El Paso massage establishments must obtain a city business license under Chapter 7 and verify therapists hold current Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) credentials before performing any therapeutic massage services.
Massage businesses operate under TDLR state licensing (Texas Occupations Code Chapter 455) plus El Paso Municipal Code Chapter 7 business registration. Each therapist must hold an active TDLR license; the establishment must hold a state massage establishment license. El Paso requires a Certificate of Occupancy and zoning compliance under Title 20. Sexually-oriented services are governed separately under Chapter 18 with stricter buffer rules near schools, churches, and residential zones. Inspections by EPPD vice and city code occur on complaint basis.
Operating an unlicensed massage establishment, allowing unlicensed therapists, or violating zoning buffers can result in fines up to $500 per day, license revocation, and possible criminal referral.
See how El Paso's massage establishments rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.