Glendale, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- Certificate required for
- Every establishment owner/operator
- Certificate term
- 1 year, renews annually
- Renewal deadline
- 30 days before expiration
- Transferable
- No, void upon sale/transfer
- Issuing agency
- Community Development Department
Summary
Glendale requires every massage establishment owner or operator to hold a current massage establishment owner certificate from the community development department, on top of any CAMTC certification held by individual practitioners. The certificate is valid one year and must be renewed annually.
A massage establishment owner or operator shall obtain and maintain a current, active, and valid massage establishment owner certificate.
B. Regardless of whether a massage establishment owner or operator obtains a massage establishment owner certificate as subsection A of this section requires:
1. Sections 5.64.030 through 5.64.050, 5.64.070 through 5.64.090, and 5.64.150 through 5.64.210 of this chapter apply to the massage establishment; and 2. The city may:
a. Order the massage establishment without a massage establishment owner certificate to cease operations immediately; and
b. Enforce this chapter's provisions by exercising one or more remedies under Section 5.64.200 of this chapter, Chapter 8.30 of this code, or any other law. (Ord. 5972 § 5, 9-14-2021) § 5.64.070. Massage establishment owner or operator—Certificate—Violation. A massage establishment owner or operator shall not own, operate, conduct, maintain, or carry on a massage establishment under this chapter's provisions, unless the person:
A. First obtains a massage establishment owner certificate under this chapter; and
B. Complies with this chapter's requirements. (Ord. 5972 § 5, 9-14-2021)
Full Breakdown
070 makes it unlawful to own, operate, conduct, maintain, or carry on a massage establishment unless the person first obtains that certificate and complies with the chapter's requirements. 080, the owner or operator applies to the community development department, and the director will not accept an application or renewal until the applicant files a certificate application, a personal affidavit, and pays the required fees. 080(B)(4). 140, and any change of business name or location requires a new certificate. 150 requires the certificate, along with each practitioner's CAMTC certificate, to be displayed conspicuously so patrons can see it, and city officials must be allowed to examine and copy those documents at any time.
This local certificate scheme sits alongside the state Massage Therapy Act, which requires individual practitioners to hold a CAMTC certificate under Business and Professions Code Sections 4600 to 4621; Glendale cannot require CAMTC certificate holders to get a separate local practice permit but can and does license the establishment itself.
Violations & Fines
Operating a massage establishment without a current owner certificate violates Section 5.64.070, and under Section 5.64.060(B) the city may order the establishment to cease operations immediately and pursue remedies under Section 5.64.200, including administrative code enforcement under Chapter 1.24, criminal prosecution under Section 1.20.010(A), and civil abatement as a public nuisance, with the prevailing party able to recover attorney's fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a city permit to open a massage business in Glendale, separate from my CAMTC certificate?
How often do I have to renew my Glendale massage establishment certificate?
What happens if I operate a massage establishment without the city certificate?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Glendale
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