Sebastian County, AR Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)
Key Facts
- Schools/church/park buffer
- 500 feet
- Between two SOBs
- 1,000 feet
- Alcohol establishment buffer
- 200 feet
- Residential area buffer
- 200-400 feet
- Max fine
- $500 under § 111.99
- Governing ordinance
- Ord. 2004-26, passed 10-19-04
Summary
Sexually oriented businesses in unincorporated Sebastian County must sit at least 500 feet from a church, school, or park; at least 1,000 feet from another such business; and away from residential areas, or face a fine.
(1) No sexually oriented business may be operated within 500 feet of: (a) A church; (b) A public or private elementary, secondary or post-secondary school, pre-school, or child care facility; (c) A public park. ... (3) No sexually oriented business may be operated within 1,000 feet of another sexually oriented business or within 200 feet of any room, building, premises, place or establishment that sells or dispenses alcohol or beer.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-62: 2026 S-62 contains Local legislation current through April 21, 2026).
Full Breakdown
03. 04(A)(1) bars a sexually oriented business from operating within 500 feet of a church; a public or private elementary, secondary, or post-secondary school, preschool, or child care facility; or a public park. 04(A)(2) adds residential buffers: no such business may operate within 200 feet of a residential area boundary or a public hotel or motel, or within 400 feet of a residential area or use as measured by automobile travel distance from the business's exit to the residential property line. 04(A)(3) requires 1,000 feet of separation from another sexually oriented business and 200 feet from any place selling or dispensing alcohol or beer.
04(A)(4). 04(B) protects a lawfully operating business from being retroactively rendered illegal if a church, school, park, or residential use moves in nearby afterward. 01 is to prevent concentration of these businesses in the unincorporated county while expressly disclaiming any intent to restrict First Amendment-protected content.
Violations & Fines
Operating a sexually oriented business in violation of the spacing rules is punishable under Section 111.99 by a fine not to exceed $500, plus up to $250 for each day a continuing violation persists, and the county can pursue both an injunction and criminal prosecution against the operator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far must an adult business be from a school in Sebastian County?
Can two adult businesses operate near each other?
What if a church later moves near an existing adult business?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sebastian County
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