Rochester, MN Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)

City Code § 5-11-3 makes it unlawful to operate a companionship establishment or engage in a companionship sale without a licensed premises, to operate an escort service without an escort service license, or to operate a private adult dancer service without a private adult dancer service license. Sections 5-11-4 and 5-11-5 separately require each individual escort and private adult dancer to hold their own personal license, on top of the business license.

Applications go to the city clerk and require fingerprints and front-and-side police photographs of the applicant, a description of the premises, five years of residence and employment history, a criminal conviction history, and disclosure of whether the applicant is a resident alien lacking work authorization. The police department, building safety department, fire department, and planning and zoning department investigate before the council grants or denies the license.

Annual license fees are set by council resolution; licenses run the calendar year and expire December 31, with the fee cut in half if six months or less remain when first issued, and renewal applications due at least 60 days before expiration under § 5-11-6. The council may refuse to issue or renew a license under § 5-11-7 for disqualifying criminal convictions, a license revocation within the prior year, holding a liquor license at the same location, unpaid city debts, or a proposed location that conflicts with zoning or sits too close to churches, schools or playgrounds. Facilities must meet § 5-11-12 standards: rooms lit to at least 15 footcandles, no bed or sofa, and an unlockable door with a clear 12-inch viewing window.