Rancho Cucamonga, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required from
- Planning director
- Permit term
- 1 year, expires with business license
- Renewal filing
- At least 30 days before expiration
- Revocation notice
- 15 calendar days written notice
- Moratorium after revocation
- Up to 1 year at same location
Summary
Operating a massage establishment in Rancho Cucamonga without a city permit is unlawful under Municipal Code Section 5.18.030. The planning director issues, denies, suspends, and revokes these permits under Chapter 5.18, screening owners and operators for criminal history and misconduct before a business can open its doors to massage clients.
It is unlawful for any person, firm, partnership or corporation to engage in, conduct or carry on, or to permit to be engaged in, conducted or carried on, in or upon any premises within the city, the operation of a massage establishment or ancillary massage establishment as herein described, without first having obtained a massage establishment permit, issued by the city pursuant to the provisions herein set forth. Said permit shall immediately be surrendered to the planning director upon suspension, revocation, or expiration of said permit.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4999536; v21 updated 2026-07-15).
Full Breakdown
" A separate permit is required for each location and for any change in ownership. 020 defines a "massage establishment" as any business where customers receive a massage as a primary or accessory function performed by therapists certified by the California Massage Therapy Council. 040. 050. 060 requires a nonrefundable application and investigation fee, plus a separate fee for any required hearing, with no refunds even if the permit is later suspended or revoked. 090, an approved permit runs for one year, expiring with the business license, and renewal applications are due at least 30 days before expiration. 22. 070 requires a corporate or partnership applicant to designate a responsible managing employee who meets all permit requirements at all times.
Violations & Fines
Section 5.18.110 lets the planning director suspend or revoke a permit for violating chapter requirements, employing a non-CAMTC-certified therapist, continuing to operate after suspension, or conduct a reasonable client would understand as a sexual offer. Section 5.18.120 gives the operator 15 days' written notice and a right to appeal to the city manager within 15 days; upon revocation, the city manager can bar any massage establishment from that location for a one-year moratorium.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a separate permit to operate a massage business in Rancho Cucamonga?
Who is exempt from the massage establishment permit requirement?
What can get a massage establishment permit application denied?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rancho Cucamonga
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