Apple Valley, MN Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Chapter 123 of the Apple Valley Code of Ordinances, adopted by the City Council as Ord. 912 on 3-24-11, licenses massage therapists and massage therapy businesses in Apple Valley, Dakota County, Minnesota. Section 123.03 requires both licenses. A massage therapy business is any enterprise providing massage therapy for a fee that either has one or more therapists other than the owner, or sits at a fixed location in a non-residential district. Exempt from the business license are state-licensed or publicly owned health care offices and clinics, businesses owned and operated by state licensed medical professionals, state-licensed cosmetology salons acting within their license, and accredited schools running supervised student clinics.

An application goes to the City Clerk with all fees. The application fee covers the Police Department background investigation of the business and everyone holding a 5% financial interest, and the building inspector can inspect the premises first. The City Clerk approves or denies. Under § 123.05 the fixed location must be in a commercial or industrial district where medical or health care uses are permitted, and a conviction or license suspension or revocation within ten years of the application is grounds for denial. The application must also name an on-site manager or agent.

Fees are set by the City Council in the Chapter 35 Appendix and paid on a prorated quarterly basis. A business wholly owned and operated by a licensed therapist with no other therapist pays only the therapist fee. A renewal filed after May 15 needs a late fee of 130% of the license fee, not to exceed $30 more than the license fee, and a license is deemed expired if renewal is not filed by June 30.

Section 123.06 sets operating rules: no services or open premises between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., general liability insurance of $300,000 combined single limit per occurrence, no transfers, and inspection access for building, zoning, code or police officers. Section 123.07 bars any massage therapy business from operating as or with an adult use business.