New Orleans, LA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- License authority
- Director, Dept. of Health
- Establishment application fee
- $100.50 ($50 refunded if denied)
- Therapist permit fee
- $50.00
- Liability insurance required
- $1,000,000.00
- License term
- 1 year from issuance
- Decision deadline
- 60 days after application
- Violation
- Misdemeanor, § 30-936
Summary
New Orleans requires a City Council-authorized annual license from the Department of Health to operate any massage establishment. Owners submit fingerprints, photos, a three-year address and employment history, $1,000,000 in liability coverage, and pass a police-and-permits investigation before the director may issue the license.
No person shall carry on the business of operating a massage establishment at any place within the city unless he has a valid license issued pursuant to the provisions of this division for each and every place of business. ... Within 60 days of the receipt of an application, the director of the department of health shall either grant or deny a massage license. ... The director of the department of health shall grant a massage license only if he finds that: (1) The required fee has been paid. (2) The application conforms in all respects to the provisions of this article. ... (6) The applicant if an individual ... have not been convicted of a felony or pleaded guilty to or have currently pending against that person or forfeited bail or been convicted of violation of any law of any jurisdiction for prostitution, pandering, pimping, lewd conduct or sexual misconduct within five years of the application.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 116 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 30-956 makes it unlawful to carry on the business of operating a massage establishment anywhere in New Orleans without a valid license for each place of business. 00 in property damage and bodily injury liability insurance, proof of a valid occupational license, and a full set of fingerprints. 00 is refunded if the license is denied. Section 30-959 requires the superintendent of police and the director of safety and permits to investigate the application within 48 hours of filing. Under § 30-960, the director must act within 60 days and may grant a license only if the fee is paid, the application is complete and truthful, the proposed establishment complies with building, zoning and health regulations, the applicant is at least 18, and no owner, officer, director, partner or stockholder has been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, has pending against them, or forfeited bail for prostitution, pandering, pimping, lewd conduct or sexual misconduct within the preceding five years, or had a similar license or permit denied or revoked for cause anywhere in the prior two years.
Licenses run one calendar year from issuance under § 30-935 and are void on sale or transfer of the business per § 30-961. 00 fee.
Violations & Fines
Operating a massage establishment or practicing as a massage therapist without the required license or permit is a misdemeanor under § 30-936. The director of health may deny, suspend or revoke a license for a disqualifying conviction, a material misstatement in the application, or failure to cooperate with the police investigation; licenses not renewed before expiration lapse automatically one year after issuance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues a massage establishment license in New Orleans?
What disqualifies an applicant?
Does the license transfer with a sale of the business?
Is a separate permit needed for the massage therapist personally?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New Orleans
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