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Davidson County, NC Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)

Significant Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Permit required from: County Manager, § 113.15
Annual permit fee: $500, § 113.18
Permit term: one year, renew 30 days before expiry
Applies in: unincorporated Davidson County, § 113.03
Suspension length: up to 30 days, § 113.20
Standard revocation length: one year, three years for sex-crime convictions

Summary

Davidson County requires a permit from the County Manager before anyone can operate an adult establishment in the unincorporated county under § 113.15. The annual permit costs $500 under § 113.18, runs for one year, and can be suspended or revoked for age violations, prostitution, or other misconduct on the premises.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Davidson County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(A) Except as provided in division (B) below, from and after the effective date of this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person or entity to operate an adult establishment without first securing and having a valid permit from the County Manager and any person or entity who operates an adult establishment without having a valid permit shall be subject to criminal and civil remedies as provided herein.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2024 S-15: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ordinance passed 4-22-2024; and State legislation through 2023 North Carolina Legislative Service, Pamphlet No. 6).

Full Breakdown

03. 15(D) bars transferring a permit to anyone else. 15(B). 18 sets the annual fee at $500 to help cover administration and enforcement. 19(A). 21 for a repeat suspension within 12 months, false application statements, prostitution, controlled-substance activity, or admitting minors. 05(H) ties all adult establishments to the county's separate Zoning Ordinance for special-use and location standards, which is not part of this chapter's text.

Violations & Fines

Operating an adult establishment in Davidson County without the § 113.15 permit exposes the operator to criminal and civil remedies under that section and to the general penalty at § 10.99 via § 113.99(A); each additional continuing day of the violation is a separate offense under § 113.99(D). The County Manager can also suspend a permit for up to 30 days under § 113.20 or revoke it for a year, or three years for a sexual-misconduct conviction, under § 113.21.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open an adult establishment in Davidson County without a permit?

No. Section 113.15(A) makes it unlawful to operate an adult establishment, as defined by reference to G.S. § 14-202.10, without first securing a valid permit from the County Manager, subject to both criminal and civil remedies.

How much does the adult establishment permit cost, and how long does it last?

Section 113.18 sets the fee at $500 per year, and § 113.19(A) makes each permit expire one year after issuance, with renewal applications due at least 30 days before the expiration date.

Does the county's adult-business rule apply inside Lexington or Thomasville?

Not automatically. Section 113.03 limits the chapter to Davidson County outside any municipality, unless a town's own governing board adopts the chapter by resolution for its jurisdiction.

Can the county take away an adult establishment permit?

Yes. Section 113.20 lets the County Manager suspend a permit up to 30 days for chapter violations or refusing an inspection, and § 113.21 requires revocation for repeat suspensions, prostitution, controlled substances, false statements, or admitting minors.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Davidson County

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All Davidson County rules

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