Cleveland, OH Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

02 bars anyone from operating a massage establishment in Cleveland without first obtaining a permit from the Commissioner of Assessments and Licenses, issued only after approval by the Health Officer. 03 requires a sworn, duplicate application and a non-refundable $200 filing fee paid to the City Treasurer; the Commissioner must refer the application within 5 days to the Fire Division, Health Commissioner, Building Inspection Division, and Police Division, each of which has 30 days to inspect the premises and report on compliance, with a further 30-day investigation period allowed.

04 requires extensive background disclosure from the applicant and any partner, officer, or 2%-plus shareholder, including three years of residential addresses, business history, all criminal or ordinance convictions in the last five years, and fingerprints and photographs taken within 30 days of the application. 05 lets the Commissioner deny a permit if the applicant or any manager was convicted within the last five years of a felony, sexual misconduct with a minor, prostitution-related offenses, pandering, pimping, or any crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude; a granted permit expires after one year.

06 allows revocation or suspension after a hearing for chapter violations, employee misconduct the permittee knew or should have known about, false statements on the application, or refusal to allow inspection, with at least 10 days' written notice and a right to appeal to the Board of Appeals under Charter Section 76-6. 07 separately requires every masseur or masseuse to hold an individual permit.