Unincorporated Riverside County requires massage establishments to obtain a county regulatory permit. Individual therapists must hold a current California Massage Therapy Council certification under Business and Professions Code section 4600.
Riverside County requires every massage business in unincorporated areas to register with the Sheriff or designated regulatory office, pay annual fees, and ensure each practitioner is CAMTC certified. State law, Business and Professions Code section 4612, sets uniform statewide certification standards and limits how strictly local agencies can regulate certified therapists. Local permits still cover business location, operating hours, signage, and inspection access, and must comply with Ordinance 348 zoning. Establishments without proper certification or permits may be subject to abatement actions by Code Enforcement.
Operating without a permit or employing uncertified therapists is a misdemeanor with daily civil penalties, license revocation, and potential nuisance abatement under Ordinance 590.
See how Palm Springs's massage establishments rules stack up against other locations.
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