West Haven, CT Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)

Chapter 64 of the West Haven Code, adopted by the City Council on 9-9-1996 as Ord. No. 360, regulates adult-oriented establishments in the City of West Haven, Connecticut. The definition in § 64-2 covers adult media outlets, adult motion-picture theaters (an enclosed building with a capacity of 50 or more persons), adult mini-motion-picture theaters (capacity of less than 50), adult newsracks and adult retail establishments. A business counts as an adult media outlet when fifty percent or more of its inventory, displayed merchandise, stock in trade, floor area or sales is devoted to the regulated items.

The application goes to the Chief of Police, with a photograph and fingerprints of the applicant. Under § 64-4, the Health Department, Fire Department, Building Department and Zoning Enforcement Officer must inspect the premises within 30 days of a complete application, and a license issues within 45 days if the premises comply with state and local health, fire and building codes and zoning regulations. An applicant is unqualified if under 18, overdue on city taxes, fees or fines tied to an adult business, in violation of the City of West Haven Zoning Regulations, or convicted of a felony within five years. Chapter 64 prints no distance separations. Location enters through the zoning test in § 64-4C(6), and the Zoning Regulations are a separate document.

Operating rules sit in § 64-3. Operators answer for their employees' violations, cannot let minors or intoxicated persons loiter on the premises or in adjacent patron parking lots, and must keep the premises lit at not less than one footcandle. New enclosed viewing booths are unlawful. Preexisting booths need a light level of no less than two footcandles, monitoring of all booth areas at least every 60 seconds, and doors that extend downward no further than 12 inches above the floor.

A license expires one year from issuance. Renewal applications are due at least 30 days before expiration, with a $500 fee under § 64-7, and no establishment operates on a lapsed license. Under § 64-11 a license cannot be transferred or used at any other address, and a transfer automatically revokes it. Denials, suspensions and revocations are appealed to the Board of Police Commissioners within 30 days of receiving notice, and then to Superior Court (§ 64-12).