Canton, OH Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Canton Codified Ordinances § 785.02 imposes three separate license duties: subsection (a) bars anyone from engaging in, offering or advertising the operation of a massage establishment unless it is licensed under Chapter 785; subsection (b) bars anyone from working as a massage technician in the City without a technician license; and subsection (c) bars offering or advertising massage services anywhere other than a licensed massage establishment. Section 785.04 sets the application process through the City License Inspector, with a nonrefundable $300 filing fee and disclosure of the applicant's name, address, social security number, business history for the prior three years, and any criminal convictions within the last five years.

The License Inspector must deny a license if the proposed operation would not comply with the Building, Health, Planning, Housing, Zoning or Fire Codes, or if the applicant was convicted within five years of a felony, sexual misconduct with children, keeping a house of ill fame, solicitation, prostitution, pandering, or a crime involving dishonesty, fraud or deceit. Licenses run for one year from issuance under § 785.04(e) and can be renewed by filing at least thirty days before expiration. Section 785.03 exempts hospitals, nursing homes, public health centers, and state-licensed medical, chiropractic, nursing and cosmetology professionals acting within their licensed scope.

Section 785.13 requires the license to be displayed conspicuously so it is visible to persons entering the premises, and § 785.14 bars transferring a license without written consent of the Director of Public Service/Safety and the Health Commissioner's approval.