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

Chapter 5.87 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code, the Massage Establishment Law of the City of Palm Desert, makes two things mandatory under § 5.87.040: a massage establishment business license from the city, and state certification for every individual providing massage at the establishment. Certification means a current certificate from the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC). Non-conforming uses are subject to Chapter 25.62.

The application under § 5.87.050 is filed under penalty of perjury with the city manager. It requires photo identification, a statement that only certified practitioners will be employed with copies of their CAMTC certificates and identification cards, ownership and corporate information, a certificate of compliance from the city health officer, and a written zoning consistency check from the community development department. Applicants not certified by the CAMTC also face fingerprinting or a formal background check. Other city departments inspect the premises, and the city manager has up to sixty calendar days after all information is submitted to finish the investigation.

Location is tightly limited by § 5.87.060. An independent stand-alone establishment, meaning one where massage revenue exceeds fifty percent of total revenue, can operate only in the C-1 zone (excluding the El Paseo Overlay District), PC2 and PC3, and not within one thousand feet of another stand-alone establishment, measured in a straight line between the nearest property lines. An accessory establishment, where massage revenue is under fifty percent of a hotel, salon, day spa, athletic club or medical or yoga office, is limited to C-1, O.P., PC2, PC3 and PC4.

The city manager issues a license only when the application is complete and the operation complies with building, zoning, business license and health and safety rules (§ 5.87.070). A denied applicant has ten calendar days to request reconsideration with a $50 filing fee or other amount set by council resolution. Licenses are valid for two years (§ 5.87.110), and suspension is capped at sixty calendar days (§ 5.87.120).