Royal Oak, MI Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Adopted in 1996 and rewritten in full in 2011 (Ord. No. 2011-16), Chapter 447 layers a two-track licensing scheme on top of state regulation: a massage establishment license for the business itself, issued through the City Clerk's office, and a separate massage therapist license issued by the State of Michigan for each individual practitioner (§447-3). Owners bear responsibility under §447-3C for confirming every therapist they employ holds a valid state license or a recognized exemption. Applicants file a sworn application with the City Clerk and pay a nonrefundable investigation fee set by City Commission resolution; the application must disclose ten years of addresses, prior business history, any license suspensions or revocations, and criminal convictions (§447-4).

The Chief of Police then investigates whether the applicant is of "suitable character," weighing penal history, license history, business history, and any other relevant information, and must complete that investigation within 45 days (§447-5). If the applicant clears that screen, the Chief Building Inspector and Fire Chief inspect the premises for compliance with plumbing, heating, electrical, and zoning codes. Licenses renew annually, filed at least 45 days before expiration (§447-6). Operationally, the chapter bars anyone under 18 from the premises as therapist, employee, or patron (§447-14), prohibits alcohol on site (§447-15), limits hours to between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. (§447-16), and in §447-19 makes it unlawful to touch, expose, or fail to cover sexual or genital areas for purposes of sexual arousal or gratification, or to operate any room with a lockable door. A massage establishment must also be located as Zoning Chapter 770 allows (§447-20).