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Washoe County, NV Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

License holder
business, separate from therapist's state license
Minimum applicant age
18 years old
On-site supervision
licensed therapist required at all open hours
Disqualifying convictions
fraud, prostitution, sexual assault, indecent exposure (10 yrs)
Draping rule
genitals, female breasts covered at all times

Summary

Operating a massage business in unincorporated Washoe County requires a separate business license from the License Division, on top of each therapist's individual state massage therapist license, and the county can deny or revoke it for fraud, prostitution, or sexual-assault convictions in the past ten years. On-site supervision by a state-licensed therapist is mandatory whenever the business is open.

City-specific rules exist: Reno has its own massage establishments rules that differ from Washoe County's county-level regulations. If you live in Reno, check the city-specific page instead.

Except as provided in section 25.259, it is unlawful for any person to operate, manage or maintain a business wherein massages are performed unless he holds a valid massage business license issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. ... A massage establishment business license allows for an establishment to be used for the purpose of massage and does not license or permit any individual to perform such massage. Massage therapist licenses for individuals are separate and distinct from massage establishment business licenses. ... It is unlawful for the holder of a massage therapist's license to allow the genital area of male and female clients or the breasts of female clients to be uncovered at any time. The genital area of male and female clients and the breasts of female clients shall be covered by a sheet, towel, or other opaque clothing at all times.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 20 Update 2).

Full Breakdown

229 requires a massage business license before anyone operates, manages, or maintains a business where massages are performed, and the license is issued for a specific location, separate from any individual massage therapist's state license. 231 requires applicants to be at least 18 years old and to disclose massage-industry history, any prior license denials, revocations, or suspensions, and all criminal convictions other than misdemeanor traffic offenses. 239 lets the License Division deny, revoke, or refuse to renew the business license if the applicant was convicted in the past ten years of fraud, prostitution, solicitation, sexual assault, or indecent exposure, had a similar license revoked for the same reasons within the past five years, or is under 18.

244 bars a massage therapist or employee from touching the genital or anal area of any patron or the breasts of a female patron, requires the covered body areas to stay draped by a sheet, towel, or opaque clothing throughout the massage, and bars performing a massage on anyone under 18 unless a parent or guardian is present. 253 requires the premises to be supervised at all times when open, with at least one Nevada-licensed massage therapist on-site throughout business hours, and makes the business licensee responsible for any employee's violation of the chapter. 259 exempts licensed health care facilities and providers, and licensed barbers and cosmetologists performing their own licensed trade, from the massage business license requirement.

Violations & Fines

Operating a massage business without the WCC 25.229 license, allowing an employee to work without a Nevada massage therapist license, or violating the draping and conduct rules in WCC 25.244 exposes the business licensee to license denial, suspension, or revocation under WCC 25.239, in addition to any separate criminal charge for the underlying conduct.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a massage therapist need a separate license from the business?
Yes. WCC 25.229 treats the massage business license and each therapist's individual license as separate and distinct; the business license authorizes the location to be used for massage, while every person performing a massage must separately hold a Nevada State Board of Massage Therapists license.
Can a massage business be denied a license for a past conviction?
Yes. WCC 25.239 allows denial if the applicant was convicted within the past ten years of fraud, prostitution, solicitation, sexual assault, or indecent exposure, or had a similar license revoked for those reasons within the past five years in any jurisdiction.
Must someone be on-site during massage business hours?
Yes. WCC 25.253 requires a Nevada-licensed massage therapist on the premises the entire time the business is open, and the licensee is responsible if any employee violates the chapter's conduct or sanitation rules.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Washoe County

All Washoe County rules

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