Arvada, CO Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Section 22-165 of the Arvada City Code does two things. Subsection (a) makes it unlawful to operate a massage parlor in the city until the operator has first obtained a massage parlor license from the city, and subsection (b) requires that license to be prominently displayed at all times on the premises it was issued for. The license is tied to one business at one address: under § 22-170(f), a separate license is issued for each specific business or business entity and each geographical location.

The definition in § 22-163 sets the reach of the rule. A massage parlor is an establishment providing massage, but the term excludes accredited schools, athletic team training rooms and licensed health care facilities, and a facility operated for massage therapy performed by a state-registered massage therapist is not a massage parlor. Section 22-182 separately exempts physicians, nurses, barbers and cosmetologists working within their own licensed professions.

The licensing authority is the Arvada City Council, with the mayor presiding (§ 22-164). The applicant files with the city clerk and pays a $500.00 application fee (§ 22-166). Every individual applicant, partner, officer, director, ten percent holder and manager is named on the form and photographed and fingerprinted by the city police department, and the applicant must furnish evidence that the proposed establishment meets the zoning ordinance (§ 22-167). The clerk rejects any application that is not complete in every detail and returns the fees with it.

After a complete application, the council sets a public hearing not less than 30 days after filing, with a sign posted on the premises and a newspaper notice published not less than ten days before the hearing (§ 22-168). The city sends its written findings to the applicant at least five days before the hearing, and the council issues a written decision within 30 days after it (§ 22-170). No license issues until the building is ready for occupancy and inspected, and if the building is not built or operating within one year after approval, the council can revoke the license or decline to renew it.

A license runs for one year at $150.00 for a new license and $150.00 for renewal, with no refund after suspension, revocation or closing (§ 22-174). Renewal applications are due not less than 45 days before expiration (§ 22-171).