Norwalk Municipal Code Art. III Massage Technician Permit

No person shall act as a massage technician without a permit issued pursuant to this article.

(Ord. 06-1569 § 8, 2006; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

In addition to the information set forth in Section 5.52.050(A)(2) through (8), an application for a massage technician permit shall include:

A. Written proof that the applicant is over the age of 21 years;

B. A certificate from a medical doctor stating that the applicant has, within 30 days immediately prior thereto, been examined and found to be free of any contagious or communicable disease; and

C. Such other identification and information reasonably necessary to discover the truth of the matters specified in this section.

(Ord. 06-1569 § 8, 2006; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

The applicant shall furnish with his or her application for a permit to be a massage technician proof of one of the following:

A. A diploma or certificate of graduation from a recognized school wherein the method, profession and work of a massage technician is taught; or

B. A diploma or certificate from a school outside of the State of California which substantially complies with the educational requirements of Section 29025 of the Education Code of this State; or

C. Other evidence showing not less than five years of experience as a practicing massage technician.

(Ord. 06-1569 § 8, 2006; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

A. Decision. The Director shall, within 90 City business days of the filing of an application, approve and issue the massage technician permit if there are no grounds for denial; otherwise the permit shall be denied. Notice of the approval or denial of the permit shall be given to the applicant in writing. If the application is denied, the Director shall attach to the notice a statement of the reasons for the denial. The times set forth in this section shall not be extended except upon written consent of the applicant.

B. Grounds for Denial. The Director may deny an application for a massage technician permit upon any of the following grounds:

1. The applicant has been convicted in a court of competent jurisdiction of any of the following: (a) a violation of the provisions of California Penal Code Sections 266i, 314, 315, 316, 318, 647; (b) a felony offense involving the sale of a controlled substance; (c) a misdemeanor or felony offense that relates directly to the operation of a massage establishment; (d) a felony whose commission occurred on the premises of a massage establishment; (e) conspiracy or attempt to commit any of the aforesaid offenses; (f) been found guilty of, or pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to, any lessor-included offenses of any of the offenses in subsections (a) through (e); or (g) or any other crime involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or moral turpitude;

2. The applicant had a permit or license or an application for a permit or license for a massage establishment, massage technician, or other similar use denied, revoked, or suspended by the City, or any other state or local agency prior to the date of approval;

3. The applicant is under 21 years of age;

4. The applicant is registered in any state as a prostitute;

5. The applicant has not provided proof of education or experience as required in Section 5.52.110;

6. Failure to complete the application, including, but not limited to, submittal of all information from the County of Los Angeles Sheriff's Department;

7. Knowing submission of a misleading or fraudulent statement of material fact.

(Ord. 06-1569 § 8, 2006; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

A. Off-premises Massage Prohibited. No massage technician permitted pursuant to this chapter may perform any massage or massage services for financial consideration in any location other than the location or locations specified in the permit.

B. Attire. No massage or massage services may be administered unless the patron wears clothing which covers the patron's genitals, and if the patron is female, the breasts. The massage technician shall at all times while on the premises of the establishment, be clean, and wear nontransparent outer garments covering the body from knee to neck.

C. Identification. All massage technicians must posses a valid California Driver's License or California identification card, and have the form of identification available in order to present it to any official from the City of Norwalk, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, or Los Angeles County Health Department, while working in a massage establishment.

D. Physical Contact Prohibited. No massage technician shall, in the course of administering any massage service, expose his or her specified anatomical areas or buttocks or make physical contact with the specified anatomical areas of any client. Nor shall any massage technician allow any client, in the course of receiving any massage service, to expose to view of other persons his or her specified anatomical areas or buttocks or to make physical contact with the specified anatomical areas or buttocks of the massage technician or any other person.

E. Employer Compliance. No massage technician shall knowingly provide massage services at a massage establishment that does not comply with the operating requirements in Section 5.52.070 of this chapter.

(Ord. 06-1569 § 8, 2006; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)