Santa Monica, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)
Key Facts
- Permitted zones
- MUB, MUBL, GC, Bergamot, Downtown commercial districts
- Buffer from sensitive uses
- 500 feet (schools, churches, parks, libraries, playgrounds, residential zones)
- Buffer from other adult businesses
- 1,000 feet
- Max adult businesses per building
- One
- License approval deadline
- 30 days (auto-approved if City fails to act)
Summary
Adult entertainment (sexually-oriented) businesses may only operate in Santa Monica's designated commercial districts, must be at least 500 feet from schools, parks, libraries, churches, and residential zones, and at least 1,000 feet from any other adult business.
§ 9.59.030. Location of Sexually-Oriented Businesses. A. It shall be unlawful to operate or cause to be operated a sexually-oriented business except as provided in this Code:
1. Sexually-oriented businesses shall be considered a permitted use only in designated commercial districts. Sexually-oriented businesses shall be prohibited in all other zoning districts in the City.
2. Within the designated commercial districts, no person shall cause or permit the establishment of any sexually-oriented business within 500 feet of any, religious institution, school, public park, public library, public playground, or residential district, or within one thousand feet of another sexually-oriented business.
B. The required separation distance between sexually-oriented businesses and any of the uses specified above shall be measured in a straight line from the closest points on the property lines of each site.
C. No more than one sexually-oriented business may be operated or maintained in the same building, structure, or portion thereof.
Full Breakdown
The designated commercial districts are MUB, MUBL, GC, Bergamot, and Downtown. Separation distances are measured in a straight line from the closest property lines of each site. Only one sexually-oriented business may operate per building. The city must act on a business license application within 30 days or it is deemed approved. Licenses may be denied for false statements, failure to meet zoning requirements, noncompliance with applicable laws, or unresolved prior license suspensions. Any sale or transfer of the business license requires prior written City approval.
Violations & Fines
Operating a sexually-oriented business outside the permitted zones or buffer requirements is unlawful. Business licenses may be denied for violations or misrepresentations. Nonconforming uses that existed prior to September 27, 2005, were required to terminate by November 24, 2006, unless an extension was granted by the City Council.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an adult entertainment business open near a school or park?
Can two adult entertainment venues share a building?
How long does the City have to approve or deny an adult business license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Monica
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Adult Entertainment in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle adult entertainment.