Janesville, WI Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Janesville Code of General Ordinances Ch. 12, Art. XI regulates massage establishments and technicians. Section 12-309 requires any person, firm or corporation operating a massage establishment, defined in Section 12-307 as a place of business where private massage is a principal use, to hold a City massage establishment license unless limited by Wis. Stats. § 460.17's local-regulation provision. This license is distinct from the massage technician license required of individual practitioners under Section 12-308, though a sole proprietor employing no one else needs both under Section 12-312(a).

Applicants for the establishment license file with the City Clerk under Section 12-312(a), providing the business address, two recent photographs, a complete set of fingerprints, prior business history including any past license revocation, and a full list of criminal and City ordinance convictions, along with the license fee set by City Council resolution in the fee schedule. Section 12-310 exempts licensed physicians, chiropractors, physical therapists, nurses, and state-registered massage therapists and body workers, as well as barbers and beauticians whose massage is limited to the head and scalp.

Section 12-314 bars issuance of any license under the article to a person convicted of a crime of violence or whose character or condition is found inimical to public health, safety, morals, or general welfare.