Salinas, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Chapter 5, Article IV regulates massage businesses and technicians consistent with state Senate Bill 731 and the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC). 03 requires every massage therapist and practitioner to hold a valid CAMTC certificate before providing massage for compensation, with narrow exceptions for licensed healing arts professionals, barbers and cosmetologists acting within their licenses, athletic trainers, and students supervised by an accredited massage school. 03's exceptions. 06; permits run for twelve months and are not transferable. through 12:00 midnight, posted service and price lists, clean linens laundered between patrons, unlocked exterior and interior doors during business hours except when staffing does not allow it, non-transparent outer garments for employees, and a flat ban on alcohol on the premises.

The section also makes it unlawful to touch a patron's sexual or genital parts or to fail to keep them covered by opaque material. The police chief can revoke, suspend, or restrict a permit under Business and Professions Code Section 4612(c) after a hearing conducted by the city manager's office, or immediately without a hearing if continued operation threatens public health or safety, with the hearing then following the suspension. The city can also require a background check of any owner holding five percent or more of the business who is not independently CAMTC certified.