Sangamon County, IL Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)
Key Facts
- Permitted zone
- B-3 conditional use only
- Residential buffer
- 500 feet minimum
- Clustering limit
- 1,000 feet from other adult uses
- Applies to
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
Unincorporated Sangamon County confines adult bookstores, theaters and night clubs to a conditional permit in the B-3 district, 500 feet from residential areas and 1,000 feet from other adult uses.
The adult uses as defined in Section 17.54.020 shall be permitted only as a conditional permitted use in the B-3 service business district. Persons desirous of using I-1 and I-2 property for said use as defined in Section 17.54.020 shall petition for a conditional permitted use in the B-3 classification.
(Res. 1-1 §3(Q) (2), November 16, 1982; Res. 8, June 9, 1980)
17.54.040 Required Distances For Adult Uses No adult uses as defined in Section 17.50.020 may be operated within five hundred (500) feet of a residential zoning district or an agriculture zoning district that is improved with residential uses and/or schools and/or churches. No adult uses as defined in Section 17.50.020 may be operated within one thousand (1,000) feet of any two other adult uses. (Res. 1-1 §3(Q) (3), November 16, 1982; Res. 8, June 9, 1980)
Full Breakdown
Chapter 17.54 of the county zoning ordinance defines adult uses, adult bookstores, drive-in theaters, night clubs and theaters emphasizing specified sexual activities or anatomical areas, and confines them to a conditional permitted use in the B-3 service business district; I-1 and I-2 property owners must petition for that same B-3 conditional use. Section 17.54.040 sets required distances: no adult use may operate within 500 feet of a residential district or an agricultural district improved with residences, schools or churches, and none may operate within 1,000 feet of any two other adult uses. The rule reaches only unincorporated county land.
Violations & Fines
Requires county board approval as a conditional permitted use after a Zoning Board of Appeals hearing; Title 17 violations are a petty offense fined $25-$500 per day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can an adult bookstore operate in Sangamon County?
How close can two adult uses be to each other?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sangamon County
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