Richland County, SC Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited operating hours
- 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
- State license required
- SC Title 40, Ch. 30
- Employee/hygiene record
- List of names/addresses on-site
- Max criminal penalty
- $500 fine / 30 days jail
- Legal authority
- SC Code §§ 4-9-25, 4-9-30
Summary
Richland County bans massage and bodywork establishments from staying open between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., requires every therapist to hold the state license and post it on-site, and bars operators from knowingly employing anyone with a prior sexual-misconduct-with-a-child conviction. Violations are a misdemeanor with a $500 fine and 30 days in jail.
(9) Hours of operation. No bodywork, health massage or massage establishment shall be kept open for any purpose between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. on any day. ... (13) Penalties. Failure to comply with any of the requirements of this section shall constitute a violation punishable by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00) and imprisonment not exceeding thirty (30) days. Each day any violation of this section continues shall constitute a separate offense.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-24: This supplement is current through Ordinance No. 033-25HR).
Full Breakdown
Sec. C. Code §§ 4-9-25 and 4-9-30, regulates health massage, bodywork therapy and massage establishments to curb secondary effects such as commercial sex operations and human trafficking, while stating it does not restrict lawful access to legitimate massage services (Sec. 16-23(1), (2)). Licensed medical professionals, athletic trainers, personal trainers, cosmetologists and barbers who do not hold themselves out as offering massage are exempt (Sec. 16-23(4)). Every establishment must be licensed by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation under the Massage/Bodywork Practice Act (Title 40, Chapter 30) and must display both that license and the county business license where the public and code officers can see them (Sec.
16-23(6)). No establishment may include rooms used for residential or sleeping purposes unless properly zoned as a residence and separated by a solid wall or door, except an on-premises hotel spa (Sec. 16-23(8)). on any day (Sec. 16-23(9)). Operators must keep an on-premises list of all employee names and addresses for inspection (Sec. 16-23(10)) and may not knowingly employ anyone with a prior conviction for sexual misconduct with a child (Sec. 16-23(11)). C. Code § 4-9-145 may inspect the premises, though entry into a room where bodywork is actively being performed requires the client's consent or a warrant (Sec. 16-23(12)).
Violations & Fines
Failure to comply with any requirement of Sec. 16-23 is punishable by a fine up to $500 and imprisonment up to 30 days, with each day of continuing violation treated as a separate offense; the county may also seek an injunction or a stop-work order (Sec. 16-23(13)). These penalties apply on top of, not instead of, other applicable nuisance and sexually oriented business ordinances (Sec. 16-23(14)).
Frequently Asked Questions
What hours can a massage establishment operate in Richland County?
Do massage therapists need a separate state license in Richland County?
Can code enforcement inspect a massage establishment without notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Richland County
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