Ceres, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issued by
- City of Ceres (Chief of Police)
- Practitioner requirement
- Valid CAMTC certificate
- Allowed hours
- 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. only
- Filing fee
- Set by City Council resolution, nonrefundable
Summary
Ceres requires a City-issued massage establishment permit before anyone opens or operates a massage business, on top of state CAMTC certification for every practitioner.
No person shall conduct, or permit the operation of a massage establishment on their premises, without first having obtained a massage establishment permit issued by the City. It is unlawful for a massage establishment to continue to operate following the sale or transfer of any interest in the massage establishment to any person who was not identified as an owner in the massage establishment permit application. If a massage business is sold, the new owner must apply for a license for that location before conducting business as a massage establishment. Upon the sale of a massage business, the current permittee shall notify the Finance Department of the sale.
(Ord. No. 2020-1057, § 1, 3-23-2020)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
Ceres Municipal Code Chapter 5.16 makes it unlawful to conduct or permit a massage establishment without first obtaining a City permit, and separately unlawful to provide massage for compensation without a valid California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) certificate. The Chief of Police or designee investigates, issues, suspends, and revokes permits. Establishments must be located in a zoning district that allows the use, keep a manager on-site during business hours, post permits and a price list, and may not operate between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Selling the business requires the new owner to apply for their own permit before operating.
Violations & Fines
Operating without a permit, employing a non-CAMTC-certified practitioner, or operating outside 10:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m. hours can result in permit suspension or revocation by the Chief of Police.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I operate a massage business in Ceres without a city permit?
What hours can a Ceres massage establishment operate?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ceres
California rules heatmap·Compare Ceres to another location·View the California business licensing & operations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.