Santa Rosa Zoning Code Ch. 20-49 Massage Regulation

A.

In enacting this chapter, the city council acknowledges the valuable health and therapeutic services that commercial Massage Therapy can provide to the public. However, the council also recognizes the potential for unlawful activities associated with Massage Therapy, which can threaten the quality of life in the community if not properly regulated. Therefore, the purpose of this chapter is to protect public health, safety, and welfare by establishing clear regulations for Establishments providing Massage Therapy services, prohibiting prostitution and other illegal activities conducted under the guise of Massage Therapy, and setting specific sanitation, health, and operational standards for Massage Establishments.

Additionally, this chapter aims to mitigate neighborhood blight and protect the integrity of both residential and commercial districts. It also seeks to strengthen enforcement of criminal laws pertaining to illegal activities conducted by Massage Establishment operators and employees. C.

It is the council's further purpose to implement the statewide regulations governing Massage Therapists and Establishments, as outlined in Business and Professions Code Section 4600 et seq. These regulations, enacted in 2008 and subsequently amended, will be used to restrict commercial massage practice in the city to only those Individuals certified by the California Massage Therapy Council. Additionally, the chapter will establish provisions for the registration and regulation of Massage Establishments to ensure public health and safety, within the limits of applicable law.

(Ord. 2025-004, 3/18/2025)

Unless the context indicates otherwise, the definitions provided in this section shall apply to the interpretation and application of terms used in this chapter. Any term not specifically defined herein or in chapter 20-70 of this Code shall be given its ordinary and commonly understood meaning. Where differing definitions may be found in this Code, the definitions contained in this section shall apply for purposes of this Chapter. As used in this Code, the following terms shall have the meanings specified below:

"Administrative Adjustment"

means the process by which certain Massage Related Uses, as defined in this Title, may receive use-specific relief from certain strict regulations contained in Sections 20-49.040, 20-49.050, and 20-49.060 of this Chapter, offering flexibility while maintaining the code's overall intent. Administrative adjustments have Director level review authority but may be deferred to the Planning Commission.

"Business Owner"

refers to any of the following Individuals:

1.

The sole proprietor of a Massage Business or Establishment;

2.

Any general partner of a partnership that owns and operates a Massage Business or Establishment; or

3.

Any Individual who has an ownership interest in a corporation that owns and operates a Massage Business or Establishment.