Chino Hills, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- Operator permit required
- since January 1, 2024
- Permit term
- 2 years, non-transferable
- Decision timeline
- 30 days (60 with background check)
- CUP required
- unless operating before June 12, 2015
- Civil penalty
- up to $500 per violation
- Off-premises massage barred
- 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Appeal window
- 15 days under Chapter 1.20
Summary
Since January 1, 2024, no one may own or manage a massage establishment in Chino Hills without a City operator permit under Municipal Code Section 5.24.035. Owners also need a conditional use permit under Title 16, Appendix A (unless already lawfully operating before June 12, 2015) plus a standard business license, and every technician needs CAMTC certification or a City background clearance.
Beginning January 1, 2024, no person shall own or manage any massage establishment in any location within the city without first having obtained an operator permit and no massage establishment may be operated within the city unless every owner and manager thereof possesses a valid operator permit.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 61).
Full Breakdown
035 is the linchpin: every owner and manager of a massage establishment in the city must hold one, and an establishment cannot operate unless every owner and manager holds a valid permit. 050, which carries its own nonrefundable fee plus an annual renewal charge. The Director must issue or deny the permit within thirty days of a complete application, extended to sixty days if a background clearance is required. Permits run two years and cannot be sold or transferred; a change of ownership or management must be reported to the Director immediately.
060 requires a conditional use permit under Title 16, Appendix A before any establishment opens, except locations lawfully operating before June 12, 2015, which continue as nonconforming uses, and every operator still needs the city's standard business license. 100 require 900-lumen lighting in treatment rooms, separate male and female dressing and toilet facilities, unlocked exterior doors during business hours, and unobstructed street-facing windows. 090(I). 115.
Violations & Fines
A permit holder who commits fraud, employs an uncertified technician, or racks up three or more civil penalties within six months faces revocation under Section 5.24.130. The City Attorney can also sue civilly for up to $500 per violation plus attorneys' fees under Section 5.24.140, and Section 5.24.160 sends any violation of the chapter to the general misdemeanor penalty at Section 1.36.010: up to a $1,000 fine, six months in county jail, or both. Denials and revocations are appealable to the City Clerk within fifteen days under Chapter 1.20.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a business license in addition to the operator permit?
What if a technician does not have CAMTC certification?
Can the city revoke my permit?
What hours can off-premises massage be performed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chino Hills
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