Fontana, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- License required
- City business license before operating or practicing massage
- Technician credential
- Valid CAMTC certification or license required
- Record retention
- Treatment records kept 2 years, open to inspection
- Change notice
- Report address/ownership changes within 30 days
- Enforcing agency
- Chief of police, business license collector, community development director
Summary
Fontana requires a city business license before anyone practices massage or operates a massage establishment within city limits, plus valid CAMTC certification for every technician on staff. The business license department may investigate the applicant's background before issuing the license. Owners must keep two years of treatment records, display each technician's CAMTC card, and report ownership or address changes to the chief of police within 30 days.
(a)It is unlawful for any person to practice, engage in or carry on the business of massagist, or conduct a massage establishment within the city, without first having obtained a business license to do so and after complying with all regulations and requirements set forth in this division.(b)Any business license issued by the City of Fontana pursuant to this chapter shall be expressly contingent upon continuing compliance with this chapter and Code, Chapter 10.5 of Division 2 of the state Business and Professions Code, any applicable term or condition of an CAMTC-certification or license, and any applicable rule or regulation issued by CAMTC.(c)An applicant for a business license to own or operate a massage establishment must provide a copy of the CAMTC certification or license for all massage technicians employed at or operating out of the massage establishment.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 64 | Zoning and Development Code: Supplement 17).
Full Breakdown
Fontana Municipal Code Sec. 15-543 makes it unlawful to practice, engage in, or carry on the business of massagist, or to conduct a massage establishment within the city, without first obtaining a business license and complying with Article XII, Division 2 of Chapter 15. 5, Division 2 of the state Business and Professions Code (commencing with Section 4600), which created the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC). Applicants must submit a copy of the CAMTC certification or license for every massage technician employed at or operating out of the establishment (Sec.
15-543(c)), and the city may investigate the information provided and deny the application for material false statements (Sec. 15-543(d)). Every massage technician must hold a valid CAMTC license or certification before working in the city and must file a copy with the chief of police before administering massage for compensation (Sec. 15-549). Owner/operators must maintain treatment records showing the date and hour of each session, the patron's name and address, and the treating technician's name, kept for two years and open to inspection (Sec. 15-542).
Both technicians and owner/operators must notify the chief of police within 30 calendar days of any change in home or establishment address (Sec. 15-547); failure to comply can trigger CAMTC or city license revocation. The community development director, chief of police, building and safety director, and business license collector may conduct unscheduled inspections to verify compliance (Sec. 15-541).
Violations & Fines
Operating without a business license, or employing an uncertified technician, is unlawful under Sec. 15-543 and 15-549. The chief of police may suspend a massage establishment's business license immediately, pending a revocation hearing before the city manager or designee, when the business is conducted contrary to Article XII (Sec. 15-562). An unabated massage establishment is also declared a public nuisance the city attorney may abate by civil action (Sec. 15-538).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a city license to open a massage business in Fontana?
Can Fontana revoke a massage establishment's license?
How long must a massage establishment keep client records?
Sources & Official References
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