West Palm Beach, FL Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)

Chapter 94, § 94-273(d)(1) lists adult entertainment establishments as uses permitted only with extra requirements under the city's special use review process. Applicants must submit proof of any licenses required by local, state and other authorities, and the establishment must meet the use limitations of section 17-147 of the Palm Beach County Adult Entertainment Code as adopted by City Ordinance No. 3193-98. The locational standard in § 94-273(d)(1)(b)(2) sets a 750-foot buffer measured property line to property line in a straight path, without regard to intervening structures, using the latest county property appraiser parcel maps and a common architectural or engineering scale measuring technique.

The 750-foot buffer applies against any land zoned for residential use, against any other adult entertainment establishment (unless the two share the same building), and against any preexisting church, educational institution, or city-controlled public park, playground, swimming pool, golf course or athletic field. Section 94-273(d)(1)(b)(3) bars advertisements, displays or promotional materials visible from public sidewalks or semipublic areas, and (b)(4) requires doors, windows and other openings to be located, covered or screened so the interior cannot be viewed from outside. An establishment that held a valid occupational license before November 30, 1998 but does not meet the current spacing standard may continue as a legal nonconforming use under § 94-273(d)(1)(b)(6), subject to the nonconforming-use rules of chapter 94, article XVI. 00 per day plus the city's power to seek an injunction or abatement order in court.