chapter 18B makes it unlawful to operate a sexually oriented business, or to perform seminude at one, without first obtaining the applicable permit from the Zoning Administrator (Sec. 3, Sec. 4). Applications require the operator's legal identity, a floor plan, a site plan showing required lighting, and a straight-line drawing showing the distance to any other SOB and to nearby schools, churches, parks, or residential property (Sec. 5). 13 standards, the applicant lied on the application, is under 18, hasn't paid the fee, or the business does not conform to Zoning Ordinance Article 27 (Sec.
6, Sec. 7). Permits run one year and are nontransferable; a new operator at the same address must apply from scratch (Sec. 8). Performers need their own permit, supported by fingerprints, a photo, and disclosure of any prior prostitution registration or convictions under specified Penal Code sections; a conviction more than five years old does not bar issuance (Sec. 9, Sec. 10). Either permit can be suspended or revoked after a noticed hearing before a City Manager-appointed hearing officer for acts of prostitution, lewdness, obscenity offenses, or any violation of Chapter 18B itself (Sec.
11), with appeal and expedited judicial review available and a temporary permit issued while review is pending (Sec. 12). 3 layers on a citywide spacing rule: no SOB may locate within any residential zoning district, within 1,000 feet of another SOB (measured entrance to entrance), or within 1,000 feet of a school, church, public park, residentially zoned district, or residentially used parcel (measured property line to property line). The width of the Bayshore Freeway alone is deemed to exceed 1,000 feet for this measurement, effectively using it as a district-wide buffer.
Violations & Fines
Operating without a valid regulatory or performer permit, letting an unpermitted person perform, or violating Section 18B.13's operating standards (hours, lighting, security staffing, under-18 admission) is a misdemeanor under the City's general penalty provisions and grounds for permit suspension or revocation after a hearing. A revoked or denied applicant may seek judicial review, and the City must file for declaratory relief within three business days of a written request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a sexually oriented business locate anywhere zoned commercial in Redwood City?
Does the 1,000-foot buffer apply across the freeway?
Do performers need their own city permit?
How long does the city have to act on a permit application?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Redwood City
California rules heatmap·Compare Redwood City to another location·View the California business licensing & operations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.