Redwood City, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- Practitioner must be
- CAMTC certified
- Business must
- Register with the City
- Applies to
- Any paid massage practice
- Code section
- RCC 18A.3
Summary
In Redwood City it is unlawful to practice massage therapy for compensation, as a sole proprietor, employee, or in any other capacity, unless the individual is a state-certified (CAMTC) massage practitioner, and the business must register with the City.
It shall be unlawful for any individual to practice massage therapy for compensation as a sole proprietorship or employee of a massage business or in any other capacity within the City of Redwood City unless that individual is a certified massage practitioner.B.Businesses. It shall be unlawful for any business to provide massage for compensation within the City of Redwood City unless all individuals employed by the massage business to perform massage, whether as an employee, independent contractor, or sole proprietorship, are certified massage practitioners and said business has obtained a valid massage registration certificate as provided in this Chapter. (Ord. No. 2415, § 3, 10-26-15)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Zoning Code: Supplement 29 | City Code: Supplement 61 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Redwood City Code section 18A.3 requires California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) certification and massage business registration. It is unlawful for any individual to practice massage therapy for compensation as a sole proprietorship, as an employee of a massage business, or in any other capacity within the City unless that individual is a certified massage practitioner. The massage business must also register with the City, and section 18A.5 addresses the business license requirement.
Violations & Fines
Practicing massage for compensation without CAMTC certification, or operating a massage business without registration, violates Redwood City Code section 18A.3.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do massage therapists need certification in Redwood City?
Does the business register too?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Redwood City
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