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Sex shop licensing
If you're running a business that involves selling, hiring, exchanging, lending, displaying or demonstrating sex articles, you need a Sex Shop Licence. This applies to premises, vehicles, vessels or stalls where this makes up a significant part of the business.
What counts as a sex article
A sex article is:
- anything intended for use in connection with, or for the purpose of, stimulating or encouraging sexual activity or acts of force or restraint associated with sexual activity
- anything containing or embodying material to be read or looked at, or anything intended to reproduce or manufacture such material
- any video or audio recording that primarily portrays, deals with or relates to sexual activity or acts of force or restraint associated with sexual activity, or genital organs, or urinary or excretory functions
Items manufactured mainly for birth control, or primarily relating to birth control, are exempt.
Related resources
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Sex Shop Application Form
This document contains an application form for granting or renewing a sex shop licence from Orkney Islands Council. It asks for details about the applicant or company, managers, premises, opening hours, criminal convictions and any previous licence applications. Applicants must declare that the information is correct, display a public notice for 21 days where required, and sign the form. The completed form must be submitted to Legal Services with the appropriate fee and documents.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
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Sex Shop Guidance Notes
This document contains guidance on applying for a sex shop licence from Orkney Islands Council under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. It explains who can apply, what counts as a sex shop, required forms, fees, plans, public notices and application deadlines. It also covers licence conditions, duration, changes to premises, objections, appeals and reasons an application may be refused. Operating without a licence, breaking conditions, admitting under-18s or giving false information can lead to a fine.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
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Sex Shop Conditions
This document contains the conditions for a sex shop licence under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. It sets opening hours, restricts entry and employment to people aged 18 or over, and limits signs visible from outside. It also requires a named licence holder or manager to be present, allows authorised officers access, requires the licence to be displayed, and covers door safety, good order and noise control.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
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Sex Shop Site Notice
This document contains a site notice template for an application to Orkney Islands Council for a sex shop licence under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. It provides spaces for the application date, premises, applicant and day-to-day manager. Written objections or representations must include specific details and be sent to the Head of Legal Services within 28 days, while the notice must be displayed at or near the premises for 21 days.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
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Sex Shop Compliance Certificate
This document contains a compliance notice for applicants seeking a sex shop licence under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. It confirms that a site notice was displayed for 21 days, or explains why this was not possible, including any steps taken if the notice was removed or damaged. The completed form must be signed and returned to the Head of Legal Services at Orkney Islands Council.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.