St. George, UT Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)
Key Facts
- Zone allowed
- M-1 manufacturing only
- Buffer distance
- 1,000 feet
- Permit issuer
- City manager or designee
- Permit term
- Expires December 31 annually
- Max per building
- One such business
Summary
St. George confines sexually oriented businesses to the M-1 manufacturing zone and requires a city permit, with a 1,000-foot buffer from other such businesses, schools, churches, parks and residential zones.
The establishment of a sexually oriented business shall be permitted only in M-1 manufacturing zone... No person shall cause or permit the establishment of any of the following "sexually oriented businesses"... within one thousand feet (1,000') of another such business; or... within one thousand feet (1,000') of any religious institution, school, boys club, girls club, or similar existing youth organization, or public park, public square or public building.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-062, passed August 6, 2026).
Full Breakdown
City code limits sexually oriented businesses, adult arcades, bookstores, cabarets, motels, theaters, massage parlors, escort agencies and seminude model studios, to the M-1 manufacturing zone. Operating one is unlawful within 1,000 feet of another such business, a religious institution, school, youth club, public park, public square, public building, or any residential-zoned or residential-use property. Only one such business is allowed per building, and the city manager or designee issues, denies, suspends or revokes the required annual permit.
Violations & Fines
Operating without a valid permit, locating outside M-1 zone or within the 1,000-foot buffer, or running more than one sexually oriented business per building is unlawful and can trigger permit suspension or revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can a sexually oriented business operate in St. George?
Do I need a city permit to run one?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. George
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