Richardson, TX Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Richardson's zoning ordinance treats a massage establishment as a special permit use rather than a use allowed by right. Under Article XXII-A, Section 1(a), the city council may authorize the location of special permit uses only after a public hearing, notice to affected parties, and a recommendation from the city plan commission addressing protection of adjoining property and public health, safety, morals, and welfare. Section 2(b)(38) confines massage establishments to nonresidential or non-apartment districts. 006, the permit needs an affirmative three-fourths vote of the full council to take effect at all, and the same three-fourths threshold is required under Section 5 to overturn a plan commission recommendation to deny.

Section 7 makes the permit self-terminating: it automatically ends if ownership, the operator, or the business name changes, if a required building permit is not obtained within 180 days of the granting ordinance, or if the use is discontinued or vacated for more than 180 days. A new operator has to reapply through the full public hearing process rather than simply notify the city. Section 9 layers the underlying zoning district's building, area, and height rules on top of whatever conditions the council imposes in the granting ordinance, so a massage establishment must also satisfy standard commercial development standards for the site.