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Title 4 — BUSINESS LICENSES AND REGULATIONS

Chapter 4.56 — HOT TUB/SAUNA ESTABLISHMENTS

Palo Alto Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-09-29 · Palo Alto

4.56.010 Reserved

4.56.020 Definitions.

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 given them in this section:

(a) “Hot tub/sauna establishment” means any establishment having a fixed place of business where any person, as defined in this section, for compensation, engages in, conducts, carries on or permits to be engaged in, conducted or carried on any of the following as the principal functions; provided, that any establishment wherein any employee provides any services defined as massage or adult entertainment by Sections 4.54.020 or 4.55.020 shall be licensed pursuant to the provisions of Chapters4.54 or 4.55, respectively.

(1) Where Russian, Turkish, Finnish, Swedish, hot air, vapor, electric cabinet, steam, mineral, sweat, salt, Japanese, sauna, fomentation,

alcohol or baths of any kind whatsoever are furnished or made available; and/or

(2) Where the public has access, on a rental basis, to private rooms or suites located within the establishment, in which are located or provided

hot tubs, jacuzzis, saunas, showers, similar and/or related facilities, or any combination thereof.

The term “hot tub/sauna establishment” does not include licensed hospitals, nursing homes, sanitaria, or individuals holding a valid certificate to

practice the healing arts under the laws of the state of California, or individuals working under the direction of any such certificated persons. The term “hot tub/sauna establishment” does not include any type of a privately owned and operated health spa, gymnasium or exercise facility where the primary purpose of the establishment is the offering of exercise or physical fitness equipment and facilities to prospective patrons; even though such establishment may have, on its premises, facilities for hot baths, and/or hot tubs, jacuzzis, saunas and related facilities for the incidental use of patrons.

(b) “Person” means any individual, partnership, firm, association. joint venture, corporation. or combination of individuals.

Whenever, in this chapter, the singular form of any of the terms defined in this section is used, the same includes the plural form of such term.

(Ord. 5693 § 3 (part), 2026: Ord. 3113 § 1 (part), 1979)

4.56.030 Hot tub/sauna establishment county license required.

It is unlawful for any person to engage in, conduct or carry on, in or upon any premises within the city the operation of a hot tub/sauna establishment without any applicable valid license(s) or permit(s) required by and obtained from the County of Santa Clara.

(Ord. 5693 § 3 (part), 2026: Ord. 3113 § 1 (part), 1979)

4.56.040 Reserved.

4.56.050 Reserved.

4.56.060 Reserved.

4.56.070 Reserved.

4.56.080 Reserved.

4.56.090 Reserved.

4.56.100 Reserved.

4.56.110 Inspection by officials.

Any and all investigating officials of the city shall have the right to enter hot tub/sauna establishments from time to time during regular business hours to make reasonable inspections to observe and enforce compliance with building, fire, electrical, plumbing or other safety regulations. A warrant shall be obtained whenever required by law.

(Ord. 5693 § 3 (part), 2026: Ord. 4642 § 5, 2000: Ord. 3113 § 1 (part), 1979)

4.56.120 Business name.

No person licensed to operate a hot tub/sauna establishment shall operate under any name or conduct business under any designation not specified in a county license(s).

(Ord. 5693 § 3 (part), 2026: Ord. 3113 § 1 (part), 1979)

4.56.130 Reserved.

4.56.140 Reserved.

4.56.150 Reserved.

4.56.160 Reserved.

4.56.170 Reserved.

(Repealed by Ord. 5693 § 3, 2026)

4.56.180 Reserved.

4.56.190 Reserved.

4.56.200 Reserved.

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▸Contents — Palo Alto Municipal Code
Palo Alto Municipal Code
  1. Article VIII — A. Board of Education
  2. Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  3. Title 2 — ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
  4. ▸Title 4 — BUSINESS LICENSES AND REGULATIONS
    Overview
    1. 4.04 General Provisions
    2. 4.10 Licenses Obtained by Application to Chief of Police
    3. 4.12 Sidewalk Vendors
    4. 4.18 License Obtained by Application to Poundmaster
    5. 4.30 Soliciting Funds
    6. 4.32 Soliciting Information for Commercial Purposes
    7. 4.34 Closing Out Sales
    8. 4.38 Reserved
    9. 4.39 Private Intrusion and Fire Alarms
    10. 4.42 Taxicabs and Other For-Hire Vehicles
    11. 4.46 Reserved
    12. 4.48 Reserved
    13. 4.51 Bingo Games
    14. 4.52 Billiard Rooms, Cardrooms and Bowling Alleys
    15. 4.54 Massage Establishments
    16. 4.55 Adult Entertainment Establishments
    17. 4.56 Hot Tub/Sauna Establishments
    18. 4.57 Firearms Dealers
    19. 4.58 Narcotics Paraphernalia Sale and Display
    20. 4.59 Pet Shops
    21. 4.60 Business Registration Program
    22. 4.62 Citywide Minimum Wage
    23. 4.64 Permits for Retailers of Tobacco Products
    24. Chapter 4.04 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
    25. Chapter 4.10 — SOLICITORS, PEDDLERS, PAWNBROKERS, SECONDHAND
    26. Chapter 4.12 — SIDEWALK VENDORS
    27. Chapter 4.18 — LICENSE OBTAINED BY APPLICATION TO POUNDMASTER
    28. Chapter 4.30 — SOLICITING FUNDS
    29. Chapter 4.32 — SOLICITING INFORMATION FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES
    30. Chapter 4.34 — CLOSING OUT SALES
    31. Chapter 4.38 — RESERVED
    32. Chapter 4.39 — PRIVATE INTRUSION AND FIRE ALARMS
    33. Chapter 4.42 — TAXICABS AND OTHER FOR-HIRE VEHICLES
    34. Chapter 4.46 — RESERVED
    35. Chapter 4.48 — RESERVED
    36. Chapter 4.51 — BINGO GAMES
    37. Chapter 4.52 — BILLIARD ROOMS, CARDROOMS AND BOWLING ALLEYS
    38. Chapter 4.54 — MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS
    39. Chapter 4.55 — ADULT ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENTS
    40. Chapter 4.56 — HOT TUB/SAUNA ESTABLISHMENTS
    41. Chapter 4.57 — FIREARMS DEALERS
    42. Chapter 4.58 — NARCOTICS PARAPHERNALIA SALE AND DISPLAY
    43. Chapter 4.59 — PET SHOPS
    44. Chapter 4.64 — PERMITS FOR RETAILERS OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS
  5. Title 5 — HEALTH AND SANITATION
  6. Title 6 — ANIMALS
  7. Title 8 — TREES AND VEGETATION
  8. Title 9 — PUBLIC PEACE, MORALS AND SAFETY
  9. Title 10 — VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
  10. Title 11 — ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT PROCEDURE
  11. Title 12 — PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
  12. Title 13 — IMPROVEMENT PROCEDURE
  13. Title 15 — FIRE PREVENTION
  14. Title 16 — BUILDING REGULATIONS
  15. Title 17 — HAZARDOUS MATERIALS STORAGE
  16. Title 18 — ZONING
  17. Title 19 — MASTER PLAN
  18. Article 7 — AUTHORITY FOR AND SCOPE OF MASTER OR GENERAL PLANS.
  19. Article 8 — PROCEDURE FOR ADOPTION OF MASTER OR GENERAL PLAN.
  20. Chapter 19.06 — SPECIFIC PLANS
  21. Chapter 19.10 — COORDINATED AREA PLANS
  22. Title 20 — PRECISE PLANS
  23. Title 21 — SUBDIVISIONS AND OTHER DIVISIONS OF LAND
  24. Title 22 — PARKS

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