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Atlanta, GA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

License required
before operating, § 30-951
Annual license fee
$2,000.00
Investigative fee
$100.00, nonrefundable
Inspections
at least 4 times per year
Issuing agency
Atlanta Department of Police

Summary

Atlanta requires a police-issued license to operate a massage establishment, with a $2,000 annual fee, a $100 investigative fee, and inspections at least four times a year.

It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a massage establishment without having obtained a license therefor or for any person to allow a massage technician to administer massages without first having obtained the license required by this division.

Source: OCGA Title 43, Ch. 24AView official code

Full Breakdown

Operating a massage establishment in Atlanta without a license is unlawful under City Code § 30-951. Applicants file with the Atlanta Police Department, pay a nonrefundable $100 investigative fee plus a $2,000 annual license fee, and must pass an inspection covering signage, lighting, ventilation, sterilizing equipment, and sanitary linen storage before a license issues. Licenses are nontransferable, valid one year, and inspected at least quarterly.

Violations & Fines

Operating unlicensed is unlawful under § 30-951. The license review board can revoke a license for falsified applications, employing unlicensed massage technicians, building/fire code violations, or disqualifying criminal convictions; a revoked operator cannot reapply for 12 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do sole-proprietor massage technicians need this license?
No. Section 30-953(a) exempts a massage technician who is a sole proprietor from the massage establishment license requirement.
How much does an Atlanta massage establishment license cost?
A $100 nonrefundable investigative fee with the application, plus a $2,000 license fee paid before the annual license is issued, per § 30-956.

Sources & Official References

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