Fullerton, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- Chief of Police
- Permit term
- 2 years
- Passing exam score
- 70% per section
- Residential setback
- 250-foot radius
- Renewal filing deadline
- 60 days before expiration
- Continuing education for renewal
- 20 hours
- Violation classification
- Misdemeanor
Summary
Fullerton requires a Police-issued operator's permit before anyone runs a massage establishment, on top of the standard business license. Operators, managers and technicians must pass a written exam, and new establishments must sit at least 250 feet from residentially zoned land.
It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in, conduct or carry on, or to permit the engagement in, conduct of or carrying on the business or operation of a massage establishment within the city without first obtaining an operator's permit pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, and complying with all other applicable provisions of this code, including, but not limited to, securing the necessary business license and complying with Title 15 of this code.
Full Breakdown
030, in addition to the city's standard business license under Title 15. The Chief of Police administers the permit program. 060, every operator and massage employee must take and pass a written examination on the chapter's requirements: the first exam must be completed within 30 days of the application date, and a score of 70% or better is required on each section. A failed applicant gets one retake within 30 days; a second failure bars reapplication for one year. Anyone with three or more sustained municipal code violations in a permit period must retake the exam at renewal.
Non-English exams require a court-certified, Police-approved interpreter paid for by the applicant. 350 bars a massage establishment from locating within a 250-foot radius of a residentially zoned property, measured from the nearest exterior wall of the proposed use to the nearest lot line of the residential zone; existing establishments are grandfathered. 290) and confer no vested right beyond that term. Renewal applications go to the Chief of Police at least 60 calendar days before expiration, with a non-refundable filing fee set by City Council resolution; the Chief has 60 calendar days to investigate and decide.
Massage technicians renewing must show at least 20 hours of continuing education from a recognized massage school or qualified massage association, or renewal is denied. 360.
Violations & Fines
Operating or working without the required permit, or failing to pass the mandated exam, is grounds for permit denial, suspension, revocation or non-renewal by the Chief of Police under § 3.24.300. Under § 3.24.370, any violation of Chapter 3.24 is a misdemeanor, and an establishment operated in violation is declared a public nuisance the city can prosecute criminally and also pursue through civil abatement, injunction or removal actions in court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need more than a business license to open a massage business in Fullerton?
How close can a massage establishment be to a house in Fullerton?
What happens if I fail the required massage exam twice?
How often do massage technicians renew, and is training required?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fullerton
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