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

Section 2491-1 of the Ventura County Ordinance Code, added by Ordinance 3313 on 6/28/1977, prohibits anyone from engaging in, conducting, or carrying on a massage business without first obtaining a license for each business location. The section's language is deliberately broad in three ways. First, it covers operation in or upon any premises or mobile unit, so a massage van or other mobile setup needs the license just as a storefront does. Second, it bars not only running an unlicensed business but also permitting one to be conducted on your premises, which pulls property owners into the rule alongside operators.

Third, the license is per location, so an operator running massage businesses at separate sites needs a license for each one. The county is explicit that this license stacks on top of, rather than replaces, the Permit to Operate required by Section 4606, so a compliant business holds both. Section 2491-2 adds the individual layer: no one may work as a massage technician without a valid technician license issued by the Sheriff. Finally, Section 2491-3 requires licenses and business records to be available for inspection by any peace officer at all times during business hours, so a deputy can walk in and check paperwork without advance notice.