Chicago, IL Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- License type
- Regulated business license (BACP)
- Fine range
- $500 to $5,000 per offense
- Employee age
- Must be at least 18
- Therapist license
- Required under IL Massage Licensing Act
Summary
Chicago requires anyone operating a massage establishment to hold a city regulated business license from the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, with individual therapists separately licensed under state law.
Every applicant for a license to maintain, operate or conduct a massage establishment shall file an application, under oath, with the Department. The Department shall advise the applicant in writing as to whether the application has been granted or denied. If the application is denied or held for further investigation, the Department shall advise the applicant in writing of the reason for such denial or hold. The failure or refusal of the applicant to promptly give any information relevant to the investigation of the application, or the submission of false, misleading or incomplete information on the application, or the refusal or failure of applicant to appear at any reasonable time and place for examination under oath regarding said application, or the refusal of applicant to submit to or cooperate with any inspection required under this code, shall be grounds for denial of the application.
(2) Application contents. The application for a license to operate a massage establishment shall set forth the exact nature of the massage to be administered and the proposed place and facilities thereof. An application for such a license shall be made in conformity with the general requirements of this code relating to license. The application shall be signed under oath by the owner of the business for which a license is sought. If the owner is a corporation, the application shall be signed by an authorized officer of the
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-74: Current through Council Journal of June 17, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Every massage establishment in Chicago must obtain a regulated business license from the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection before opening, per MCC § 4-6-320(b)(1). Applicants file under oath, and license issuance depends on background review: the Commissioner can deny or revoke a license for cause, including any criminal-statute violation by the licensee or staff. Employees performing massage must hold an individual license under the Illinois Massage Licensing Act, and establishments cannot hire anyone under 18 except licensed therapists. Violators face a fine of $500 to $5,000 per offense, with repeat violations charged as a misdemeanor punishable by jail time.
Violations & Fines
Fine of $500 to $5,000 per offense; license revocation or suspension for cause; repeat violations are a misdemeanor punishable by county jail time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do individual massage therapists need their own license in Chicago?
What happens if a massage establishment operates without a city license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chicago
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Massage Establishments in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cook County handle massage establishments.