Sunnyvale, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)
Key Facts
- Licensing agency
- Director of Public Safety
- Zoning districts allowed
- M-S and M-3 only
- Buffer from other adult business
- 200 feet (§ 19.60.020)
- Buffer from homes, churches, schools, parks
- 1,000 feet (§ 19.60.030)
- Application decision deadline
- 30 days from complete application
- Appeal deadline
- 15 days to city manager
Summary
Sunnyvale requires every adult business to hold a license from the Director of Public Safety under SMC Chapter 9.40, and confines these uses to the M-S and M-3 zoning districts. SMC Chapter 19.60 bars an adult business within 1,000 feet of residential zoning, a church, a school or a park, and within 200 feet of any other adult business.
(a) It is unlawful for any person to engage in, conduct, or carry on or permit to be engaged in, conducted or carried on, in or upon any premises within the city the operation of an adult business unless the person first obtains and continues to maintain in full force and effect a license issued by the director of public safety as required by this chapter. ... no lot or parcel or property in any zoning district or any building or structure thereon or any portion thereof shall be used for an adult business establishment at a location closer than one thousand feet to any residentially zoned lot or parcel of property; or to any church, synagogue or place of worship; or to any public or private school providing educational services to students at any level from kindergarten through the twelfth grade, inclusive; or to any park, whether any such residentially zoned property, church, school or park is situated within or outside the city.
Full Breakdown
040(a). 040(b)). 050). 060); missing that deadline lets the applicant begin operating. 010). 030(c). 230 without losing their exemption, so long as square footage does not grow more than 25 percent absent council approval.
Violations & Fines
Denial or revocation grounds under § 9.40.070 and § 9.40.100 include material misstatements on the application, failure to meet Title 19 location/zoning rules, building/fire/health code noncompliance, and knowingly permitting prostitution, lewdness, sex offenses requiring Penal Code § 290 registration, violent felonies, or controlled-substance felonies on the premises. The Director of Public Safety issues written notice and holds a hearing before suspension or revocation (§§ 9.40.110-.120); the licensee has 15 days to appeal to the city manager (§ 9.40.130), and the city manager's decision is reviewable in court under Code of Civil Procedure § 1094.8. No license fee is refunded on suspension, revocation or discontinuance (§ 9.40.140).
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can an adult business legally locate in Sunnyvale?
How far must an adult business be from a school or church in Sunnyvale?
Can two adult businesses operate near each other in Sunnyvale?
What happens if I operate an adult business without a Sunnyvale license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sunnyvale
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Adult Entertainment in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Santa Clara County handle adult entertainment.