Sacramento, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 5.124.040(C)-(D)
- Permit scope
- Valid for one site only
- Permit term
- 2 years, § 5.124.050(A)
- Hours limit
- Closed 10 p.m.-6 a.m., § 5.124.400
- Coverage threshold
- 10%+ of gross receipts from massage
- Civil penalty
- $250–$25,000 per day, § 5.124.110(C)
Summary
Operating a massage business in Sacramento requires a city permit good for only one site. City Code § 5.124.040(C)-(D) bans operating a massage therapy establishment without a valid permit, and Chapter 5.124 layers on two-year permit terms, 10 p.m.-6 a.m. hours limits, lighting rules, and steep daily civil penalties.
5.124.040 Permits required. A. No person shall offer or provide massage therapy services unless the person is a permitted massage therapy practitioner or a certified massage therapy practitioner. B. No person shall own, lease, or have charge or possession of any property upon which, knowingly or unknowingly, massage therapy services are provided by a person who is not a permitted massage therapy practitioner or certified massage therapy practitioner. C. No person shall operate a massage therapy establishment without a valid massage therapy establishment permit. D. A massage therapy establishment permit is valid for only one site.
Full Breakdown
124 (added by Ord. 030. 040 requires anyone offering massage services to be a permitted or certified practitioner, bars property owners from knowingly or unknowingly allowing unpermitted practitioners to work on their property, and in subsections C-D flatly prohibits operating a massage therapy establishment without a valid establishment permit, which is valid for only one site. 050(A) and must be renewed at least 30 days before expiration, with late penalties for untimely renewal. 060, and any attempted sale, assignment, or transfer automatically revokes the permit.
090 bans early-warning devices for law enforcement, including light or music dimmers and electronic detectors. 410 requires adequate exterior LED lighting with full cutoff fixtures that avoid spilling onto neighboring streets and properties. 420.
Violations & Fines
Section 5.124.110 subjects any violation of the chapter to criminal sanctions, civil actions, and administrative penalties under Chapter 1.28, declares violations a public nuisance, and sets civil penalties of not less than $250 nor more than $25,000 for each day the violation continues; violating the exemption provisions of § 5.124.030 specifically is a misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
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Massage Establishments in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sacramento County handle massage establishments.