Palm Beach County, FL Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- County license
- None; state licenses via Ch. 480
- Governing state law
- Chapter 480, Florida Statutes
- County code section
- Code § 17-149
- Zoning requirement
- Personal Services use, ULDC Art. 4.B.2.C.27
- Regulator
- DBPR Board of Massage Therapy
Summary
Palm Beach County doesn't license massage establishments itself: Code § 17-149 defers entirely to the state Board of Massage under Chapter 480, Florida Statutes, and a studio still needs zoning approval as a Personal Services use.
It is not the intent of the Board to legislate, limit or conflict with respect to matters of massage establishments which are regulated by state agency, the department of professional regulation, board of massage, and by State law, Chapter 480, Florida Statutes.
Full Breakdown
Under Code § 17-149, the Board of County Commissioners states it is not the intent to legislate, limit, or conflict with matters of massage establishments, which are regulated by the state Department of Business and Professional Regulation's Board of Massage Therapy under Chapter 480, Florida Statutes. The county issues no separate massage establishment license. A massage business locating in unincorporated Palm Beach County still needs zoning sign-off: the ULDC lists 'licensed therapeutic massage studios' as a typical use under the Personal Services classification (Art. 4.B.2.C.27), permitted by right up to 3,000 square feet in the CN district or approvable as an accessory use elsewhere.
Violations & Fines
The state Board of Massage enforces Chapter 480 violations, not the county. A massage business exposing specified anatomical areas to patrons instead falls under the county's Adult Entertainment Code, § 17-147, requiring a separate license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Palm Beach County issue a massage establishment license?
Do I still need county approval to open a massage studio in unincorporated Palm Beach County?
What about massage businesses in Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, or other cities in the county?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Beach County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Palm Beach County to another location·View the Florida business licensing & operations overview
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