Farmington Hills, MI Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Sec. 16-16 makes it unlawful to operate a massage therapy establishment without a valid license issued under Chapter 16, required for each separate office or place of business. Sec. 16-17 requires an annual sworn application filed with the city clerk with a nonrefundable fee set by council resolution; the fire department and planning and community development inspect the premises, and the police department investigates the applicant's character, including an ICHAT criminal background report, prior addresses for ten years, and references attesting to good moral character.

Sec. 16-18 conditions the license on waterproofed wet-area construction, sterilizing equipment for nondisposable instruments, closed linen-storage cabinets, adequate sex-separated toilets, and a ban on lockable treatment-room doors unless fitted with an occupancy signal. Sec. 16-19 lets the clerk deny a license for felony convictions involving violence, sexual misconduct or narcotics, false statements on the application, or a license revoked elsewhere within five years, and the clerk must act within 90 days under Sec. 16-20. Separately, Sec. 16-8 bars employing anyone as a massage therapist without their own individual license or a Michigan Public Health Code license, exempting enrolled students performing uncompensated work as part of a recognized school's curriculum.

Sec. 16-2(b) exempts establishments where massage is a true accessory service occupying 15 percent or less of floor area. Sec. , and Sec. 16-6 bans alcohol on the premises entirely.