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

Section 152-18 exempts licensed medical doctors, chiropractors, osteopaths, physical therapists, physicians' assistants, nurses, barbers and beauticians working only on the neck, face, scalp, hair, hands or feet, school and team coaches acting within their employment, and hospital or nursing-home staff supervised by the facility. Everyone else operating a massage business must first get an occupancy permit and a Section 152-18 business license from the City Clerk; the Building, Inspection and Zoning Department and Police Department then have 30 days to inspect and investigate, and the Clerk must notify the applicant within 14 days after that whether the license is granted, denied, or held for up to another 30 days of review.

Applicants and massage therapists alike must disclose felony and misdemeanor history, carry malpractice insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence, and can be denied for a conviction involving bodily harm, sexual misconduct, or prostitution within the relevant look-back period, though the City Clerk may still license someone whose disqualifying conviction is at least ten years old with no repeat offenses. A licensed massage therapist must carry his or her license when performing off-site work, and doors to therapy rooms cannot be locked or blocked from either side during business hours. Renewal applications are due 45 days before expiration, and license denial or revocation can be appealed to the Common Council.