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

Chapter 6.36 of the Merced County Code makes it unlawful to operate a massage establishment or school of massage, or to work in one as a masseur, masseuse, instructor, or trainee, without first obtaining a county permit (Section 6.36.030). Establishment and school applicants file with the county Sheriff and pay a nonrefundable $500 filing fee, while individual workers pay a nonrefundable $100 fee (Section 6.36.040). Applications require the applicant's residence history, physical description, photographs, employment history for the prior three years, Social Security and driver's license numbers, any prior massage license revocations, arrest or conviction history tied to specific Penal Code sections, and any history of prostitution registration (Section 6.36.050).

Masseur, masseuse, or instructor applicants must show a diploma from a recognized school with at least 180 class hours over three months, or substitute two years of documented experience (Section 6.36.060). Every application needs a physician's certificate, issued within the prior 30 days, showing the applicant is free of contagious or communicable disease (Section 6.36.090), and establishment applications are routed to the building official, fire chief, health officer, and planning director for inspection and recommendations (Section 6.36.130). The Sheriff can refuse, suspend, or revoke a permit for code violations, disqualifying convictions within seven years, prostitution registration, an unsuitable neighborhood, or health and sanitation failures (Section 6.36.150), with denials appealable to the Board of Supervisors (Section 6.36.160). Permits run one year and renew annually with the same fee structure (Sections 6.36.170, 6.36.180).