Burleson, TX Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- License term
- Expires December 31 of each year
- Approvals needed
- Health officer, chief of police, building official certificate
- Fee
- Council-approved amount; one-half if obtained July 1 through December 31
- Employee health certificate
- Valid for six months, then renewed
- Closing hours
- Closed between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m.
- Appeal window
- Ten days to file a written appeal with the city manager
Summary
In the City of Burleson, Texas, operating a massage establishment without a city license is unlawful. Under § 14-312 the license needs written approval from the health officer and chief of police plus a certificate of occupancy from the building official, expires on December 31 of each year, and must be posted in a conspicuous place.
(a) Required; conditions of issuance; term; display. (1) Required.It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a massage establishment without first having obtained a license therefor from the city in accordance with the provisions of this article, or to operate a massage establishment after such license has been revoked, or during a period for which such license has been suspended. (2) Conditions.Such license shall be issued only upon the payment of the fee specified in this article, and upon the approval in writing of the health officer and of the chief of police and upon the issuance of a certification of occupancy from the building official. (3) Expiration.Such license shall expire on December 31 of each year. (4) Display.The license shall be posted and kept in some conspicuous place in the massage establishment. ... (c) Fees.The license fee for each establishment shall be the amount as approved by the city council.
Full Breakdown
Article VI of Chapter 14 of the Burleson Code of Ordinances governs massage establishments, and § 14-312 is the licensing section. The license is issued only after the fee is paid, the health officer and the chief of police approve in writing, and the building official issues a certification of occupancy. It expires on December 31 of each year. The fee is the amount approved by the city council: the full amount for a license obtained between January 1 and June 30, one-half for a license obtained between July 1 and December 31, and no refund of license fees.
The chief of police is the principal enforcement officer. On an original or renewal application the chief determines whether the applicant, or anyone the establishment employs, has been finally convicted of a crime of moral turpitude, and must refuse approval if so. At application the owner furnishes the names and addresses of all employees to the chief of police and the health officer. Each employee needs a medical certificate showing freedom from infectious or communicable disease, valid for six months and then renewed.
Operating standards sit in the same article. No establishment can be kept open between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m. (§ 14-313). Operation in any section of the city zoned for residential purposes is unlawful (§ 14-315). The licensee must keep a written daily patron register (§ 14-317) and post a list of services and charges in writing and numbers of a size of not less than one inch (§ 14-318). The health officer and chief of police can inspect, and if entry is refused they apply to a magistrate for a search warrant (§ 14-319).
Violations & Fines
The chief of police revokes a license for causes listed in § 14-312(d), including a moral turpitude conviction, massage of prohibited body areas, missing medical certificates, a bad patron ledger, hours violations, refusing inspection, and failing to post services. A conviction for operating in violation of law suspends the license for not less than 30 days nor more than 90 days, and an employee's moral turpitude conviction brings a 90 day suspension. Under § 14-320 a violation is a misdemeanor with a fine of not less than $1.00, within the limit prescribed in section 1-14.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a massage business need a license in the City of Burleson?
Who approves a Burleson massage establishment license?
How much is the license fee and is it prorated?
How do I appeal a denial or revocation in Burleson?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Burleson
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