Detroit, MI Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- Licensing agency
- Buildings, Safety Engineering & Environmental Dept.
- License expires
- October 31 annually
- Background check
- Police review, 10-year lookback
- On-site staffing
- State-licensed therapist (MCL 333.17957) required
- Max penalty
- $500 fine, 90 days jail
Summary
Every massage facility and massage school in Detroit must obtain an annual license from the Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department Business License Center before opening or operating.
It shall be unlawful to conduct or to maintain any massage facility or massage school in the City without first having obtained a license from the Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department Business License Center to operate such business.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
Detroit City Code Chapter 20, Article V requires anyone operating a massage facility or massage school to hold a license issued by the Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department Business License Center (Sec. 20-5-21). Before issuance, the Buildings Department, Fire Marshal, and Health Department must certify compliance with zoning, building, fire, and food-sanitation codes, and the Police Chief must confirm the applicant has no disqualifying convictions within the past ten years for offenses like criminal sexual conduct or prostitution (Sec. 20-5-24, 20-5-25). Licenses expire October 31 each year and require renewal by November 1. A state-licensed massage therapist (MCL 333.17957) must be on-site during business hours (Sec. 20-5-6).
Violations & Fines
Operating without a license is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $500 and 90 days in jail per violation, with each day of continued operation a separate offense (Sec. 20-5-2).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does each massage therapist need a separate city license?
When does a Detroit massage facility license expire?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Detroit
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Massage Establishments in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Wayne County handle massage establishments.