Akron, OH Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

251 makes it unlawful to engage in, conduct, or carry on the operation of a massage establishment anywhere in the city without first obtaining a permit from the Mayor, issued after approval of the Health Officer. 252 requires an applicant to file a duplicate application under oath with the License Inspector and pay a nonrefundable $185 filing fee to the City Treasurer. The License Inspector must refer the application within five days to the Fire Division, Health Commission, Building Inspection Division, and Police Division, each of which has thirty days to inspect the premises and report on compliance; the License Inspector then has ten days after receiving those recommendations to grant, deny, or hold the application for up to another thirty days of investigation.

253 requires each owner, partner, officer, or major stockholder to disclose their name, age, three years of addresses and employment history, prior license revocations, criminal convictions in the last five years, and fingerprints and photographs. 254(A)(2), the City must deny a permit if any manager or operator was convicted within the last five years of a felony, sexual misconduct with children, prostitution-related offenses, or any crime involving dishonesty or fraud; permits expire one year from issuance. 256 and pay a nonrefundable $85 filing fee. 255 for code violations, false statements, or refusing an inspection.