Morgan Hill Municipal Code Ch. 5.32 Massage Establishments and Massage Professionals Permit Requirements

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 2366, § 1, adopted June 4, 2025, amended Ch. 5.32 in its entirety to read as herein set out. Former Ch. 5.32, §§ 5.32.010—5.32.200, pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. No. 2354 N.S., adopted May 15, 2024.

In enacting this chapter, the city council recognizes that massage therapy is a professional pursuit which can offer the public valuable health and therapeutic services, but that unless properly regulated, the practice of massage therapy and the operation of massage businesses may be associated with unlawful activity and pose a threat to the quality of life in the local community. It is the purpose and intent of this chapter to provide for the orderly regulation of offices and establishments providing massage therapy services, and to prevent and discourage the misuse of massage therapy as a front for human trafficking, prostitution, and related activities in violation of state law, all in the interests of the public health, safety, and welfare, by providing certain minimum building, sanitation, and operation standards for such businesses, and by requiring certain minimum qualifications for the operators and practitioners of such businesses. It is the further intent of this chapter to streamline local massage therapy permitting procedures, while still facilitating and advancing the ethical practice of massage therapy, by relying upon the uniform statewide regulations enacted by the Legislature in 2008 as Business and Professions Code Sections 4600 et seq., known as the Massage Therapy Act, as subsequently amended, and by restricting the commercial practice of massage in the city to those persons duly certified to practice by the California Massage Therapy Council formed pursuant to those statutes.

(Ord. No. 2366, § 1, 6-4-2025)

For the purpose of this chapter, unless the context clearly requires a different meaning, the words, terms, and phrases set forth in this section shall have the meanings that are given them in this section:

(a) "Authorized massage professional" means a massage professional who is identified in a permit issued pursuant to this chapter as a person employed or retained by a massage establishment to practice massage.

(b) "California Massage Therapy Council" or "CAMTC" means the massage therapy organization formed pursuant to Business and Professions Code Section 4600 et seq.

(c) "CAMTC-certified massage professional" means any individual currently certified by the California Massage Therapy Council as a massage therapist or massage practitioner pursuant to Business and Professions Code Section 4600 et seq.

(d) "City manager" means the city manager of the City of Morgan Hill or his or her designee.

(e) "Compensation" means the payment, loan, advance, donation, contribution, deposit, exchange, or gift of money or anything of value.

(f) "Employee" means any person employed by a massage business who may render any service to the business, and who receives any form of compensation from the business, including, but not limited to, an independent contractor.

(g) "Hearing officer" means the individual designated to hear an appeal.

(h) "Inspector" means the person or persons designated by the city to conduct any inspections required or permitted under this chapter.

(i) "Massage," "massage therapy," and/or "bodywork" for purposes of this chapter mean the skillful application of touch, including, but not limited to, pressure, stroking, kneading, compression on or movement of the external surfaces of the body by a practitioner to produce increased awareness, relaxation, pain relief, injury rehabilitation, or neuromuscular reeducation.

(j) "Massage establishment" means any business that offers massage therapy, baths or health treatments including, but not limited to, aromatherapy, vapor, shower, electric tub, sponge, hot towels, mineral fermentation, sauna, steam or any other type of bath, involving massages or baths in exchange for compensation. Home-based massage businesses and businesses that provide outcall massage services are also considered to be massage establishments. For purposes of this chapter, the term "massage establishment" may be applied to include establishments which offer or advertise themselves as providing "relaxation" or "tanning" where the essential nature of the interaction between the employee and the customer involves "massage" as defined herein. The terms, names or phrases listed on business license or fictitious name application forms are not necessarily conclusive as to the nature of the business.

(k) "Massage establishment permit" means a permit to operate a "Massage establishment" as provided in this chapter.

(l) "Operator" or "massage establishment operator" means any person who is an owner or manager of a massage establishment.

(m) "Outcall massage service" means the engaging in or carrying on of massage therapy for compensation at locations other than a massage establishment at a fixed location.

(n) "Owner" or "massage establishment owner" means any of the following persons:

(1) The sole proprietor of a sole proprietorship operating a massage establishment.

(2) Any general partner of a general or limited partnership that owns a massage establishment.

(3) Any person who has a ten percent or greater ownership interest in a corporation that owns a massage establishment.

(4) Any person who is a member of a limited liability company that owns a massage establishment.

(5) All owners of any other type of business association that owns a massage establishment.

(o) "Patron" means an individual on the premises of a massage establishment for the purpose of receiving massage therapy.

(p) "Person" means any individual, firm, association, partnership, corporation, joint venture, limited liability company, or combination of individuals.

(q) "Police chief" means the chief of police of the City of Morgan Hill or his or her designee charged with the administration of this chapter.

(r) "Reception and waiting area" means an area immediately inside the main entry door of the massage establishment dedicated to the reception and waiting of patrons or visitors of the massage establishment and which is not a massage therapy room or otherwise used for the provision of massage therapy services.

(s) "Sole proprietorship" means a massage establishment where the owner owns one hundred percent of the business and has one or no other employees or independent contractors.

(t) "Visitor" means any individual not retained or employed by the massage establishment and not receiving or waiting to receive massage therapy services, but excluding law enforcement personnel or governmental officials performing governmental business.

(Ord. No. 2366, § 1, 6-4-2025)

The requirements of this chapter are in addition to any business license and business license tax requirements imposed pursuant to Chapter 5.04 of this code.

(Ord. No. 2366, § 1, 6-4-2025)

The requirements of this chapter are in addition to any permits or authorizations that may be required under other applicable laws including, but not limited to, the city's building, fire, zoning, and health regulations.

(Ord. No. 2366, § 1, 6-4-2025)

This chapter shall not apply to the following classes of individuals while engaged in the performance of the duties of their respective professions:

(a) Physicians, surgeons, chiropractors, osteopaths, podiatrists, physical therapists, nurses, acupuncturists or any other person licensed to practice any healing art under the provisions of Division 2 (commencing with Section 500) of the Business and Professions Code when engaging in such practice within the scope of his or her license and persons working directly under the supervision of or at the direction of such licensed persons, working at the same location as the licensed person, and administering massage services subject to review or oversight by the licensed person.

(b) Trainers of any amateur, semi-professional, or professional athlete or athletic team, so long as such persons do not practice massage therapy as their primary occupation at any location where they provide such services in the city.

(c) Barbers, estheticians, and cosmetologists who are duly licensed under the laws of the State of California, while engaging in practices within the scope of their licenses.

(d) Individuals administering massages or health treatments involving massage to persons participating in single-occurrence athletic, recreational, or educational events such as road races, track meets, triathlons, educational events, or conferences, provided that the event is open to the public or to a significant segment of the public such as employees of sponsoring or participating corporations, and the massage services are provided at the site of the event during, immediately preceding, or immediately following the event.

(e) Somatic practitioners who use no physical touch of any kind at any time in their practice.

(f) Enrolled students of a school of massage when they are performing massage within the city as part of a formal supervised internship or training program operated by the school, without compensation other than school credit, on the premises of a massage establishment duly authorized to operate pursuant to the terms of this chapter; and provided that the operator of the massage establishment has first notified the police chief in writing of the name, residence address, and school of the students and the dates of the trainings.

(Ord. No. 2366, § 1, 6-4-2025)

It shall be unlawful for any individual to practice massage therapy for compensation within the city unless that individual is a CAMTC-certified massage professional. The massage establishment operator or owner must report to the City any investigation being conducted by the CAMTC or any criminal charges of any owner, operator, or employee, or the suspension of a CAMTC license of any owner, operator, or employee within two business days of the notification by CAMTC or within two business days of the criminal charges.

(Ord. No. 2366, § 1, 6-4-2025)

(a) It is unlawful for any person to operate a massage establishment within the city without first obtaining a massage establishment permit from the police department of the City of Morgan Hill.

(b) It shall be unlawful for a massage establishment operator to employ or retain any person to practice massage therapy for compensation, or to allow any person to perform massage therapy for compensation on the premises of a massage establishment, unless that person is a CAMTC-certified massage professional and unless that person is identified as an authorized massage professional on the permit issued pursuant to this chapter. For purposes of this chapter, a massage establishment operator "employs or retains" a person to practice massage therapy for compensation when:

(1) That person is a directly paid employee of the massage establishment; or

(2) That person's association with a massage establishment is that of an independent contractor who receives compensation for massage therapy provided to patrons of the massage establishment; or

(3) That person receives a referral of patrons from the massage establishment and, at any time before or after the referral, arranges in any way for compensation to flow to the massage establishment operator.

(c) It is unlawful for a massage establishment to operate under any name or conduct business under any designation not specified in the massage establishment permit issued pursuant to this chapter.

(d) It is unlawful for a massage establishment to continue to operate following the sale or transfer of any interest in the massage establishment to a person who was not identified as an owner in the massage establishment permit application.

(Ord. No. 2366, § 1, 6-4-2025)

1. The owners of the massage establishment shall file an application for a permit on a form provided by the police chief. The applicant must be the owner of the massage establishment. The application shall be accompanied by the non-refundable fee established by the city's fee schedule. Any change in ownership or location requires a new application. The application shall include the following information:

(a) The name, address, and telephone number of the massage establishment. It shall be the responsibility of each owner or operator to notify the city of any intention to rename, change management, or convey the business to another person within seven days of the change.

(b) The name, date of birth, residence address and telephone number, and business address and telephone number of each owner of the massage establishment.

(c) The form of business under which the applicant will be conducting the massage establishment, i.e. corporation, general or limited partnership, limited liability company, or other form and the state of formation. If the applicant is a corporation, the name of the corporation shall be set forth exactly as shown in its articles of incorporation, together with the names and residence addresses of each of its officers, directors, and each shareholder holding more than ten percent of the stock of the corporation. If the applicant is a general or limited partnership, the application shall set forth the name and residence address of each of the partners, including limited partners. If one or more of the partners is a corporation, the provisions of this section pertaining to a corporate applicant shall apply. If the applicant is a limited liability company, the application shall set forth the name and residence address of each of the members. If one or more of the members is a partnership, limited liability company, or corporation, the provisions of this section pertaining to a partnership, limited liability company, or corporate applicant shall apply, as applicable.

(d) The name, address, and telephone number of the owner of the real property upon, in, or from which the certified massage establishment is to be operated. In the event the applicant is not the legal owner of the property, the application shall be accompanied by a copy of any written lease between the applicant and the property owner authorizing use of the premises for a massage establishment, or, alternatively, if there is no written lease, then a written, notarized acknowledgment from the property owner that the property owner has been advised that a massage establishment will be operated by the applicant upon, in, or from the property owner's property.

(e) If the massage establishment will be located on a property in a residential or commercial condominium or other common interest development, the applicant shall submit a notarized statement from the homeowner's association or condominium owner's association acknowledging that the association has been advised that a massage establishment will be operated by the applicant and that such use of the property is allowed by the property's covenants, codes, and restrictions.

(f) A description of the proposed massage establishment, including the type of treatments to be administered.

(g) The name and date of birth of each individual who the massage establishment employs or retains to perform massage therapy for compensation, whether on or off the massage establishment premises. It shall be the responsibility of each owner or operator to notify the city within seven days of any change in persons providing massage services and to provide copies of the state massage certification for all such persons to the city prior to such persons providing massage services.

(h) The name of each individual who is regularly employed or retained by the massage establishment to perform services on the premises other than massage therapy, and the nature of their services.

(i) For each individual who the massage establishment does or will employ or retain to perform massage therapy for compensation, whether on or off the massage establishment premises, a color copy of that individual's current certification from the CAMTC as a certified massage practitioner or certified massage therapist, and a color copy of his or her current CAMTC-issued identification card.

(j) For each owner of the massage establishment who is a CAMTC-certified massage professional, a color copy of his or her current certification from the CAMTC as a certified massage practitioner or as a certified massage therapist and a color copy of his or her current CAMTC-issued identification card.

(k) For each owner of the massage establishment who is a CAMTC-certified massage professional, the date and length of time for any CAMTC suspension.

(l) For each owner of the massage establishment who is not a CAMTC-certified massage professional, the following information:

(1) Whether any owner of the massage establishment has within the five years immediately preceding the date of application been convicted of any felony in any state.

(2) Whether any owner of the massage establishment is currently required to register under the provisions of Section 290 of the California Penal Code.

(3) The business, occupation, and employment history of each owner of the massage establishment for five years preceding the date of application, and the inclusive dates of same.

(4) One set of fingerprints to be taken at an authorized fingerprint location designated by the police chief, and any required fee for such fingerprinting shall be paid by the applicant.

(m) Provide a complete massage permit history including whether any license or permit has ever been issued to the applicant by any jurisdiction under the provisions of any ordinance or statute governing massage or somatic practice, and as to any such license or permit, the name and address of the issuing authority, the effective dates of such license or permit, whether such license or permit was ever suspended, revoked, withdrawn, or denied; and copies of any documentary materials relating to such suspension, revocation, withdrawal, or denial.

(n) Detailed diagram showing the interior floorplan of the premises and depicting all interior rooms. It shall be the responsibility of each owner or operator to notify the city within seven days of any change to the floor plan. Building Code requirements are applicable and interior changes may require a building permit.

(o) Such other information as may be required by the permit authority to determine compliance with any other eligibility requirements for issuance of the permit as specified by federal, state, or local law.

(p) A statement that within the last five years the applicant has not failed to comply with a final court order or administrative action of an investigatory agency finding a violation of applicable federal, state and local wage and hour laws, including, but not limited to, the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, the California Labor Code, and any local minimum wage ordinance or prevailing wage requirements. For purposes of this subsection, a final court order or administrative action is one as to which there is no pending appeal and the time for filing an appeal has passed.

2. Incomplete applications shall be rejected and not processed.

(Ord. No. 2366, § 1, 6-4-2025)

(a) The police chief shall issue a massage establishment permit if the applicant meets the requirements of this chapter and no grounds for denial exist under Section 5.32.110. The police chief may impose conditions on the permit consistent with this chapter and applicable law.

(b) Notice to Property Owner. If the applicant is not the record owner of the property where the massage establishment is located, the police chief may send a written notice to the property owner advising of the issuance of the permit and of the regulations applicable to the massage establishment. The police chief may also provide the property owner with copies of any other notices or communications with the applicant sent at any time before or after issuance of the permit.

(c) Term. A massage establishment permit issued pursuant to the terms of this chapter shall be valid for the fiscal year in which it is issued, and, unless suspended or revoked, must be renewed by the massage establishment operator annually so long as the massage establishment is operating within the city.

(Ord. No. 2366, § 1, 6-4-2025)

1. The police chief may deny an application for a massage establishment permit on any of the following grounds:

(a) The massage establishment, as proposed by the applicant, would not comply with the requirements of this chapter.

(b) The massage establishment, as proposed by the applicant, would not comply with any applicable law, including, but not limited to, the city's building, fire, zoning, and health regulations.

(c) The applicant has knowingly made any false, misleading or fraudulent statement of material fact in the application for a massage establishment permit. Any omission or falsified information within the application will result in an automatic denial.

(d) Any owner of the massage establishment, within five years immediately preceding the date of filing of the application, has been convicted in a court of competent jurisdiction of any offense that relates directly to the operation of a massage establishment whether as a massage establishment owner or operator or as a person practicing massage for compensation, or as an employee of either; or has at any time been convicted in a court of competent jurisdiction of any felony the commission of which occurred on the premises of a massage establishment.

(e) Any owner of the massage establishment is currently required to register under the provisions of Section 290 of the California Penal Code.

(f) Any owner of the massage establishment, within five years of the date of application, has been convicted in a court of competent jurisdiction of any violation of Sections 266, 266a, 266e, 266f, 266g, 266h, 266i, 266j, 315, 316, 318, 647(b), or 653.22 of the California Penal Code, or conspiracy or attempt to commit any such offense, or any offense in a jurisdiction outside of the State of California that is the equivalent of any of the aforesaid offenses.

(g) Any owner of the massage establishment has been subjected to a permanent injunction against the conducting or maintaining of a nuisance pursuant to Sections 11225 through 11235 of the California Penal Code, or any similar provision of law in a jurisdiction outside the State of California.

(h) Any owner of the massage establishment, within five years of the date of application, and as established by a preponderance of the evidence, which may include evidence of a prior arrest, has engaged in acts prohibited under California Penal Code Sections 266, 266a, 266e, 266f, 266g, 266h, 266i, 266j, 315, 316, 318, 647(b), or 653.22.

(i) Any owner of the massage establishment is an individual who has not attained the age of eighteen years.

(j) Any owner of the massage establishment, within five years immediately preceding the date of filing of the application, has had a permit or license to practice massage for compensation or to own and/or operate a massage establishment revoked or denied in any jurisdiction, including by the CAMTC.

(k) Any owner of the massage establishment currently owns or operates a massage establishment in the city of Morgan Hill that is not in good standing due to the existence of uncorrected violations or unpaid fines or fees.

(l) Within the last five years, the applicant has failed to comply with a final court order or administrative action of an investigatory agency finding a violation of applicable federal, state and local wage and hour laws, including, but not limited to, the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, the California Labor Code, and any local minimum wage ordinance or prevailing wage requirements. For purposes of this subsection, a final court order or administrative action is one as to which there is no pending appeal and the time for filing an appeal has passed.

(m) The massage establishment was operated within the city without first obtaining a massage establishment permit from the police department of the City of Morgan Hill

2. The city shall not accept an application for the same or substantially similar massage establishment permit for the same site for a period of twelve months following the denial of a permit, or the date the denial was upheld, whichever is later.

3. The notices provided to the massage establishment pursuant to this section may also be sent to the owner of the premises where the massage establishment is located. However, failure to provide notice to the property owner shall not invalidate any actions taken by the city.

(Ord. No. 2366, § 1, 6-4-2025)

(a) If an application for a massage establishment permit is denied, the police chief shall give written notice to the applicant specifying the time and place of an informal meeting with the police chief, the ground or grounds for denial, the pertinent code sections, and a brief statement of the factual issues in support thereof. The notice shall be mailed to the applicant at the address specified in the application, or it shall be delivered to the applicant personally.

(b) No appeal may be taken to any such administrative decision made by the police chief pursuant to the provisions of this chapter unless such decision to appeal has been first taken up with the police chief. This shall be an informal meeting to allow the applicant to provide evidence that the permit should not be denied. Failure to attend an informal meeting with the chief shall be deemed a forfeiture of any appeal on the decision to deny a permit.

(c) Within ten business days of the informal meeting, the police chief shall render his or her decision in writing, stating his or her findings and the action taken, if any. The decision letter shall be mailed to the applicant or it shall be delivered to the applicant personally. The decision letter shall include the information of the right to appeal.

(d) The applicant may appeal the decision to deny a massage establishment permit by filing a written notice of appeal with the city manager within ten days after deposit of the decision in the mail or its receipt by the applicant, whichever occurs first, specifying in detail the ground or grounds for such appeal.

(e) The city manager shall set a time and place for the hearing on the appeal not less than fifteen days and not more than sixty days from the date the appeal was received by the city manager, and shall give at least five days' written notice by mail to the applicant of the date, time, and place for the hearing. The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with Section 5.32.190.

(f) After the hearing on the appeal, the hearing officer may refer the matter back to the police chief for a new investigation and decision, may affirm the decision of the police chief, or may direct the police chief to issue the license. The permittee will be notified by the city manager. The decision of the hearing officer upon such appeal shall be final and shall be subject to judicial review according to the provisions and time limits set forth in Code of Civil Procedure Section 1094.6.

(Ord. No. 2366, § 1, 6-4-2025)

(a) Whenever the information provided in the application for a certified massage establishment on file with the city changes, the operator shall file an application within seven business days, provided by the police chief, to amend the permit to reflect such change. A change includes but is not limited to the suspension or revocation of an owner or operator's CAMTC license. The application shall be accompanied by the fee established by the city's fee schedule.

(b) The application shall not be approved unless the police chief determines that the terms of the amended permit comply with all requirements of this chapter and all other local, state, and federal laws, and the massage establishment has no outstanding violations or unpaid citations or fees. Inspection of the massage establishment may be required prior to approval of the amendment.

(c) An amendment shall not be used to change the location or owners of a massage establishment. Instead, a new permit application is required pursuant to Section 5.32.090.

(d) A denial of an application to amend a massage establishment permit may be appealed in the same manner as a denial of an application for a permit under Section 5.32.120.

(Ord. No. 2366, § 1, 6-4-2025)

(a) Operational Requirements. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, the following operational requirements shall be applicable to all massage establishments located within the city:

(1) No massage establishment shall be kept open for business between the hours of ten p.m. of one day and eight a.m. of the following day. A massage begun any time before ten p.m. must nevertheless terminate at ten p.m. The owner of an establishment may apply to the police chief for an exception to open prior to eight a.m. The police chief shall establish criteria by which the exception shall be reviewed.

(2) The hours of operation of the massage establishment shall be displayed in a conspicuous public place in the reception and/or waiting area and in any front window clearly visible from outside of the massage establishment.

(3) Patrons and visitors shall be permitted in the massage establishment only during the hours of operation.

(4) During the hours of operation, patrons shall be permitted in massage therapy rooms only if at least one duly authorized certified massage professional is present on the premises of the massage establishment. Patrons shall not be permitted in any employee break room on the premises.

(5) During the hours of operation, visitors shall not be permitted in massage therapy rooms except as follows:

(A) The parents or guardian of a patron who is a minor child may be present in the massage therapy room with that minor child;

(B) The minor child of a patron may be present in the massage therapy room with the patron when necessary for the supervision of the child; or

(C) The conservator, aid, or other caretaker of a patron who is elderly or disabled may be present in the massage therapy room with that elderly or disabled person.

(6) During the hours of operation, except as otherwise provided herein, no visitors shall be permitted in massage therapy rooms, break rooms, dressing rooms, showers, or any other room or part of the massage establishment premises other than the reception and waiting area or toilet rooms.

(7) Except for a patron who is inside a massage therapy room for the purpose of receiving a massage, no patrons or visitors shall be permitted in or on the massage establishment premises at any time who are less than fully clothed in outer garments of nontransparent material, or who display or expose themselves in underclothing or similar intimate apparel.

(8) A list of services available and the cost of such services shall be posted in an open and conspicuous public place on the premises. The services shall be described in English and may also be described in such other languages as may be convenient. No massage establishment operator shall permit, and no person employed or retained by the massage establishment shall offer to perform any services or request or demand fees other than those posted.

(9) The massage establishment shall keep on the premises a complete and current roster of all owners, operators, and managing employees of the massage establishment and all massage professionals and other persons employed or retained by the massage establishment. The roster shall include the name, residence address, and phone number of each individual. The roster shall be available for inspection by city officials charged with the enforcement of this chapter.

(10) All massage services and all tips, if any, shall be paid for in the reception area. Massage establishments may utilize a system where tip envelopes are provided in the treatment rooms to be utilized and deposited by the client in the reception area.

(11) All owners and operators are expected to comply with the city's Wage Theft Prevention Policy (CP-17-01) adopted by city council on July 26, 2017.

(12) Monitors and any electronic recording equipment for any security system are prohibited in the massage therapy rooms.

(13) A massage table or professional massage chair specifically designed for seated massage shall be used for all massage therapy, with the exception of "Thai," "Shiatsu," and similar forms of massage therapy, which may be provided on a padded mat on the floor, provided the patron is fully attired in loose clothing, pajamas, scrubs, or similar style of garment. Massage tables shall have a minimum height of eighteen inches.

(14) Beds, floor mattresses, and waterbeds are not permitted on the premises of the massage establishment, and no massage establishment shall be used for residential or sleeping purposes, which may be shown by circumstantial evidence such as the presence of bedding, pillows, sleeping bags, suitcases, clothing, toiletries or other personal belongings, cooking appliances, utensils, or food in excess of a business establishment's normal requirements.

(15) No massage table or professional massage chair may be modified from its intended purpose.

(16) Main entry door and reception and waiting area required. One main entry door shall be provided for patron entry to the massage establishment, which shall open to an interior patron reception and waiting area immediately. All patrons and any persons other than individuals employed or retained by the massage establishment shall be required to enter and exit through the main entry door. Unless the massage establishment is a sole proprietorship or a home occupation with one or no other employees, the main entry door shall be unlocked at all times during business hours.

(17) No massage establishment located in a building or structure with exterior windows fronting a public street, highway, walkway, or parking area shall block visibility into the interior reception and waiting area through the use of curtains, closed blinds, tints, or any other material that obstructs, blurs, or unreasonably darkens the view into the premises. Premises shall provide clear viewing into the lobby that is at least four feet in height starting not higher than two feet from the finished floor.

(18) Patrons' genitals and female patrons' breasts must be fully draped at all times while any individual employed or retained by the massage establishment is in the massage room or cubicle with the patron. No massage shall be provided to a patron that results in intentional contact, or occasional and repetitive contact, with the genitals or anal region of a patron, or of a female patron's breasts without the written consent of the person receiving the massage and a referral from a licensed California health care provider.

(19) No alcoholic beverages shall be sold, served, or furnished to any patron or visitor; nor shall any alcoholic beverages be consumed, kept, or possessed on the premises of a massage establishment.

(20) No birth control device or aid, including, but not limited to, condoms, shall be stored, kept, or distributed on the premises of a massage establishment.

(b) Physical Facility and Building and Fire Code Requirements. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, the following physical facility and building code requirements shall be applicable to all massage establishments located within the city:

(1) All interior doors, including massage therapy rooms or cubicles, but excluding individual dressing rooms, showers, and toilet rooms, shall be incapable of being locked and shall not be blocked to prevent opening. Draw drapes, curtain enclosures, or accordion-pleated closures in lieu of doors are acceptable on all inner massage therapy rooms or cubicles.

(2) Minimum lighting equivalent to at least one forty-watt light shall be provided in each massage therapy room or cubicle.

(3) All locker facilities that are provided for the use of patrons shall be fully secured for the protection of the patrons' valuables, and each patron shall be given control of the key or other means of access.

(4) The massage establishment shall comply with all applicable state and local building and fire codes as adopted in Title 15 of this code.

(c) Health and Safety Requirements. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, the following health and safety requirements shall be applicable to all massage establishments located within the city:

(1) The massage establishment shall at all times be equipped with an adequate supply of clean sanitary towels, coverings, and linens, and all massage tables or chairs shall be covered with a clean sheet or other clean covering appropriate to the equipment for each patron. After a towel, covering, or linen has been used once, it shall be deposited in a closed receptacle, or directly into a washing machine, and not used again until properly laundered and sanitized. Towels, coverings, and linens shall be laundered either by regular commercial laundering, or by a noncommercial laundering process that includes immersion in water at least one hundred forty degrees Fahrenheit for not less than fifteen minutes during the washing or rinsing operation. Clean towels, coverings, and linens shall be stored in closed, clean cabinets when not in use. A certified massage professional engaged in the practice of outcall massage shall carry a sufficient quantity of clean and sanitary towels, sheets, and linens to comply with the requirements.

(2) All massage therapy rooms or cubicles, wet and dry heat rooms, toilet rooms, shower compartments, hot tubs, and pools shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected as needed, and at least once each business day when the premises has been or will be open and such facilities in use. All bathtubs shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after each use.

(3) All liquids, creams, or other preparations used on or made available to patrons shall be kept in clean and closed containers. Powders may be kept in clean shakers. All bottles and containers shall be distinctly and correctly labeled to disclose their contents. When only a portion of a liquid, cream, or other preparation is to be used on or made available to a patron, it shall be removed from the container in such a way as not to contaminate the remaining portion.

(4) Unless otherwise licensed under state or local law, no invasive procedures shall be performed on any patron. Invasive procedures include, but are not limited to:

(A) Application of electricity that contracts the muscle;

(B) Penetration of the skin by metal needles;

(C) Abrasion of the skin below the nonliving, epidermal layers;

(D) Removal of skin by means of any razor-edged instrument or other device or tool;

(E) Use of any needle-like instrument for the purpose of extracting skin blemishes; and

(F) Other similar procedures.

(5) All bathrobes, bathing suits, and/or other garments that are provided for the use of patrons shall be either fully disposable and not used by more than one patron, or shall be laundered after each use pursuant to subsection (c)(1) of this section.

(6) All combs, brushes, and/or other personal items of grooming or hygiene that are provided for the use of patrons shall be either fully disposable and not used by more than one patron, or shall be fully disinfected after each use.

(7) No patrons shall be allowed to use any shower facilities of the massage establishment unless such patrons are wearing slip-resistant sandals or flip-flops while in the shower compartment. All footwear such as sandals or flip-flops that are provided for the use of patrons either shall be fully disposable and not used by more than one patron, or shall be fully disinfected after each use.

(d) Attire and Physical Hygiene Requirements. The following attire and physical hygiene requirements shall be applicable to all employees and any other persons who work permanently or temporarily on the premises of a massage establishment within the city, including, but not limited to, all persons who are employed or retained to practice massage for the massage establishment:

(1) No person shall dress in:

(A) Attire that is transparent, see-through, or substantially exposes the person's undergarments;

(B) Swim attire, unless providing a water-based massage modality approved by the CAMTC;

(C) A manner that exposes the person's chest, breasts, buttocks, or genitals;

(D) A manner that constitutes a violation of Section 314 of the California Penal Code.

(2) No massage establishment operator, employee, or visitor shall, while on the premises of a massage establishment or while performing any outcall massage service, and while in the presence of any patron, customer, employee or visitor, expose his or her chest, breast, buttocks, or genitals.

(3) All persons shall thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water or any equally effective cleansing agent immediately before providing massage to a patron. No massage shall be provided upon a surface of the skin or scalp of a patron where such skin is inflamed, broken (e.g., abraded or cut), or where a skin infection or eruption is present.

(4) No massage establishment shall store undergarment clothing.

(e) Display of Permit and Certifications.

(1) The massage establishment permit shall be displayed in an open and conspicuous place on the premises visible from the main entry door and/or reception and waiting area of the massage establishment.

(2) Each person employed or retained by a massage establishment to perform massage in or on the premises or through an outcall massage service shall display on his or her person the original, valid current photograph-bearing identification card issued to that employee by the CAMTC. A copy of each such identification card and the person's original CAMTC certificate shall also be displayed in an open and conspicuous place visible from the main entry door and/or reception and waiting area of the massage establishment. The home address of any employee need not be displayed.

(f) Display of Human Trafficking Notices. The massage establishment shall comply with the requirements in California Civil Code Section 52.6 related to the posting of information for victims of human trafficking.

(g) Home Occupation and Outcall-Only Businesses—Exemptions.

(1) Where a certified massage establishment is a home occupation, and the operator has complied with the provisions of Section 18.92.060 of this code pertaining to home occupations, the provisions of subsections (a)(2), (b)(1)—(3), and (b)(6) of this section shall not apply, and the portions of the residence subject to the requirements of subsections (b) and (c) of this section shall be only those portions that are used at any time by the patron of the massage establishment.

(2) For massage establishments that provide outcall-only services and have no fixed location for performing massage, provisions of this section related to businesses with fixed locations shall not apply. Specifically, the provisions of subsections (a)(2)—(9), (b)(1)—(4), (b)(6)—(8), (c)(2) and (7), (e)(1), and (f) of this section shall not apply to outcall-only establishments.

(Ord. No. 2366, § 1, 6-4-2025)

(a) The inspector shall have the right to enter any massage establishment, other than an establishment providing outcall-only services, during regular business hours, without a search or inspection warrant, to make reasonable inspection to ascertain whether there is compliance with the provisions of this chapter. Inspectors shall have access to all areas of the massage establishment, including, but not limited to, drawers and cupboards used for storage. Identification may be requested of any employee within the establishment who is not displaying a CAMTC identification card. Photographs and digital and video recordings may be taken by the inspector to document the violations. For home occupations, reasonable inspection shall be limited to the portions of the residence open to patrons.

(b) For those violations which may be corrected, the massage establishment operator shall take immediate action to correct each violation noted by the inspector. A reinspection will be performed to ensure that each violation noted by the inspector has been corrected.

(Ord. No. 2366, § 1, 6-4-2025)

(a) For the purpose of enforcing the requirements of this chapter, all owners and operators of the massage establishment shall be jointly and severally responsible for the conduct of all massage establishment employees, agents, independent contractors, or other representatives while such persons are on the premises of the massage establishment or providing outcall massage services on behalf of the massage establishment.

(b) In addition to any other remedy available to the city under applicable law, a massage establishment permit may be suspended or revoked as provided in Sections 5.32.170 and 5.32.180. Upon issuance of a final order by the police chief, city manager or hearing officer to revoke the massage permit, the massage establishment shall immediately cease operation, and, if so ordered by the hearing officer, no other massage establishment shall be permitted to operate at that location by any person for a period of not less than five years ("the moratorium period"). If the operator is not also the legal owner of the real property on which the massage establishment is situated, notice of such revocation and the five-year prohibition shall be provided by the permit authority to the owner of record of the property as shown on the latest county assessment roll.

(c) In addition to any other remedy available to the city under applicable law, a massage establishment permit may not be renewed or amended unless and until all due and unpaid citations issued pursuant to this chapter are paid in full, and all outstanding violations have been corrected.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, where a notice of revocation or suspension has been issued to the operator of a massage establishment pursuant to Section 5.32.180 of this chapter, the police chief shall not process or grant an application for a massage establishment permit for a new massage establishment at the same premises unless and until such notice of revocation or suspension is dismissed; or a final determination is made pursuant to that section that the current operator's massage establishment permit is not or should not be revoked; or any moratorium period imposed pursuant to this chapter has expired.

(Ord. No. 2366, § 1, 6-4-2025)

All massage establishment operators shall be deemed to know and understand the requirements and prohibitions of this chapter. Any massage establishment permit issued pursuant to this chapter may be suspended or revoked after a hearing, where findings are made that any of the following have occurred on even a single occasion:

(a) The permittee or any person employed or retained by the massage establishment has violated any provision of this chapter, the California Business and Professions Code Sections 4600 et seq., or any local, state, or federal law.

(b) The permittee or any person employed or retained by the massage establishment has been convicted in a court of competent jurisdiction of having violated, or has engaged in conduct constituting a violation of, any of the following: California Penal Code Sections 266, 266a, 266e, 266f, 266g, 266h, 266i, 266j, 315, 316, 318, 647(b), or 653.22, or conspiracy or attempt to commit any such offense, or any offense in a jurisdiction outside of the State of California that is the equivalent of any of the aforesaid offenses.

(c) The permittee or any person employed or retained by the massage establishment is required to register under Section 290 of the California Penal Code.

(d) The permittee has been subject to a permanent injunction against the conducting or maintaining of a nuisance pursuant to this code, or Sections 11225 through 11235 of the California Penal Code, or any similar provision of law in any jurisdiction outside the State of California.

(e) The permittee or any person employed or retained by the massage establishment has engaged in fraud or misrepresentation or has knowingly made a misstatement of material fact while working in or for the massage establishment.

(f) The permittee has continued to operate the massage establishment after the massage establishment permit has been suspended.

(g) The CAMTC license has been suspended or revoked of a licensed CAMTC massage therapist owner or operator.

(h) Massage has been performed on the premises of the massage establishment, with or without the permittee's actual knowledge, by any person who is not a duly authorized, in good standing CAMTC-certified massage professional.

(i) A person who is not a duly authorized CAMTC-certified massage professional has provided outcall massage services through or on behalf of the massage establishment.

(j) There have been one or more acts prohibited under California Penal Code Sections 266, 266a, 266e, 266f, 266g, 266h, 266i, 266j, 315, 316, 318, 647(b), or 653.22 taking place on the premises of the massage establishment, whether or not any criminal prosecution has been pursued or conviction obtained for such acts, and whether or not they occurred with or without the actual knowledge of the permittee.

(k) The permittee or any person employed or retained by the massage establishment or any other person on the premises of the massage establishment has engaged in conduct or committed acts that a reasonable person in the patron's position would understand as an offer to perform on or engage in with the patron acts that are sexual in nature or that involve touching of the patron's genitals, or anal region.

(l) The permittee or any person employed or retained by the massage establishment has engaged in sexually suggestive advertising related to massage services on the premises of the massage establishment, including, but not limited to, displaying photographs of individuals clothed in swim attire, or attire that is transparent, see-through or substantially exposes the individual's undergarments, breasts, buttocks, or genitals, describing massage services as "erotic," "sensual" or similarly sexual in nature, listing advertisements in adult media, or describing the appearance or age of massage providers.

(m) If the applicant has failed to comply with a final court order or administrative action of an investigatory agency finding a violation of applicable federal, state and local wage and hour laws, including, but not limited to, the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, the California Labor Code, and any local minimum wage ordinance or prevailing wage requirements. For purposes of this subsection, a final court order or administrative action is one as to which there is no pending appeal and the time for filing an appeal has passed.

(Ord. No. 2366, § 1, 6-4-2025)

(a) The police chief shall give written notice of the proposed revocation or suspension of any permit granted pursuant to this chapter to the permittee. The notice shall set forth the date that the revocation or suspension is effective, the time and place of the informal meeting with the police chief, the ground or grounds upon which the revocation or suspension is based, the pertinent code sections, and a brief statement of the factual issues in support thereof. The notice shall be mailed to the permittee at the business address, or it shall be delivered to the permittee personally, at least ten business days prior to the effective date of the suspension or revocation, unless immediate revocation is necessary to protect the public health and safety, such as criminal activity resulting in the arrest of one or more individuals at the massage establishment or building code violations that render the massage establishment unsafe to occupy.

(b) No appeal may be taken to any such administrative decision made by the police chief pursuant to the provisions of this chapter unless such decision to appeal has been first taken up with the police chief. This shall be an informal meeting to allow the permittee to provide evidence that the permit should not be suspended or revoked.

(c) Failure to attend an informal meeting with the chief shall be deemed a forfeiture of any right to appeal the decision to suspend or revoke a permit.

(d) Within ten business days of the informal meeting, the police chief shall render his or her decision in writing, stating his or her findings and the action taken, if any. The decision letter shall be mailed to the permittee at the business address or it shall be delivered to the permittee personally. The decision letter shall include the information of the right to appeal.

(e) The permittee may appeal the decision to suspend or revoke a massage establishment permit by filing a written notice of appeal with the city manager, within ten days from the deposit of the decision letter in the mail or its receipt by the permittee, whichever occurs first, specifying in detail the ground or grounds for the appeal.

(f) The city manager shall set a time and place for the hearing on the appeal not less than fifteen days and not more than sixty days from the date the appeal was received by the city manager, and shall give at least five days' written notice by mail to the permittee of the date, time, and place for the hearing. The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with Section 5.32.190.

(g) After the hearing on the appeal, the hearing officer may refer the matter back to the police chief for a new investigation and decision, may affirm the decision of the police chief, may dismiss the disciplinary action, or may revoke or suspend the permit. The permittee will be notified by the city manager. The decision of the hearing officer upon such appeal shall be final and shall be subject to judicial review according to the provisions and time limits set forth in Code of Civil Procedure Section 1094.6.

(h) The notices provided to the massage establishment pursuant to this section may also be sent to the owner of the premises where the massage establishment is located. However, failure to provide notice to the property owner shall not invalidate any actions taken by the city.

(Ord. No. 2366, § 1, 6-4-2025)

The following rules shall apply to any hearing required by this chapter.

(a) The city manager may hear the appeal, or designate a city employee or third party to act as the hearing officer.

(b) All parties involved shall have the right to offer testimonial, documentary, and tangible evidence bearing on the issues, to be represented by counsel, and to confront and cross-examine witnesses.

(c) Any relevant evidence may be admitted if it is the sort of evidence upon which reasonable persons are accustomed to rely in the conduct of serious affairs.

(d) The hearing officer may conduct the hearing informally, both as to rules of procedure and admission of evidence, in any manner which will provide a fair hearing.

(e) A continuance may be granted for good cause if the party seeking the continuance has made a good faith effort to prevent the recurrence of the incident that led to the notice of intent to revoke or suspend.

(f) If the police chief submits an additional written report concerning the revocation or suspension to the hearing officer for consideration at the hearing, then a copy of this report also shall be mailed to the person requesting the hearing at least five days prior to the date of the hearing. Any administrative citation, revocation or suspension letter, and any additional report submitted by the police chief shall constitute prima facie evidence of the respective facts contained in those documents.

(g) The standard of proof shall be by a preponderance of the evidence.

(h) Failure to attend an appeal hearing is grounds for dismissal of the appeal and constitutes a failure to exhaust the administrative remedies.

(Ord. No. 2366, § 1, 6-4-2025)

Any massage establishment operated, conducted, or maintained contrary to the provisions of this chapter shall be, and the same is hereby declared to be, unlawful and a public nuisance, and the city attorney may, in addition to or in lieu of prosecuting a criminal action hereunder, commence an action or actions, proceeding or proceedings, for the abatement, removal and enjoinment thereof, in the manner provided by law. Such remedies shall be in addition to any other judicial and administrative penalties and remedies available to the city under this code or under state law.

(Ord. No. 2366, § 1, 6-4-2025)