Business Licensing & Operations in Davidson County, NC (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Davidson County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
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.
Davidson County Adult Establishment Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsDavidson County Code of Ordinances § 113.15(A)
(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 provi...
Massage Establishments
Davidson County requires anyone operating a massage business to hold a $100 annual privilege license under § 111.11 before opening. The County Clerk routes every application through the Sheriff's Department, Inspections, and the Fire Department for background and code checks, and the Board of Commissioners can deny or revoke it for sexual-misconduct convictions or code violations.
Davidson County Massage Business License Rule
Significant RestrictionsDavidson County Code of Ordinances § 111.11(A), (E)
(A) No person, partnership, corporation, or association shall operate a massage business as herein defined unless such person, partnership, corporation or association shall have first applied for and received the privilege license provided by this section. ... (E) Upon approval of the application by the Board, and upon the receipt of a $100 license fee, the Tax Collector shall issue a privilege...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair is not a by-right use anywhere in unincorporated Davidson County; the Table of Permitted Uses marks it 'D,' meaning it is allowed only after the operator demonstrates compliance with a development standard. The one standard the ordinance sets: open storage of wrecked vehicles is prohibited outright.
Davidson County Auto Repair Use Standard
Significant RestrictionsDavidson County Zoning Ordinance, § VI.1(N); Art. III Table of Permitted Uses; Art. IX Definitions ('Service Station')
(N) Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair. Open storage of wrecked vehicles is not permitted. ... Districts in which a particular use is permitted upon demonstrating compliance with specific development standards are indicated by "D." ... SERVICE STATION. ... An establishment where gasoline and/or diesel fuel is supplied and dispersed at retail and where, in addition, the following services may ...
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