Adult Entertainment: Austin vs Pflugerville
How do adult entertainment rules compare between Austin, TX and Pflugerville, TX?
Austin and Pflugerville have similar restriction levels.
Austin, TX
Travis County
Austin City Code Chapter 4-13 licenses sexually oriented businesses, requiring annual permits, distance buffers from schools, churches, parks, and residential zones, no-touch performer rules, and operator background checks; violations are class C misdemeanors enforced by APD vice.
View full Austin rules →Pflugerville, TX
Travis County
Travis County regulates adult-oriented businesses in unincorporated areas through state law and county location restrictions, requiring sexually oriented business permits, age 21 staff, and minimum distance from schools, churches, and homes.
View full Pflugerville rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Austin | Pflugerville |
|---|---|---|
| Local ordinance | Austin Code Ch. 4-13 | - |
| Distance buffer | 1,000 feet from sensitive uses | - |
| Performer rule | Six-foot no-touch buffer | - |
| Licensing agency | Austin Police Department | - |
| State fee | $5 per customer admission | $5 per customer |
| Minimum age | - | 21 years old |
| Buffer distance | - | 1,000 feet typical |
| Authority | - | TX Local Govt Ch. 243 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Austin FAQ
Where can a sexually oriented business open in Austin?
Only in zones permitting SOB use that also satisfy the 1,000-foot separation from schools, churches, parks, residences, and other SOBs. Most central Austin parcels are excluded by the buffer overlay.
Do dancers need their own license?
Yes. Austin Code Chapter 4-13 requires every entertainer, manager, and operator to hold an individual SOB license issued by APD, with background checks and renewal fees.
Pflugerville FAQ
Where can SOBs operate in Travis County?
Only in unincorporated commercial or industrial zones outside the 1,000-foot buffer from schools, churches, homes, and parks; Austin city limits use separate zoning rules.
Is the $5 entry fee real?
Yes. Texas charges a $5 per-customer fee at SOBs that allow nude entertainment and serve alcohol, collected by the operator and remitted to the state.
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