Berkeley, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- Department of Finance
- Background check agency
- Berkeley Police Department
- Permit term
- 2 years, nontransferable
- Renewal deadline
- 60 days before expiration
- Application decision window
- 30 days from completed filing
- CAMTC-only exemption
- Available under § 9.32.060(C)
Summary
Operating a massage establishment in Berkeley without a permit is unlawful under BMC § 9.32.060. Establishments that employ only CAMTC-certified therapists can skip the permit under narrow conditions, but everyone else must apply through the Department of Finance, pass a police background check, and renew every two years.
It is unlawful for any person to operate a Massage Establishment in the City without first having obtained a permit to operate such pursuant to this Chapter. Every applicant for a Massage Establishment permit shall file an application with the Department of Finance upon a form to be provided by said Department and pay a filing fee which shall be non-refundable. The following entities are exempt from filing for permits for a Massage Establishment: A. Any California state-licensed hospitals, nursing homes, sanitariums or other state-licensed physical or mental health facilities. B. Any Approved Massage Schools as that term is defined in Section 4600 of the California Business and Professions Code.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 8031-NS, passed July 28, 2026).
Full Breakdown
060 makes it unlawful to operate a Massage Establishment in Berkeley without first obtaining a permit, requiring applicants to file with the Department of Finance and pay a nonrefundable filing fee. 5 of the Business and Professions Code. 010 does not itself trigger the permit requirement under subsection D. 080 requires the Berkeley Police Department to investigate each owner's and operator's criminal history, and the permit must be denied if any of them was convicted of a Penal Code § 290 registrable offense, a violent felony, sexual misconduct with children, or offenses under Penal Code §§ 266i, 647(a), 647(b), 315, 316, or 318. 110. 130.
Violations & Fines
Violating any provision of BMC Chapter 9.32 is a misdemeanor punishable under Chapter 1.20 and may also draw an administrative citation under Chapter 1.28, with each day of violation counted as a separate offense under § 9.32.150. The Department of Finance can suspend or revoke a permit after a hearing when the chapter is violated under § 9.32.140, and the permit holder must exercise no rights under the permit during any suspension; a suspension or revocation may be appealed to the City Manager within ten days of the mailed decision, and the City Manager's ruling is final.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to open a massage establishment in Berkeley?
What disqualifies an owner from getting a Berkeley massage establishment permit?
How long does a Berkeley massage establishment permit last?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Berkeley
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