Sahuarita, AZ Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)
Key Facts
- License required
- Sexually oriented business license from the town clerk
- Spacing requirement
- 1,500 feet from homes, schools, parks, churches
- Spacing from competitors
- 1,500 feet from another sexually oriented business
- Review timeline
- 45 days for business license decisions
- Penalty
- Class one misdemeanor per violation
- License scope
- One license per business classification
Summary
Operating a sexually oriented business in Sahuarita requires a town clerk-issued license under Town Code Chapter 5.30, and every employee needs a separate employee license. The town must deny a license if the premises sit within 1,500 feet of a residential zone, school, park, religious use, family-oriented entertainment business or another sexually oriented business.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a sexually oriented business without first obtaining and maintaining a valid sexually oriented business license issued pursuant to this chapter. ... 7. The premises to be used for the sexually oriented business are located within 1,500 feet of any residential zone, single- or multiple-family dwelling, family-oriented entertainment business, religious use, park or school; ... 8. The premises to be used for the sexually oriented business are located within 1,500 feet of either any other sexually oriented business licensed under this chapter or any other sexually oriented business that would be licensed under this chapter if it were located with the town limits;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4745395; v0 updated 2025-12-08; through 12-08-2025).
Full Breakdown
040 makes it unlawful to operate a sexually oriented business without a valid license, unlawful to employ anyone lacking a sexually oriented business employee license, and unlawful for an employee to work without one, except for limited repair or maintenance work. 020. 030, and an establishment offering more than one classification needs a separate license for each. 060. The town clerk must deny a business license if the applicant is under 18, has been denied or had a license revoked in the preceding 12 months, is overdue on town taxes, fees or fines, has a specified criminal conviction, lacks health, fire or building department sign-off, or if the premises sit within 1,500 feet of any residential zone, single- or multiple-family dwelling, family-oriented entertainment business, religious use, park, school, or another sexually oriented business, existing or one that would qualify if located in town. 130. 150. 290.
Violations & Fines
A person who violates any provision of Chapter 5.30, including operating without a valid license or employing an unlicensed worker, is guilty of a class one misdemeanor under § 5.30.280. Operating a sexually oriented business without a valid license is also declared a nuisance, letting the town attorney sue for injunctive relief or nuisance abatement in addition to criminal prosecution.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sahuarita
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