Saint Paul, MN Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)

Sec. 01 requires a license to operate an adult massage parlor in Saint Paul, including businesses that arrange massages by phone or written communication for delivery on a licensed premises, and bars transferring the license between people, businesses or locations. Sec. " Licensing runs through the city council rather than administrative approval alone. Under Sec. 04(b), DSI must mail hearing notice at least 30 days out to every owner and occupant within 300 feet of the establishment's main entrance property line, measured in a straight line between the nearest property lines, plus any community organization registered with the department; that mailed-notice step is waived only for premises inside the ordinance's defined downtown business district.

At the Sec. 04(c) hearing, the council may weigh the character of the surrounding neighborhood, the site's proximity to churches, schools, playgrounds, parks or other community facilities, and traffic or parking impacts, and may deny the license outright or attach restrictions under Sec. 04(d)-(e). Sec. 04(a)(5) requires written proof every employee is at least 18, and Sec. 05(13) makes employing anyone under 18 independent grounds for license denial, suspension or revocation. Sec. m. Construction rules under Sec. 06 largely mirror Chapter 412 (impervious surfaces, ventilation, footcandle minimums) but Sec. 06(8) requires separate bathing, dressing, locker and massage facilities for female and male patrons rather than the shared-with-privacy standard used for non-adult centers.