Roanoke County, VA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Chapter 11 defines a massage parlor broadly, any fixed place of business offering a Turkish, Swedish, vapor, sweat, electric, salt, magnetic or similar massage, bath or manipulation of the body, while carving out hospitals, licensed medical professionals, barbershops that only massage the scalp or neck, and massage therapists with at least 500 hours of accredited training. Section 11-26 makes it unlawful to operate, or to render massage services away from a licensed parlor, without a current permit issued under Article II. Section 11-27 requires the operator to apply to the director of public health with a $250 fee covering investigation by the county police department and health department, along with the applicant's photograph, criminal history, prior massage experience, the technicians to be employed, and their medical histories.

Section 11-28 sends the application to the officers who enforce the building and fire prevention codes and to the chief of police, and § 11-29 gives the director thirty days to issue the permit once the premises meet the building code, the facility meets Chapter 11's minimum standards under § 11-5, further medical exams are unnecessary, and the application is truthful. Section 11-30 sets the permit to expire December 31 following issuance. Section 11-32 lets the director suspend a permit for up to sixty days or revoke it after a hearing for any rule violation, and a sale, transfer, or unapproved alteration of the premises voids the permit automatically.

Separately, § 11-46 and § 11-47 require every individual massage technician working in the parlor to hold a $50 technician's permit, backed by a physical exam and health certificate under § 11-48.