Hanford, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- HMC § 8.28.030
- Permit issuer
- Hanford chief of police
- CAMTC-certified therapists
- exempt but must register
- Out-call massage
- needs separate endorsement
Summary
Hanford requires a police-issued establishment permit to operate a massage business and a therapist or trainee permit for anyone providing massage, with limited CAMTC-certification exemptions.
It is unlawful for any owner, operator, officer, director, or managing employee of a massage establishment to operate or permit the operation of such business without a valid massage establishment permit as required by this chapter.
B. Massage Therapist or Trainee Permit—Operator Responsibilities. It is unlawful for the owner, operator, officer, director, or managing employee of a massage establishment to provide or permit the provision of massage services by any person who does not hold a valid massage therapist or trainee permit as required by this chapter.
C. Massage Therapist or Trainee Permit—Individual Responsibilities. It is unlawful for any person to provide massage services without a valid massage therapist or trainee permit as required by this chapter.
D. Out-Call Designation. It is unlawful for any person to provide out-call massage services without a valid massage therapist permit endorsed for out-call massage services. (Ord. 13-01, 2013)
Full Breakdown
Under Hanford Municipal Code § 8.28.030, it is unlawful to operate or permit the operation of a massage establishment without a valid establishment permit, unlawful for an operator to allow massage by anyone lacking a valid therapist or trainee permit, and unlawful for any individual to provide massage without a valid therapist or trainee permit. Out-call massage additionally requires a permit specifically endorsed for out-call services. Permits are issued by the chief of police; therapists certified by the California Massage Therapy Council are exempt from the permit but must still register with the Hanford police department.
Violations & Fines
A misdemeanor unless the city elects to treat it as an infraction (§ 8.28.240); violations are also a public nuisance subject to injunction, abatement, and administrative citation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do massage therapists need a permit in Hanford?
What happens if a massage business operates without a permit in Hanford?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hanford
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