Redlands, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- City Code ch. 5.28 (Ord. 2824, 2015)
- Ownership trigger for background check
- More than 5% ownership
- Investigation window
- Up to 60 days
- Appeal deadline
- 15 days from notice
- Base penalty
- Misdemeanor or infraction
- Enforcing official
- Chief of police
Summary
Redlands requires every massage establishment owner and technician to hold current California Massage Therapy Council certification, and any owner holding more than 5% of the business must pass a police background check before operating. The police chief administers the program under City Code chapter 5.28.
Except for massage establishment owners who possess a current and valid CAMTC certification, any person, association, partnership, or corporation who owns more than five percent (5%) of a massage establishment and desires to operate that massage establishment must make an application to the chief for an investigation of the applicant's background and history. A nonrefundable fee, in an amount set by resolution of the city council, must accompany the submission of each application to defray the cost of investigation, inspection and enforcement of this chapter. An annual nonrefundable renewal fee will also be charged to defray associated costs of investigation, inspection and enforcement.
Full Breakdown
28, adopted by Ordinance 2824 in 2015, sets up a local permitting system layered on top of state certification. 040 it is unlawful to own, operate or maintain a massage establishment unless every massage technician employed there holds a current CAMTC certification as a massage practitioner or massage therapist, and the same certification requirement applies to off-premises massage services and to individual technicians. 050 requires any owner, partner, or corporation holding more than 5% of a massage establishment (unless the owner already holds CAMTC certification) to apply to the chief of police for a background investigation, paying a nonrefundable fee set by city council resolution plus an annual nonrefundable renewal fee.
The application must disclose the applicant's addresses for the prior three years, employment history for five years, any prior license or permit revocations, fingerprints if requested, and the name and address of the property owner/lessor. The city has up to 60 days from a completed application to investigate, during which police, fire, building and safety, or planning staff may inspect the proposed premises. Background clearance is denied if, within the preceding five years, the applicant or a qualifying officer/shareholder was convicted of specified Penal Code sex or violence offenses (including Penal Code 261, 267, 314-316, 647(a)(b)(d)), any registrable offense under Penal Code 290, or a felony narcotics offense under Health and Safety Code 11054-11058. 090 bars specified sexual conduct on the premises. 060 before opening.
Violations & Fines
Operating without required CAMTC certification, engaging in prohibited sexual conduct, or violating any chapter provision is grounds for the chief to revoke the establishment's approval under section 5.28.130, following notice by first-class mail. A denied or revoked applicant may appeal in writing to the city clerk within 15 days of the mailing under section 5.28.140, and a successful appeal restores the approval and refunds any fines collected. Independent of revocation, section 5.28.150 makes any violation of the chapter a misdemeanor, though the city attorney may instead charge it as an infraction. The city attorney can also pursue civil abatement of a noncompliant establishment as a public nuisance under section 5.28.120.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a massage technician need a state license to work in Redlands?
Who has to undergo a Redlands background check to open a massage business?
How long does Redlands have to process a massage establishment background application?
What happens if my Redlands massage establishment approval is revoked?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Redlands
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