Spokane adult cabarets and bookstores require special business licenses, mandatory buffer zones from schools, churches, and residential zones, and four-foot performer-patron separation under longstanding SMC adult business regulations.
Spokane regulates adult entertainment businesses including adult cabarets, bookstores, and theaters under specialized provisions of SMC Chapter 10 and zoning Chapter 17C. Businesses need a special license separate from a standard business license, with employee permits for performers, ID verification, and operator background checks. Four-foot minimum separation between nude performers and patrons is enforced under SMC; tipping must occur via tip jar rather than direct contact. Zoning restricts adult businesses to specific commercial zones and requires 1,000-foot buffers from schools, churches, parks, and residential districts. Hours of operation are restricted overnight.
Unlicensed adult business operation, lap dancing in violation of separation rules, or operating in restricted zones is a misdemeanor with potential license revocation under SMC Ch. 10.
See how Spokane's adult entertainment rules stack up against other locations.
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