Craven County, NC Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Article II of Chapter 10 regulates massage parlors, health salons and similar establishments countywide. Section 10-53(a) forbids any massage parlor, massage establishment or health club from operating without first obtaining a premises license, and no premises license issues to an owner who does not meet the article's regulations. Section 10-53(c) separately bars anyone from working as, or being employed as, a masseur or masseuse without an individual operator's license. Licensing is administered out of the county manager's office: applicants file sworn statements on their criminal history covering the last five years, submit to fingerprinting and photographing, and pay fees the Board of Commissioners sets from time to time.

00 reprocessing fee applies to any change to an application. Licenses expire December 31 each year and must be renewed at least 30 days before expiration with Board of Commissioners approval. m. Article II also layers on operational rules: sanitation standards under § 10-26, a patron-records requirement under § 10-32, and a bar on cross-sex massage without a physician's order under § 10-25. The sheriff, county health department, inspection department and fire marshal's office may all inspect a licensed premises during business hours under § 10-57, and the Board of Commissioners can revoke a license after notice and a hearing on evidence of a violation, a violent or morally turpitudinous crime, or a nuisance on the premises.