Ankeny, IA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Ankeny Code of Ordinances Chapter 139 responds to businesses that advertise massage therapy but engage in prostitution or human trafficking (§ 139.01). Section 139.02 defines a "massage therapy business" as any business or place of business, including mobile, temporary and transient businesses, where massage therapy treatments are administered, practiced, used, given, advertised or applied. Section 139.03 makes it unlawful for a person to practice massage therapy, or use the initials "L.M.T." or the title "licensed massage therapist," "masseur," or "masseuse," without a license issued under Iowa Code § 152C.3, and every licensed therapist must keep that license on hand and exhibit it on request from a customer or city official (§ 139.04).

A violation is both a municipal infraction and a misdemeanor, carrying the general criminal and civil penalties of Ankeny Municipal Code Chapter 4 (§ 139.05(1)). If an unlicensed massage therapy business is found, the police chief or designee posts a placard reading "Unsafe to Enter; Unlicensed Massage Therapy Must Cease" in a highly noticeable location, and that placard stays up until a valid state license is obtained or another legal use is established (§ 139.05(2)). Removing the placard without the police chief's approval is itself a violation (§ 139.05(3)), as is continuing to offer massage therapy services at a placarded location without approved removal of the placard (§ 139.05(4)).