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Rancho Cordova, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

License
General and/or special business license
Certification
Valid CAMTC certificate required
Operating hours
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. only
Records kept
2 years, open to city inspection
Misdemeanor fine
Up to $1,000 or 6 months jail
Admin fine
Up to $1,000 per day

Summary

Rancho Cordova requires every massage business to hold a city business license before offering massage for compensation. Owner-operators who hold a CAMTC certificate and use only CAMTC-certified staff need only a general business license; any business with non-certified owners, managers or employees must also obtain a special business license with a background check.

§ 4.33.035. City business license. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate, engage in, conduct or allow the operation of a massage business unless under and by authority of a valid, unexpired and unrevoked general business license issued pursuant to Chapter 4.06 RCMC and/or a special business license issued pursuant to Chapter 4.10 RCMC.

A. General Business License. Massage businesses that are wholly owned by a person with a CAMTC certificate and only CAMTC certified employees or independent contractors shall work for the massage business, shall be required to obtain a general business license issued pursuant to Chapter 4.06 RCMC.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4660102; v2 updated 2026-03-02; through 03-02-2026).

Full Breakdown

10. Subsection A directs massage businesses wholly owned by a CAMTC-certified person, employing only CAMTC-certified staff, to obtain a general business license from the finance director, submitting every employee's or contractor's CAMTC certificate with the application. 10, for any massage business owned, managed or supervised by someone who lacks a CAMTC certificate; each non-certified owner, manager or operator must undergo that background check. 040. 030. 060(I) and (J).

Violations & Fines

A violation of Chapter 4.33's licensing or operating requirements is a misdemeanor under RCMC § 4.33.085, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 per violation, up to six months in county jail, or both. The city may instead pursue an administrative citation under § 4.33.090, with a fine of up to $1,000 per day the violation continues, or seek an injunction and nuisance abatement under § 4.33.075.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run a massage business from my Rancho Cordova home?
Only as a home occupation massage therapist. RCMC § 4.33.040 requires a home-based therapist to obtain zoning certification for a home occupation under RCMC § 23.113.010 and § 23.901.030, hold a valid CAMTC certificate, and get a business license, and the chapter's location and distance spacing rules do not apply to that home occupation.
Do all massage therapists in Rancho Cordova need a CAMTC certificate?
Yes. RCMC § 4.33.025 makes it unlawful for anyone to perform massage for compensation in the city without a current, valid, unsuspended CAMTC certificate, and it is separately unlawful for any massage business to let someone provide massage without one.
What hours can a Rancho Cordova massage establishment operate?
RCMC § 4.33.060(C) limits massage to the hours between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. A massage that starts before 10:00 p.m. must finish before that hour, and every client must leave the establishment before 10:00 p.m.
What happens if a massage business operates without the required license?
It is a misdemeanor under RCMC § 4.33.085, carrying a fine of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail, and the city can instead issue an administrative citation under § 4.33.090 fining the business up to $1,000 for each day the violation continues.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Rancho Cordova

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