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Harford County, MD Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

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

Key Facts

License issued by
Dept. of Licenses and Permits
Annual license fee
$50, expires every July 1
Application investigation fee
$25, nonrefundable
Prohibited hours
12:00 midnight to 8:00 a.m.
Penalty
up to $1,000 fine / 6 months, revocation

Summary

Harford County bars anyone from running a massage establishment without a license from the Department of Licenses and Permits, and every massagist must register separately under Section 166-4. Doctors, nurses, hospitals and qualifying health clubs are exempt under Section 166-3.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Harford County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

It shall be unlawful for any person to maintain, operate or conduct a massage establishment within Harford County without a license issued by the Department of Licenses and Permits, unless exempted in § 166-3.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4988582; v46 updated 2026-06-09; through 06-09-2026).

Full Breakdown

Section 166-2 makes it unlawful to maintain, operate or conduct a massage establishment in the county without a Department of Licenses and Permits license unless the Section 166-3 exemptions apply. Applicants file a signed application under Section 166-5 with a floor plan, a 2x2 photo, a physical description, criminal history disclosure and a $25 nonrefundable investigation fee; successor licenses renew before April 1 each year. If the Department's recommendation is favorable, Section 166-7 sets a $50 annual fee, with the license terminating every July 1 and displayed inside the establishment; Section 166-8 makes it non-transferable.

, treating opposite-sex clients in the same room, or providing any service the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene deems dangerous, and Section 166-9B bars tolerating conduct that violates Maryland's obscenity and prostitution laws. Section 166-10 authorizes inspections during business hours, with denial of entry itself grounds for revocation, and Section 166-11 lets the Department revoke or suspend a license for any chapter violation.

Violations & Fines

Section 166-13 makes any violation a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 in fines, up to six months in jail, or both, with each day of violation a separate offense. Section 166-9D and Section 166-13B require the Department to revoke the license immediately upon conviction, on top of the court penalty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is exempt from Harford County's massage establishment license?
Section 166-3 exempts Maryland-licensed physicians, surgeons, osteopaths, chiropractors and therapists, registered nurses under a physician's direction, hospitals, medical clinics and nursing homes, athletic trainers, and health spas or clubs of at least 3,000 square feet where massage is incidental and uses no more than 10% of the space.
Can a massage establishment operate overnight in Harford County?
No. Section 166-9A makes it unlawful for any licensed massage establishment to remain open or provide services between 12:00 midnight and 8:00 a.m. Violating the hours restriction is a misdemeanor under Section 166-13 and gives the Department grounds to revoke the establishment's license immediately upon conviction.
How much does a Harford County massage establishment license cost?
Applicants pay a $25 nonrefundable investigation fee with the application under Section 166-5, then a $50 annual license fee under Section 166-7 if the Department recommends approval. The license terminates every July 1 unless renewed, and Section 166-8 makes it non-transferable to a new owner or location.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Harford County

All Harford County rules

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