Wake County, NC Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- License issued by
- Wake County Tax Collector
- License term
- 12 months, expires Dec. 31
- Operating hours
- 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. only
- Minors
- Barred without physician's written order
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor; grounds for revocation
Summary
Wake County requires a county license from the Tax Collector before operating a massage parlor, health salon or physical culture studio, with approval turning on the applicant's moral character.
Any person desiring to engage in the business, or the operation, or carrying on any of the businesses, trades or professions mentioned in § 112.02 shall, before engaging in the business, trade, profession, occupation or calling, file an application for a license addressed to the Tax Collector. The application shall be in writing and shall set forth the following:
(1) Name and address of the applicant; if the applicant be a corporation, the address or addresses of the corporation; and
(2) Qualifications must be plainly stated and must be submitted together with required exhibits attached to the application.
(B) Upon receipt of the application for a county license prescribed by this chapter, the Tax Collector, if satisfied as to the qualifications of the applicant, as set forth in § 112.21, under the provisions of this section, and if satisfied as to the correctness of the information contained in the application, shall issue a county license to the applicant to engage in the business, trade, employment or profession in the name of and at the place set out in the application. If the Tax Collector shall not be satisfied as to the qualifications of the applicant or the correctness of the information, or of his or her good moral character, or the good moral character of the person designated by the applying corporation as the operator or manager, if the applicant is a corporation, he
Full Breakdown
Under Wake County Code Chapter 112, anyone operating a massage parlor, health salon, physical culture studio or similar establishment must file a license application with the Tax Collector before opening, per § 112.20(A). The Tax Collector can refuse the license if unsatisfied with the applicant's qualifications, the accuracy of the application, or the applicant's good moral character; a denial can be appealed to the Board of Commissioners under § 112.20(B). Licensed employees must be reported to the Sheriff, hours are limited to 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m., and patrons under 18 are barred without a physician's written order.
Violations & Fines
Operating without an unexpired license, failing to post it, or letting an employee work unlicensed is a misdemeanor under § 112.24(B) and § 112.25(C); grounds for revocation include filing false statements or sexual misconduct during treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Wake County require a license to open a massage business?
Can the county deny or revoke a massage license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wake County
Compare Wake County to another location·View the North Carolina business licensing & operations overview
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