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San Bernardino County, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Governing law
County Code Chapter 19, §§ 41.1901-41.1920
License required
Unincorporated area only, before opening
Operating hours
Closed 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
License term
Two years; renewal window opens 90 days early
Reviewing agencies
Sheriff, Planning Division, Fire District, DEHS
Appeal deadline
15 calendar days from denial or revocation notice
Revocation penalty
Six-month wait before reapplying

Summary

San Bernardino County requires every massage clinic in the unincorporated area to hold a license issued under County Code Chapter 19 before opening. The Land Use Services Department coordinates sign-off from the Sheriff's Department, Planning Division, Fire Protection District and Division of Environmental Health Services, and licensed clinics may not operate between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

City-specific rules exist: Chino, Fontana, Hesperia, Rancho Cucamonga, Rialto, San Bernardino, and Victorville have their own massage establishments rules that differ from San Bernardino County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

§ 41.1903 License Required. It shall be unlawful for any person to own or operate a massage clinic within the unincorporated area of the County of San Bernardino without having an unexpired license issued under this Chapter... § 41.1914 Hours of Operation and Other Restrictions. No massage clinic shall be open or conduct business between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Massage clinics shall not sell or serve food or beverages to any patrons on the premises of the massage clinic.

Source: SBC Land Use ServicesView official code

Full Breakdown

1903 makes it unlawful to own or operate a massage clinic in unincorporated San Bernardino County without an unexpired license issued under this Chapter. 1904), listing every owner with a 10 percent or greater stake, aliases, addresses, physical descriptions, proof of age, and any prior sex-offender registration or Penal Code § 647 conviction. 1908). 1912). 1914). 1915). 1909).

Violations & Fines

Operating a massage clinic in the unincorporated County without a current license, or after the County has suspended or revoked one, is unlawful under §§ 41.1903 and 41.1918(e). The District Attorney or County Counsel can pursue an abatement action treating an out-of-compliance clinic as a public nuisance (§ 41.1917), and violations of the Chapter can also trigger criminal, civil, or administrative action under Title 1, Chapter 2 (§ 41.1919). A revoked license carries a six-month bar on any new application tied to that clinic (§ 41.1918(c)).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does San Bernardino County's massage clinic license apply inside cities like Fontana or Ontario?
No. County Code § 41.1903 only reaches massage clinics in the unincorporated area of San Bernardino County. The 24 incorporated cities within the county, including Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga and San Bernardino itself, license massage establishments under their own municipal codes, not this chapter.
What hours can a licensed massage clinic operate?
County Code § 41.1914 bars any massage clinic from opening or conducting business between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., and separately prohibits clinics from selling or serving food or beverages to patrons on the premises at any time.
How long does a San Bernardino County massage clinic license last?
Under § 41.1912, a license terminates two years after issuance unless the County revokes it sooner. Renewal applications cannot be filed earlier than 90 days before expiration, and a renewal filed while a suspension or revocation proceeding is pending can be decided using findings from that proceeding.
Can the County deny a license because of an owner's criminal record?
Yes. Section 41.1909(b)(5) requires denial if the applicant, any officer, director, or 10-percent-or-greater owner was convicted within the prior ten years of a sex offense, Penal Code § 647 (excluding certain subdivisions), or an offense under Government Code § 51032, or was required to register as a sex offender.
What happens if a clinic operates after its license is revoked?
It becomes a criminal violation under § 41.1918(e), and County officers, including Code Enforcement, the Sheriff's Department, the Fire Protection District, and DEHS, may post a notice on the premises directing that the location be closed and locked to the public.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in San Bernardino County

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All San Bernardino County rules

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Massage Establishments in Cities Across San Bernardino County

San Bernardino, CAFontana, CARancho Cucamonga, CAOntario, CAVictorville, CARialto, CAHesperia, CAChino, CA