Saint Paul, MN Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Chapter 412 splits the license by setting: Sec. 03 gives massage or bodywork centers and solo massage centers a Class A license, while home locations get a Class B license. Sec. 18(f) Enforcement Level 6, requires a separate license per business address, mandates the license be displayed prominently, and fixes the term at twelve months unless revoked. Applicants file with the inspector under Sec. 05, disclosing the premises layout, ownership and management names, any criminal history, services offered, and prior license denials or revocations in Saint Paul or Minnesota; DSI and the police department review the file before Class A/B approval.

Construction standards under Sec. 06 require moisture-impervious floors and walls with a one-inch sanitary cove radius, mechanical ventilation delivering two cubic feet per minute per square foot in restrooms and janitor closets, at least fifteen footcandles of light in restrooms and ten in closets, and linens stored six inches off the floor. Class B home locations must additionally keep the massage room separated from normal living space by a closable door, per Sec. 06(b). Sec. 09 lets city environmental health, fire, zoning, building and license inspectors, plus police, enter the premises during any hours a person is present, and requires anyone providing services to identify themselves to an officer on demand.

A change of ownership triggers a new compliance review under Sec. 09(b). Off-site massage that is incidental and infrequent, plus health/sports clubs licensed under Chapter 427 and steam room/bath houses under Chapter 428, are exempt from holding a separate Chapter 412 license per Sec. 01(b), though they remain subject to the chapter's other rules. The director may adopt further operating rules after notice and hearing under Sec. 10.