{ "batch": "231-virginia-adult-business-licensing-and-zoning", "articles": [ { "id": "learn_r231_virginia_adult_business_licensing_and_zoning_va_state_code_index_no_adult_entertainment_definition", "category": "Business", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Virginia Code of Virginia: Rules.content", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Virginia's Code of Virginia contains no statutory definition of 'adult entertainment establishment' or 'sexually oriented business' anywhere in its indexed code.", "body": "Virginia's Code of Virginia contains no statutory definition of 'adult entertainment establishment' or 'sexually oriented business' anywhere in its indexed code.\n\nWhat Virginia General Assembly / Division of Legislative Automated Systems actually says:\n\n“NO MATCH in Virginia's code index for 'adult entertainment establishment definition sexually oriented business' (1 chapters/sections indexed from 1 pages).”\n\nNote: Searched Virginia's official code index (law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode) for 'adult entertainment establishment definition sexually oriented business'. Returned NO MATCH. Also searched 'sexual oriented business', 'adult theater', 'obscenity', 'indecent erotic entertainment' — all returned NO MATCH. The Code of Virginia index does not expose these terms. This absence from the index is evidence the term may not exist in Virginia code, but the index search is not a full-text search of every section — a statute could exist under different wording. Searched 2026-09-24.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode", "last_verified": "2026-09-24", "reliability": "CREATOR STRATEGY", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Virginia General Assembly / Division of Legislative Automated Systems", "evidence_quote": "NO MATCH in Virginia's code index for 'adult entertainment establishment definition sexually oriented business' (1 chapters/sections indexed from 1 pages).", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "231-virginia-adult-business-licensing-and-zoning", "subject": "Virginia Code of Virginia", "topic": "Rules.content", "applies_to_country": "*", "applies_to_scope": "Virginia", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "choosing", "region": [ "us-va" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content" ], "explicitness": "any" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r231_virginia_adult_business_licensing_and_zoning_va_state_statute_18_2_372_obscene_definition", "category": "Business", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Code of Virginia § 18.2-372: Rules.content", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Virginia defines 'obscene' for criminal law purposes but this definition does not create a category of 'adult business' or 'adult entertainment establishment' for licensing or zoning.", "body": "Virginia defines 'obscene' for criminal law purposes but this definition does not create a category of 'adult business' or 'adult entertainment establishment' for licensing or zoning.\n\nWhat Virginia General Assembly / Division of Legislative Automated Systems actually says:\n\n“§ 18.2-372. \"Obscene\" defined. The word \"obscene\" where it appears in this article shall mean that which, considered as a whole, has as its dominant theme or purpose an appeal to the prurient interest in sex, that is, a shameful or morbid interest in nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, excretory functions or products thereof or sadomasochistic abuse, and which goes substantially beyond customary limits of candor in description or representation of such matters and which, taken as a whole, does not have serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.”\n\nNote: Opened and read § 18.2-372 on law.lis.virginia.gov. This is a criminal obscenity definition under Article 5 of Chapter 8 (Crimes Involving Morals and Decency). It does not define 'adult entertainment establishment' or 'sexually oriented business' and creates no licensing or zoning framework.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title18.2/section18.2-372/", "last_verified": "2026-09-24", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Virginia General Assembly / Division of Legislative Automated Systems", "evidence_quote": "§ 18.2-372. \"Obscene\" defined. The word \"obscene\" where it appears in this article shall mean that which, considered as a whole, has as its dominant theme or purpose an appeal to the prurient interest in sex, that is, a shameful or morbid interest in nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, excretory functions or products thereof or sadomasochistic abuse, and which goes substantially beyond customary limits of candor in description or representation of such matters and which, taken as a whole, does not have serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "231-virginia-adult-business-licensing-and-zoning", "subject": "Code of Virginia § 18.2-372", "topic": "Rules.content", "applies_to_country": "*", "applies_to_scope": "Virginia", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "running", "region": [ "us-va" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content", "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "any" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r231_virginia_adult_business_licensing_and_zoning_va_state_statute_18_2_375_obscene_exhibitions", "category": "Business", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Code of Virginia § 18.2-375: Rules.content", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Virginia prohibits obscene exhibitions and performances and regulates ownership/management of venues where such exhibitions occur, but this statute targets obscene content, not 'adult businesses' as a class.", "body": "Virginia prohibits obscene exhibitions and performances and regulates ownership/management of venues where such exhibitions occur, but this statute targets obscene content, not 'adult businesses' as a class.\n\nWhat Virginia General Assembly / Division of Legislative Automated Systems actually says:\n\n“§ 18.2-375. Obscene exhibitions and performances. It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to: (1) Produce, promote, prepare, present, manage, direct, carry on or participate in, any obscene exhibitions or performances, including the exhibition or performance of any obscene motion picture, play, drama, show, entertainment, exposition, tableau or scene; provided, that no employee of any person or legal entity operating a theatre, garden, building, structure, room or place which presents such obscene exhibition or performance shall be subject to prosecution under this section if the employee is not the manager of the theatre or an officer of such entity, and has no financial interest in such theatre other than receiving salary and wages; or (2) Own, lease or manage any theatre, garden, building, structure, room or place and lease, let, lend or permit such theatre, garden, building, structure, room or place to be used for the purpose of presenting such obscene exhibition or performance or to fail to post prominently therein the name and address of a person resident in the locality who is the manager of such theatre, garden, building, structure, room or place.”\n\nNote: Opened and read § 18.2-375 on law.lis.virginia.gov. This statute criminalizes obscene exhibitions and regulates venue managers but does not define 'adult entertainment establishment' or create a licensing scheme for adult businesses. It targets obscene content as defined in § 18.2-372.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title18.2/chapter8/section18.2-375/", "last_verified": "2026-09-24", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Virginia General Assembly / Division of Legislative Automated Systems", "evidence_quote": "§ 18.2-375. Obscene exhibitions and performances. It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to: (1) Produce, promote, prepare, present, manage, direct, carry on or participate in, any obscene exhibitions or performances, including the exhibition or performance of any obscene motion picture, play, drama, show, entertainment, exposition, tableau or scene; provided, that no employee of any person or legal entity operating a theatre, garden, building, structure, room or place which presents such obscene exhibition or performance shall be subject to prosecution under this section if the employee is not the manager of the theatre or an officer of such entity, and has no financial interest in such theatre other than receiving salary and wages; or (2) Own, lease or manage any theatre, garden, building, structure, room or place and lease, let, lend or permit such theatre, garden, building, structure, room or place to be used for the purpose of presenting such obscene exhibition or performance or to fail to post prominently therein the name and address of a person resident in the locality who is the manager of such theatre, garden, building, structure, room or place.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "231-virginia-adult-business-licensing-and-zoning", "subject": "Code of Virginia § 18.2-375", "topic": "Rules.content", "applies_to_country": "*", "applies_to_scope": "Virginia", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "running", "region": [ "us-va" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content", "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "any" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r231_virginia_adult_business_licensing_and_zoning_va_state_statute_15_2_2280_zoning_authority", "category": "Business", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Code of Virginia § 15.2-2280: Rules.content", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Virginia grants localities broad authority to classify territory into zoning districts and regulate land uses, but the state statute does not enumerate 'adult' uses or require any adult-business zoning classification.", "body": "Virginia grants localities broad authority to classify territory into zoning districts and regulate land uses, but the state statute does not enumerate 'adult' uses or require any adult-business zoning classification.\n\nWhat Virginia General Assembly / Division of Legislative Automated Systems actually says:\n\n“§ 15.2-2280. Zoning ordinances generally. Any locality may, by ordinance, classify the territory under its jurisdiction or any substantial portion thereof into districts of such number, shape and size as it may deem best suited to carry out the purposes of this article, and in each district it may regulate, restrict, permit, prohibit, and determine the following: 1. The use of land, buildings, structures and other premises for agricultural, business, industrial, residential, flood plain and other specific uses; 2. The size, height, area, bulk, location, erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, maintenance, razing, or removal of structures; 3. The areas and dimensions of land, water, and air space to be occupied by buildings, structures and uses, and of courts, yards, and other open spaces to be left unoccupied by uses and structures, including variations in the sizes of lots based on whether a public or community water supply or sewer system is available and used; or 4. The excavation or mining of soil or other natural resources.”\n\nNote: Opened and read § 15.2-2280 on law.lis.virginia.gov. This statute grants localities zoning authority but does not list 'adult entertainment' or 'sexually oriented business' as a specific use category. The state does not mandate any adult-use zoning classification.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title15.2/chapter22/section15.2-2280/", "last_verified": "2026-09-24", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Virginia General Assembly / Division of Legislative Automated Systems", "evidence_quote": "§ 15.2-2280. Zoning ordinances generally. Any locality may, by ordinance, classify the territory under its jurisdiction or any substantial portion thereof into districts of such number, shape and size as it may deem best suited to carry out the purposes of this article, and in each district it may regulate, restrict, permit, prohibit, and determine the following: 1. The use of land, buildings, structures and other premises for agricultural, business, industrial, residential, flood plain and other specific uses; 2. The size, height, area, bulk, location, erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, maintenance, razing, or removal of structures; 3. The areas and dimensions of land, water, and air space to be occupied by buildings, structures and uses, and of courts, yards, and other open spaces to be left unoccupied by uses and structures, including variations in the sizes of lots based on whether a public or community water supply or sewer system is available and used; or 4. The excavation or mining of soil or other natural resources.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "231-virginia-adult-business-licensing-and-zoning", "subject": "Code of Virginia § 15.2-2280", "topic": "Rules.content", "applies_to_country": "*", "applies_to_scope": "Virginia", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "running", "region": [ "us-va" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content", "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "any" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r231_virginia_adult_business_licensing_and_zoning_va_state_statute_15_2_2283_1_sexual_offender_treatment_office", "category": "Business", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Code of Virginia § 15.2-2283.1: Rules.content", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Virginia state zoning law includes one specific provision prohibiting sexual offender treatment offices in residentially zoned subdivisions, but this is not about adult entertainment businesses or content production.", "body": "Virginia state zoning law includes one specific provision prohibiting sexual offender treatment offices in residentially zoned subdivisions, but this is not about adult entertainment businesses or content production.\n\nWhat Virginia General Assembly / Division of Legislative Automated Systems actually says:\n\n“§ 15.2-2283.1. Prohibition of sexual offender treatment office in residentially zoned subdivision.”\n\nNote: Opened and read § 15.2-2283.1 on law.lis.virginia.gov. This is the only 'adult'-adjacent zoning provision found in Virginia's state zoning code. It prohibits sexual offender treatment offices in residentially zoned subdivisions — it does not address adult entertainment, adult content production, or sexually oriented businesses.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title15.2/chapter22/section15.2-2283.1/", "last_verified": "2026-09-24", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Virginia General Assembly / Division of Legislative Automated Systems", "evidence_quote": "§ 15.2-2283.1. Prohibition of sexual offender treatment office in residentially zoned subdivision.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "231-virginia-adult-business-licensing-and-zoning", "subject": "Code of Virginia § 15.2-2283.1", "topic": "Rules.content", "applies_to_country": "*", "applies_to_scope": "Virginia", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "running", "region": [ "us-va" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content", "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "any" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r231_virginia_adult_business_licensing_and_zoning_va_state_code_index_search_methodology", "category": "Business", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Virginia Code of Virginia: Rules.content", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] The Virginia Code of Virginia index (law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode) was searched for 'adult entertainment establishment', 'sexually oriented business', 'adult theater', 'nude dance', 'obscenity', and 'sexual oriented business'; every search returned NO MATCH, indicating Virginia has no statute defining or licensing adult entertainment establishments at the state level.", "body": "The Virginia Code of Virginia index (law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode) was searched for 'adult entertainment establishment', 'sexually oriented business', 'adult theater', 'nude dance', 'obscenity', and 'sexual oriented business'; every search returned NO MATCH, indicating Virginia has no statute defining or licensing adult entertainment establishments at the state level.\n\nWhat Virginia General Assembly / Division of Legislative Automated Systems actually says:\n\n“NO MATCH in Virginia's code index for 'adult entertainment establishment definition sexually oriented business' (1 chapters/sections indexed from 1 pages). Either the words differ from the code's own wording -- try a synonym, e.g. 'persona' for 'right of publicity', 'obscenity' for 'indecent' -- or this state genuinely has no such provision, which is a could_not_verify with the index as the evidence of the search.”\n\nNote: Searches conducted on law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode search tool (lawsource_law_search_code): 'adult entertainment establishment definition sexually oriented business', 'sexual oriented business', 'adult theater', 'nude dance', 'obscenity', 'indecent erotic entertainment'. All returned NO MATCH. The index returns 1 chapter/section for each query, which is the generic chapter header. This is an index search, not a full-text search of every section — a statute could exist under different wording. The state's own tool confirms these terms are not in its index. Searched 2026-09-24.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode", "last_verified": "2026-09-24", "reliability": "CREATOR STRATEGY", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Virginia General Assembly / Division of Legislative Automated Systems", "evidence_quote": "NO MATCH in Virginia's code index for 'adult entertainment establishment definition sexually oriented business' (1 chapters/sections indexed from 1 pages). Either the words differ from the code's own wording -- try a synonym, e.g. 'persona' for 'right of publicity', 'obscenity' for 'indecent' -- or this state genuinely has no such provision, which is a could_not_verify with the index as the evidence of the search.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "231-virginia-adult-business-licensing-and-zoning", "subject": "Virginia Code of Virginia", "topic": "Rules.content", "applies_to_country": "*", "applies_to_scope": "Virginia", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "choosing", "region": [ "us-va" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content", "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "any" }, "verification": { "status": "failed", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "quote_is_nonanswer", "strong_label_on_weak_content" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } } ] }