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

Section 15-266 defines a "massage establishment" as any for-profit business that employs or contracts massage therapists or operates massage apparatus and offers the public facilities and personnel for massages; hospitals and other state-licensed health facilities are excluded. Section 15-267(b) makes it unlawful to operate a massage establishment, or to let an unlicensed therapist work there, without an establishment license. Applicants file sworn, notarized applications with the finance department under Section 15-269, including three residents' affidavits of good moral character, two photographs, a three-year address and employment history, all convictions, and full DeKalb police fingerprinting at the applicant's expense.

Section 15-270(b) requires an establishment applicant to be free of a qualifying felony or moral-turpitude conviction for four years, to be Georgia-chartered or authorized, to post a readable sign identifying the business as a massage establishment, to provide minimum lighting and ventilation, and to bar ordinary beds or mattresses. Section 15-275 further bans massaging genitals or the anus, bans storing or serving alcohol on premises, requires the license displayed conspicuously, requires records of every client and therapist kept available to the finance department or police, and bars patrons under 18 without a physician's order or parental consent.

Licenses run one year, are nontransferable under Section 15-272, and renew annually under Section 15-274. Section 15-276 requires a due-cause hearing before the alcoholic beverage review board before revocation, with written notice at least ten days ahead; Section 15-277(b) lists grounds including employee felony convictions, building or health-code violations, and false application information. A revoked licensee cannot reapply for twelve months.