Gwinnett County, GA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- License needed
- In addition to occupation tax certificate
- Annual fee
- $250 regulatory fee
- Hours
- 7:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. only
- Disqualifier
- Felony/sex offense within 10 years
Summary
Massage and spa establishments in unincorporated Gwinnett County must get a dedicated county license on top of the standard occupation tax certificate, and owners or therapists with certain criminal convictions in the past ten years are disqualified.
In addition to obtaining an occupation tax certificate as referenced in section 18-20, all persons, firms or corporations desiring to engage in the business, trade or profession of a massage establishment shall, before engaging in such trade, business, profession, make application for a license in the form and manner prescribed in this article.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 9).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 18-268 requires anyone running a massage or spa establishment to hold both an occupation tax certificate and a separate license, backed by a current state massage-therapist license, corporate ownership disclosures, and, for individuals, photo ID. Sec. 18-268(c) bars a license for anyone convicted of a felony, prostitution, indecency, or violent offense within the past ten years. The license carries a $250 annual regulatory fee under Sec. 18-269, and Sec. 18-271(g) limits operating hours to 7:00 a.m. through 10:00 p.m.
Violations & Fines
Practicing without the license, letting a disqualified person hold it, or violating operating rules is grounds for suspension or revocation under Sec. 18-273; unlicensed operation is also a Code violation punishable by a $100–$1,000 fine or up to 60 days in jail under Sec. 1-11.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a massage establishment license separate from the general business license in Gwinnett?
Can a massage establishment operate 24 hours in unincorporated Gwinnett County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Gwinnett County
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