Lodi, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Lodi Municipal Code Chapter 5.32 requires an operator's permit before anyone may run a massage establishment; Section 5.32.015 conditions that permit on filing the application required by Sections 5.32.020 and 5.32.025, obtaining the city's standard business license, and complying with Title 17 zoning. The police department investigates each operator application, which must disclose ownership, an eight-year address and employment history, prior permit denials, criminal convictions within ten years, fingerprints, and CAMTC certification; the chief of police has 60 days, extendable 30 more, to grant or deny.

Section 5.32.030 separately requires every massage technician to hold current CAMTC certification under California Business and Professions Code Section 4604.2 before performing or advertising massage in the city, in addition to a business license. Section 5.32.035 requires a further off-premises massage permit, reviewed within 15 business days, for any massage performed away from a licensed establishment; a chair-massage-only permit is valid one year. Operating rules in Section 5.32.040 bar massage of the genitals or anal region, require a manager on site whenever the establishment is open, require CAMTC or city identification displayed at all times, and close every establishment between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

The city's community development, fire and police departments, the San Joaquin County Health Department, and CAMTC may inspect at any time the business is open. Permits run two years and must be renewed before expiration; fees are set by council resolution under Section 5.32.050.