Renton, WA Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)

Renton Municipal Code 5-12-2 flatly bars using any property for an adult entertainment business except as permitted by city ordinance, and 5-12-3 makes it unlawful to operate without a valid adult entertainment business license from the Director (the Finance Administrator or designee, per 5-12-1). The $750 business license, plus $75 entertainer and $75 manager license fees under 5-12-12, must be renewed annually and applications go through Fire, Community and Economic Development, Seattle-King County Public Health, and Police review under 5-12-5, with a decision due within 45 days under 5-12-6.

Separately, RMC 4-3-010's Adult Retail and Entertainment Regulations impose a citywide 1,000-foot buffer: these uses cannot locate within 1,000 feet of any residential zone or residential use, public or private school, day care or preschool, religious facility, public park (other than a park that is solely a trail), another adult entertainment or adult retail use, or an alcohol-serving tavern, bar, dance hall or restaurant. B allows such a use only in zones west of SR 167 and south of I-405, south of and not facing SW 16th Street, west of and not facing East Valley Highway, not within 1,000 feet of another adult use or of the Boeing 'Longacres' property, and not sharing street frontage with another such use.

C. Licenses can be denied under 5-12-7 for applicants under 18, false statements, unpaid fines, or failure to meet fire, building, zoning or health code requirements.