Fort Bend County, TX Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)
Key Facts
- Authority
- Loc. Gov't Code Ch. 243
- Applies to
- Unincorporated county only
- License
- County permit required
- Location limit
- Away from schools, churches, homes
- Penalty
- Class A misdemeanor
Summary
Fort Bend County has adopted an order regulating sexually oriented businesses in its unincorporated areas under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 243. Operators must obtain a county license and meet locational limits that keep such businesses away from schools, places of worship, and residential neighborhoods.
Sec. 243.003. AUTHORITY TO REGULATE. (a) A municipality by ordinance or a county by order of the commissioners court may adopt regulations regarding sexually oriented businesses as the municipality or county considers necessary to promote the public health, safety, or welfare... (c) A regulation adopted by a county applies only to the parts of the county outside the corporate limits of a municipality.
Full Breakdown
Under Local Government Code Sec. 243.003, the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court adopted its Regulations for Sexually Oriented Businesses by order, and that order applies only to the parts of the county outside any city's corporate limits. The regulations require an owner or operator to obtain a county-issued license (Sec. 243.007) and restrict where such businesses can locate, barring them within set distances of a school, regular place of religious worship, or residential neighborhood (Sec. 243.006). The County Attorney enforces the order; the county can seek a district-court injunction and inspect premises for compliance. Violating a regulation adopted under Chapter 243 is a Class A misdemeanor.
Violations & Fines
Operating a sexually oriented business without the required county license, or within a prohibited distance of a school, church, or residential neighborhood, is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $4,000 and up to one year in county jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the county rule apply inside cities like Sugar Land or Katy?
What counts as a sexually oriented business?
What is the penalty for violating the county order?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Bend County
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Fort Bend County to another location·View the Texas business licensing & operations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.