Columbus, IN Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Chapter 5.24 of the Columbus Municipal Code starts from an exemption list. A person can run a massage establishment, massage therapy practice or work as a massage therapist, masseuse or masseur with no city permit when certified as a Certified Massage Therapist or Massage Therapist by the Indiana State Board of Massage Therapy with the certification displayed, when licensed as a nurse, physician, chiropractor, osteopath, cosmetologist, esthetician, physical therapist or assistant physical therapist with the license displayed, or when enrolled as a student at a state-accredited massage therapy institute. All other businesses and persons employed must obtain a city permit.

The Columbus Board of Public Works and Safety, through forms from the city clerk, receives the establishment application, which asks for ten years of residence addresses, ten years of employment history, a list of convictions, a copy of an Indiana driver's license or state ID, the number of tables, showers or stalls, and fingerprints taken within the previous sixty days by the Columbus Police Department. Each employee or independent contractor files a separate verified application, including proof of citizenship or legal residence. The Board votes to approve or deny. Changes to the application must be reported to the city clerk in writing within thirty days.

The Board can deny a permit for a conviction within the preceding five years for violence, moral turpitude or a sex offense, a surrendered or revoked massage permit within five years, a false statement, an incomplete application, premises that violate any law, or a missing state license. A denied applicant has fifteen days to appeal and gets a refund of the permit fee.

Permits run one year. Renewal applications are accepted not more than sixty days nor less than thirty days before expiration.

Operating rules in § 5.24.100 bar anyone under eighteen from performing massage, require opaque outer garments over sexual and genital areas, require patrons to be covered, post price rates in the reception area, and open the premises to inspection by police officers, health and fire inspectors during business hours. Section 5.24.080 adds waterproof wet rooms, disinfecting equipment, closed linen cabinets, and lavatories with hot and cold running water.