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

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

Key Facts

Permit issuer
Chief of Police
Permit term
1 year from issuance
Therapist credential
Current CAMTC certificate
Required insurance
$2,000,000 liability minimum
Conviction fine
$100, cannot be suspended
Renewal deadline
30 days before expiration

Summary

Murrieta requires every massage business and massage therapist to hold a CAMTC certificate and a city permit issued by the Chief of Police. Operating without either is unlawful, and a conviction carries a mandatory $100 fine that a court cannot suspend.

A. CAMTC Certificate required. 1. Massage therapist. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person to perform massage, whether as full-time, part-time or temporary status, as an employee, sole practitioner, or independent contractor of a massage business, or in any other capacity within the jurisdiction of the city, unless that person possesses a current, valid and authentic CAMTC Certificate. 2. Massage business. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any massage business to operate within the jurisdiction of the city, unless all persons utilized by the massage business to perform massage, whether as full-time, part-time or temporary status, as an employee, sole practitioner, or independent contractor, or otherwise, possess a current, valid and authentic CAMTC Certificate.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-23: A Codification of the General Ordinances of the City of Murrieta, California through Ord. 634-26, passed 7-7-2026).

Full Breakdown

040(A)). 040(B), (D)). 050(A)). 050(A)(13)). 050(C)(4)). 050(B)).

Violations & Fines

Violating any provision of Chapter 5.18 or the related requirements of Title 16 is a misdemeanor, and upon conviction the court must impose a $100 fine that cannot be suspended in whole or in part (§ 5.18.120). Operating, conducting or maintaining a massage business contrary to the chapter is separately declared a public nuisance (§ 5.18.130).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do massage therapists need a special license in Murrieta?
Yes. Under Section 5.18.040(A), it is unlawful for anyone to perform massage in Murrieta, whether as an employee, sole practitioner or independent contractor, without a current, valid CAMTC certificate, and the massage business itself must also hold a city business license.
What background checks apply to Murrieta massage business owners?
Owners, operators and managers without a CAMTC certificate must authorize a Police Department background check. Section 5.18.050(C)(4) requires the city to deny a permit if that check shows a sex-offender registration or convictions for prostitution-related crimes, drug felonies, or offenses involving theft or fraud.
How much insurance must a Murrieta massage business carry?
Section 5.18.050(A)(13) requires massage businesses and their therapists to carry liability insurance with minimum coverage of $2,000,000 for personal injury or death arising from the operation of the business or performance of massage, maintained at all times the business operates.
What is the penalty for an unlicensed massage business in Murrieta?
A violation of Chapter 5.18 is a misdemeanor, and Section 5.18.120 requires the court to impose a $100 fine on conviction that cannot be suspended. Operating contrary to the chapter is also declared a public nuisance under Section 5.18.130.

Sources & Official References

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