Garden Grove, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Chapter 5.12 requires two layers of authorization: every individual performing massage must hold current CAMTC state certification, and every massage establishment must first obtain an operator's permit from the Police Chief before opening (§ 5.12.030). The application demands fingerprints, two 2-inch photographs, all aliases used in the last 10 years, eight years of residential and employment history, and a full criminal-conviction history (§ 5.12.040). The Police Chief must approve, conditionally approve, or deny within 60 days, extendable 30 more days to finish the investigation (§ 5.12.050).

Denial is mandatory if any owner, operator, manager or employee has been convicted of Penal Code §§ 266i, 315, 316, 318, or 647(b), a controlled-substance felony under Health and Safety Code §§ 11054-11058, or is required to register as a sex offender under Penal Code § 290. Once issued, an operator's permit runs 12 months, is non-transferable to a new owner or location, and renewal applications are due 30 days before expiration (§ 5.12.090). Day-to-day operating rules include: no business between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.; a manager on the premises whenever the establishment is open; at least one certified massage practitioner on duty at all times; disinfected instruments and sterilized linens; no alcohol or controlled substances anywhere on the premises; and a Civil Code § 52.6 notice posted at the public entrance (§ 5.12.060).

Hotels with at least 150 rooms offering incidental massage as part of a spa, and CUP-approved health clubs, are exempt from the operator's-permit requirement (§ 5.12.110).