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

Section 5.48.055 sets three separate permit layers: no person may own or manage a massage establishment without an operator permit, no massage establishment may operate at all until it holds a certificate of operation, and the certificate cannot be approved until every operator named in the application already holds an operator permit. A separate work permit is required for any employee who is not an operator, massage therapist or massage practitioner. Section 5.48.040 additionally requires a standard city business license and, per Chapter 18.46, a conditional use permit, and any individual seeking a business license as a massage practitioner or therapist must first show a current California Massage Therapy Council certificate.

Applicants must submit a scaled floor plan under Section 5.48.045 and undergo a Chief of Police investigation, including a Department of Justice fingerprint check, and the chief must act within thirty working days of a complete application under Section 5.48.060. A location closed for suspension, revocation, or criminal activity cannot reopen as a massage establishment, or get a new certificate of operation issued for it, for three years under Section 5.48.070. Businesses offering only 'ancillary' massage, fifteen percent or less of their operations, such as spas or health clubs, are partially exempt but must still limit massage hours to 8:00 a.m. through 10:00 p.m. and use only CAMTC-certified providers under Section 5.48.030(B).