Appleton, WI Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code Sec. 10-50
- License authority
- Wis. Stat. Chapter 460
- First offense forfeiture
- Up to $100
- Repeat offense forfeiture
- Up to $250
- Prior local license
- Repealed by Ord. 36-05 (2005)
- Adopting ordinance
- Ord 11-20, effective 2-11-2020
Summary
Appleton requires every massage therapist or bodyworker practicing in the city to hold a Wisconsin state license under Wis. Stat. Chapter 460, and bars any business from employing or contracting with an unlicensed practitioner. City Code Sec. 10-50 folds the state licensing law into local enforcement with its own forfeiture schedule.
Sec. 10-50. Massage therapy and bodywork therapy. ... (a) For purposes of this section, the definitions set forth in W.S.A. §460.01 are hereby adopted and incorporated as part of this section. (b) No person may violate the prohibitions under W.S.A. §460.02 unless the person is licensed as required under W.S.A. Chapter 460 as required under W.S.A. §460.02. ... (c) No person may employ or contract for the services of an individual to provide massage therapy or bodywork therapy who is required to be licensed under W.S.A. §460.02 unless the individual is licensed under W.S.A. Chapter 460. (d) Penalties. Any person who shall violate any provision of this section may be subject to a forfeiture of no more than one hundred dollars ($100) for the first offense and no more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for the second and subsequent offenses. Each day that a violation occurs shall be considered a separate offense. (Ord 11-20, §1, 2-11-2020)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
The city repealed its standalone massage establishment licensing article (former Article IX, Secs. 9-423 through 9-490) by Ordinance No. 36-05, effective April 26, 2005, so Appleton no longer issues a separate municipal massage-parlor or establishment license. In its place, City Code Sec. 10-50, adopted by Ordinance 11-20 on February 11, 2020, ties local enforcement directly to the state licensing scheme. Subsection (a) adopts the definitions in Wis. Stat. 01 for massage therapy and bodywork therapy. Subsection (b) makes it a violation of city code for a person to practice massage therapy or bodywork therapy in Appleton without holding the license required under Wis.
Stat. Chapter 460, mirroring the prohibition in Wis. Stat. 02. 02 but is not licensed under Chapter 460. That means a massage establishment operating in Appleton, whether a day spa, chiropractic office, or standalone massage business, is on the hook if it staffs an unlicensed therapist, not just the therapist. There is no city permit fee, inspection regime, or zoning overlay specific to massage businesses left in the code; state licensing administered by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services is the operative credential, and the city ordinance exists to give Appleton's own enforcement staff and municipal court a local charge to bring rather than relying solely on the state.
Violations & Fines
Any violation of Sec. 10-50, whether practicing unlicensed or employing an unlicensed therapist, is punishable by a forfeiture of up to $100 for a first offense and up to $250 for a second or subsequent offense. Each day the violation continues counts as a separate offense, so an establishment that keeps an unlicensed therapist on staff can accumulate daily forfeitures until the person is licensed or removed from patient-facing work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Appleton issue its own massage establishment license?
Can a spa or clinic be cited if its therapist is unlicensed?
What does an unlicensed practice or employment violation cost in Appleton?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Appleton
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