Rochester Hills, MI Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Section 22-56 of the Code of Ordinances, part of Chapter 22's Article II on massage regulation, makes licensing mandatory on three fronts: no person may practice, engage in, carry on or operate the business of a massagist or run a massage parlor, massage school or similar business without first obtaining the required license, no licensed operator may employ a massagist who does not hold a current unrevoked license, and no individual may practice massage for compensation without a personal massagist license. The owner, operator, manager or licensee in charge bears the duty to confirm every massagist working on the premises is properly licensed, and Section 22-56(d) makes an owner who employs or allows an unlicensed massagist to work a violation of the article in its own right.

Getting licensed is not a simple form: Section 22-57 requires applicants to submit fingerprints taken by the county sheriff's department, a portrait photograph, a doctor's certificate showing freedom from contagious disease, prior addresses and employment history, and any criminal convictions, along with an investigation fee set under Section 54-406. The sheriff's department and city staff investigate and recommend approval or denial to the city clerk, and the city council makes the final call under Section 22-60. Massage parlors cannot open to the public between midnight and 10:00 a.m. under Section 22-97, and Section 22-67 lets the city council revoke a license, or the mayor suspend one pending a hearing, for noncompliance with the article.