Chapter 10 AMUSEMENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Plain English: what this part covers
This chapter covers two kinds of businesses. Article II regulates adult entertainment businesses (strip clubs, adult bookstores and theaters, and similar) — where they can locate, their hours, permits for owners and workers, and a ban on alcohol. Article III sets licensing and operating rules for pool rooms, game rooms, billiard halls and internet cafes, including hours, rules for minors, and a ban on gambling.
- Adult business buffer: 1,000 feet from homes-zoned land, churches, schools, parks, day cares, alcohol licensees and other adult businesses (10-39)
- Adult business hours: closed 2:00–9:00 a.m. weekdays; 2:55–9:00 a.m. Saturday and Sunday (10-33(f))
- Adult business application processing fee: $1,000, nonrefundable (10-41)
- Adult business employee investigation fee: $50; employees must be 18+ (10-40)
- Adult business owner must be 21+ (10-42, 10-44)
- City has up to 45 days to investigate an adult business application (10-44)
Cross reference— Businesses, ch. 22.
State Law reference— Exchange of free replay for anything of value unlawful, § 16-12-35(c); Amusement Ride Safety Act, O.C.G.A. § 34-12-1 et seq.; authority to license, tax and regulate billiard rooms, O.C.G.A. § 43-8-2; state licensing of coin-operated amusement machines, O.C.G.A. § 48-17-1 et seq.
What's in here
Questions folks ask
Can an adult business open near my house, a church or a school?
No. An adult business can't be within 1,000 feet (property line to property line) of any land zoned residential, a church, school, library, civic center, neighborhood park or playground, government building, day care, any business licensed to sell alcohol, or another adult business. It also can't be downtown in the central business district, and Sec. 10-39 says it must be in an adult zoning district (C-A).
What hours can adult entertainment businesses be open?
They must be closed from 2:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on weekdays and from 2:55 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Can adult entertainment businesses sell alcohol?
No. Licensed adult entertainment businesses can't sell, serve or allow drinking of liquor, beer or wine on the premises. Legitimate plays, operas and ballets at mainstream theaters and similar venues are excepted.
Can minors go into an adult business?
No. Nobody under 18 may be admitted, employed as a dancer, or sold anything from an adult business.
What does it cost to apply to run an adult business, and who can work there?
The owner pays a $1,000 nonrefundable processing fee and must be at least 21. Every worker must be 18 or older, of 'good moral character' (no drug- or alcohol-related felony or sex-related crime in five years), and file a notice with the city plus a $50 investigation fee before starting.
Do I need a license to open a pool hall, game room or internet cafe?
Yes. Applicants must be 18 or older and apply at the business license office. Police investigate, and no license goes to anyone with an ownership interest who had a felony conviction or no-contest plea in the past five years.
Can teenagers play pool at a place that serves alcohol?
Not while alcohol is being sold, served or consumed unless they're with a parent or guardian. Anyone who looks under 18 has to show ID.
Are gambling machines or betting allowed in game rooms?
No. No gambling, betting pools, or posting of sporting event results. Alcohol isn't allowed unless the business holds an alcohol license.
Do church, YMCA or club pool tables need a license?
No. The pool room rules don't apply to tables run by private industrial concerns, the YMCA, religious orders, charities, government institutions, fraternal orders, or bona fide clubs for members or employees only.
This is a plain-English guide, not legal advice. The official code is on Municode and at City Hall. Our copy is from April 30, 2026.
Online: https://jamesburgessleads.com/city-code/PTIICOOR_CH10AMEN
Official version: https://library.municode.com/GA/Ashburn/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH10AMEN
Paid for by James Burgess