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

The license comes from the massage parlor licensing authority established at City Code § 22-164, whose members are the city council with the mayor serving as chairperson; the police department handles routine inspections of licensed premises. Every applicant, partner, officer, and manager must be named on the application, photographed, and fingerprinted by the Arvada Police Department, and must show proof of zoning compliance and right to possess the premises under § 22-167. Along with the $500 nonrefundable application fee (§ 22-166), a new license costs $150 and the annual renewal is $150 (§ 22-174); none of it is refunded if the license is suspended, revoked, or the business closes.

Every masseur or masseuse who works on the licensed premises must also carry a $50 photo identification card issued by the city clerk under § 22-175, replaced for $10 if lost. Location is tightly restricted under § 22-173: a parlor cannot sit within 750 feet of a church, school, child care facility, public park, or residential property, within 1,000 feet of another massage parlor or licensed adult business, or share a building with another massage parlor, and once licensed a parlor cannot relocate. The licensing authority can suspend or revoke a license under § 22-176 for grounds including two public-peace disturbances in 12 months, illegal alcohol or drug activity on the premises, prostitution, false statements on an application, or employing anyone under 18; a revoked license bars reapplication for one year. Section 22-177 bars issuance to anyone lacking good moral character, including any peace officer or licensing-authority employee.