Long Branch, NJ Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Chapter 227 makes it unlawful to practice massage without a state license and separately unlawful to operate a massage establishment that fails to meet the chapter's sanitary provisions or that employs an unlicensed massage operator (§ 227-2). To open one, an applicant files with the City Clerk, who refers the application to the Director of Public Safety for investigation (§ 227-4A), pays a $50 license fee (§ 227-4B), and, once granted, must display the license conspicuously (§ 227-6). Licenses run a calendar year with no proration for late applicants (§ 227-4D) and renew by written request plus the fee (§ 227-4E).

C. 2 (§ 227-4F). Every massage establishment must post a sign identifying it as such at the main entrance, matching the city's general sign rules (§ 227-7). A license can be revoked for fraud, a disqualifying Title 2C conviction, practicing under a false name, addiction that incapacitates the licensee, deceptive advertising, unauthorized practice of medicine, or employing an unregistered person to perform massage (§ 227-12), but only after written notice and a hearing before the City Administrator, with at least ten days' notice served personally or by registered mail (§ 227-11).

A denied or revoked applicant may appeal in writing to the City Council, which can affirm, deny, or grant the license (§ 227-5B). Licensed physicians, chiropractors, osteopaths, and supervised nurses are exempt (§ 227-13).