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Chapter 9.40 — Sex-Oriented Business Regulations

Arcata Zoning Code · 2026-07 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Arcata

9.40.010 Purpose

The Council finds that sex-oriented businesses have objectionable operational characteristics and effects on adjacent areas, particularly when located in close proximity to each other, located in the vicinity of facilities frequented by minors, and when located in close proximity to residentially zoned property and other incompatible uses. Special regulation of these businesses is necessary to insure that these adverse effects will not contribute to the blighting or downgrading of the surrounding neighborhoods. The primary purpose of these regulations is to preserve the public health, safety and welfare of the citizenry.

9.40.020 Permit Requirements

Sex-oriented businesses may be established only in those zoning districts listed in Table 2-10, "Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Commercial, Industrial, and Public Facility Zoning Districts." Sex-oriented businesses shall only be allowed with an approved Use Permit in conformance with Section 9.72.080 (Use Permit and Minor Use Permit).

9.40.030 Specific Regulations

The following specific regulations apply to sex-oriented businesses.

A. Specified distance separation requirements. Notwithstanding Section 9.40.020, no sex-oriented business shall be established or located:

  1. Within a 300-foot radius from any existing residential zoning district;

  2. Within 500 feet of any other sex-oriented business as defined in the glossary which is located either inside or outside the jurisdiction of the City; or

  3. Within 500 feet from any existing park, playground, religious facility, or school.

The distance between a proposed sex-oriented business use and each of the facilities or areas specified in 1 through 3 above shall be measured from property line to property line.

B. No outside display. Sex-oriented businesses shall not display or exhibit any material depicting specified anatomical areas or specified sexual activities in a manner which exposes the material to the view of persons outside the building in which the sex-oriented business is located.

C. No parking lot loitering or alcoholic beverage consumption. No loitering or consumption of alcoholic beverages shall be allowed in sex-oriented entertainment businesses parking lots. Parking lots shall contain signage stating that loitering and consumption of alcoholic beverages are prohibited in parking lots.

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▸ Contents — Arcata Zoning Code
Arcata Zoning Code
  1. Article 1 — Land Use Code Applicability
  2. Article 2
  3. Article 3 — Site Planning and Project Design Standards Revised…
  4. Article 4 — Standards for Specific Land Uses
  5. Article 5 — Resource Management
  6. Article 6 — Site Development Regulations
  7. Article 7 — Planning Permit Procedures
  8. Article 8
  9. Article 9 — Land Use Code Administration
  10. Article 10 — Glossary Revised 5/25
  11. Chapter 9.10 — Purpose and Applicability of Land Use Code
  12. Chapter 9.12 — Zoning Map
  13. Chapter 9.20 — Development and Land Use Approval Requirements
  14. Chapter 9.22 — Agricultural and Resource Zoning Districts
  15. Chapter 9.24 — Residential Zoning Districts
  16. Chapter 9.26 — Commercial, Industrial, and Public Facility Zon…
  17. Chapter 9.28 — Combining Zones
  18. Chapter 9.30 — Standards for All Development and Land Uses
  19. Chapter 9.31 — Density Bonuses Revised 5/25
  20. Chapter 9.32 — Inclusionary Zoning Revised 5/25
  21. Chapter 9.34 — Landscaping Standards
  22. Chapter 9.36 — Parking and Loading
  23. Chapter 9.38 — Signs
  24. Chapter 9.40 — Sex-Oriented Business Regulations
  25. Chapter 9.42 — Standards for Specific Land Uses
  26. Chapter 9.44 — Telecommunications Facilities
  27. Chapter 9.50 — Agricultural Preservation - Right-to-Farm
  28. Chapter 9.52 — Hillside Development
  29. Chapter 9.53 — Historic Resource Preservation
  30. Chapter 9.54 — Resource Conservation
  31. Chapter 9.56 — Solar Siting and Solar Access
  32. Chapter 9.58
  33. Chapter 9.59
  34. Chapter 9.60
  35. Chapter 9.62 — Geologic Hazard Review
  36. Chapter 9.64 — Grading, Erosion, and Sediment Control
  37. Chapter 9.66 — Urban Runoff Pollution Control
  38. Chapter 9.70 — Permit Application Filing and Processing
  39. Chapter 9.72 — Permit Approval or Disapproval
  40. Chapter 9.74 — Public Hearings
  41. Chapter 9.76 — Appeals
  42. Chapter 9.78 — Environmental Impact Assessment
  43. Chapter 9.79
  44. Chapter 9.80 — Applicability and Administration of Subdivision…
  45. Chapter 9.81 — Tentative Map Filing and Processing
  46. Chapter 9.82 — Parcel Maps and Final Maps
  47. Chapter 9.84 — Additional Subdivision Procedures Revised 5/25
  48. Chapter 9.86 — Dedications and Exactions
  49. Chapter 9.88 — Subdivision Design and Improvement Requirements
  50. Chapter 9.90
  51. Chapter 9.92 — Amendments
  52. Chapter 9.94 — Growth Management
  53. Chapter 9.96 — Enforcement and Penalties
  54. Chapter 9.100 — Definitions Revised 5/25
  55. Chapter 9.110 — Gateway Area Districts

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