Alhambra, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Municipal Code § 9.44.060
- Required documents
- Business license, occupancy cert, CUP, registry
- Practitioner requirement
- Must be CAMTC-certified
- Compliance date
- New businesses since July 1, 2016
- Enforcement
- Administrative citation under Chapter 1.13
Summary
Alhambra requires every massage establishment to hold a city business license, certificate of occupancy, conditional use permit, and an Alhambra massage establishment registry, and to staff only CAMTC-certified practitioners, under Municipal Code § 9.44.060. New establishments and ancillary massage service businesses have needed to comply since July 1, 2016.
It shall be unlawful for any massage establishment to provide massage services unless all of the following requirements are met: (1) All of the individuals employed by the massage establishment to perform massage are certified massage practitioners; (2) The establishment has a valid city business license under Chapter 5.04; (3) The establishment has a valid city certificate of occupancy; (4) The establishment has a valid Alhambra massage establishment registry under this chapter; and (5) The establishment has a valid conditional use permit unless exempt pursuant to §§ 9.44.010 and/or 9.44.030.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-25: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 4851, passed 10-27-25).
Full Breakdown
030. can trigger revocation. 010 sets a compliance date of July 1, 2016 for new establishments and ancillary massage businesses. 080, the Director can suspend or revoke the registry for violations of the chapter, disqualifying conduct proven by clear and convincing evidence, operating without a valid CAMTC certificate for a practitioner, or continuing to operate after suspension.
Violations & Fines
Section 9.44.070 subjects any violation of the chapter to administrative citation and penalty procedures under Chapter 1.13. Conduct that cannot be remedied that way, including substantial evidence of prostitution activity on the premises or an immediate threat to health, safety, or welfare, is subject to any other legal action the city can bring, and the registry itself can be suspended or revoked under § 9.44.080.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a massage establishment need to legally operate in Alhambra?
Since when have new massage businesses had to comply with Chapter 9.44?
Can the city revoke a massage establishment's registry?
What happens if a massage establishment is caught violating the ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alhambra
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