San Clemente, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- License required
- Fixed-location massage businesses, § 5.28.030(A)
- Also needs
- Active Conditional Use Permit, § 5.28.060(B)(2)(c)
- Review time
- 60 calendar days
- Renewal
- File 90 days before expiration
- Revocation lock
- 2 years at same address
- Practitioners
- Must hold CAMTC certification
Summary
San Clemente requires a Massage Establishment Business License for every fixed-location massage business, and Section 5.28.060 additionally conditions approval on holding an active Conditional Use Permit under the city's zoning code before the license can issue.
A Massage Establishment Business License shall be required for all businesses at fixed locations within the City that provide massage services as defined within this chapter. It is unlawful for any person to operate or conduct a massage business or to permit a massage establishment to be operated or conducted, in or upon any premises within the City, or to render a massage or permit a massage to be rendered within the City at any location not licensed as a massage establishment, in accordance with the provisions set forth in this chapter. ... c.An approved and active Conditional Use Permit has been obtained for the massage establishment at the proposed location, pursuant to Section 17.28.185 of the San Clemente Municipal Code;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Traffic: Supplement 30 | Code of Ordinances: Supplement 66 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
030(A). 185 of the zoning code before the review authority may issue the business license. 050, including fingerprints, a five-year address and alias history, and disclosure of any prior license denials or revocations anywhere in the state. San Clemente Police Services reviews every application and recommends approval or denial, and the review authority (the City Manager or, at the Manager's option, the City Council) must issue a written decision within 60 calendar days. Every practicing technician must also hold a valid CAMTC certification, and the establishment may employ only CAMTC-certified practitioners. Licenses run one year and must be renewed at least 90 days before expiration. 030(B) and (C).
Violations & Fines
The City Manager may suspend or revoke the license for a false statement in the application, an unpermitted ownership transfer, use of a non-CAMTC-certified practitioner, or any conviction under Government Code Section 51032, and a revoked location cannot host a new massage establishment for two years under Section 5.28.090.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to run a massage business in San Clemente?
Does zoning approval matter separately from the business license?
How long is a massage establishment license valid?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Clemente
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