Rowan County, NC Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- License required
- issued by Board of Commissioners, § 11-36
- License term
- one year, renewed annually
- Operating hours
- 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. only
- Minimum age
- 18 for massagists and clients
- Penalty
- fine up to $50 or 30 days jail
- Enforcement
- Rowan County Sheriff's Office inspections
Summary
Rowan County requires anyone who operates a massage parlor or works as a massagist in the unincorporated county to hold a license from the Board of Commissioners under Chapter 11 of the county code. Licenses run one year and must be renewed annually. Parlors may open only between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., and the Sheriff's Office may inspect the premises during business hours.
A person may not work as a massagist, nor operate a massage parlor unless licensed under this article. ... The board of commissioners shall issue licenses under this article to any eligible person. Such licenses shall be valid for one (1) year only and must be renewed annually. ... The board of commissioners shall revoke the license of any licensee who has violated this chapter.
Full Breakdown
Section 11-36 makes it unlawful to work as a massagist or operate a massage parlor in unincorporated Rowan County without a license issued under Chapter 11. S. Chapter 14, Articles 26 or 27, anyone under 18, or anyone who has already violated the chapter from holding a license. Applicants must submit to fingerprinting under Section 11-38, with prints forwarded to the state bureau of investigation, the FBI or other law enforcement agencies. The Board of Commissioners issues licenses valid for one year, renewable annually, under Section 11-39, and a licensee must display the license and a copy of the chapter in a prominent place under Section 11-41, while each massagist posts a license in the work area.
Section 11-3 sets 18 as the minimum age both to work as a massagist and to be massaged, absent direction from a licensed health professional. , and Section 11-5 bars massaging certain body areas in the course of business. Massage parlor licensees must supervise employees under Section 11-7, and the sheriff or a deputy may inspect the business during open hours under Section 11-8. The Board of Commissioners must revoke the license of any licensee found to have violated the chapter under Section 11-42, but only after written notice of the grounds and a chance to answer.
Violations & Fines
Violating Chapter 11, including operating or working without a license, employing anyone under 18, or breaching the hours or conduct rules, is a misdemeanor under Section 11-9, punishable by a fine of not more than fifty dollars ($50.00) or imprisonment for not more than thirty (30) days. The county may also seek an injunction under Section 11-10, and the Board of Commissioners can revoke a license after written notice and a chance to respond under Section 11-42.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Rowan County require a license to operate a massage parlor?
What hours can a Rowan County massage parlor stay open?
Can someone with a sexual misconduct conviction get a Rowan County massage license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rowan County
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