Does Jacksonville, FL have its own massage establishments ordinance?

No. Jacksonville, FL does not appear to have a local massage establishments ordinance, Florida state law applies instead. The rules summarized on this page come from Florida Statute Chapter 480.

Key Facts Ordinance Text Full Breakdown Violations FAQ Sources More in Jacksonville

Jacksonville, FL Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

License required: Florida massage therapist license (F.S. Ch. 480)
Local hours ban: No paid massage 10 p.m.-6 a.m.
Hospital exemption: Hospitals, hospices, doctor-directed massage exempt
Governing law: Jacksonville Ordinance Code Ch. 198

Summary

Anyone giving massages for pay in Jacksonville must hold a Florida massage therapist license, and Ordinance Code Chapter 198 bars paid massage services between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in or offer to engage in the massage of another for compensation unless the person giving the massage is licensed by the State pursuant to F.S. Tit. XXXII, and the massage is related to the profession for which the person giving the massage is licensed... Massages by massage therapists, for compensation, shall not be given or offered between the hour of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. the following day.

Source: Florida Statute Chapter 480View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 6 Update 1).

Full Breakdown

Chapter 198 of the Jacksonville Ordinance Code makes it unlawful to massage another person for compensation without a Florida massage therapist license (F.S. Ch. 480), unless the person is an athletic trainer working with a professional team. Holding oneself out as a massage therapist without that state license is also unlawful. On top of the state licensing rule, Sec. 198.103 adds a Jacksonville-only restriction: massage businesses cannot offer or give paid massages between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., except for massages in state-licensed hospitals/hospices or given under a licensed medical provider's direction. Chapter 150 separately confirms the City is not trying to license massage therapists beyond this state-license requirement.

Violations & Fines

Massaging someone for pay without a Florida license, or a massage business operating between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., violates Ordinance Code §§ 198.102-198.103 and is subject to City code enforcement action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Jacksonville issue its own massage establishment license?

No. The City relies on the state massage therapist license (F.S. Ch. 480) and adds only the local hours-of-operation restriction in Sec. 198.103.

Can a Jacksonville spa offer massages after 10 p.m.?

No, unless it's a state-licensed hospital or hospice, or the massage is given under a licensed medical provider's direction.

Sources & Official References

[1]Jacksonville Ordinance Code, Municode Library

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