Police Code Article 29 requires every massage establishment in San Francisco to obtain a permit from the Police Department, employ only state-certified practitioners, and meet specific facility, signage, and operating-hour standards.
Police Code Article 29 governs both massage establishments and individual practitioners. Establishments must hold a permit issued by the SFPD Permits Office after background checks, fire inspection, and Planning Department zoning sign-off. Only practitioners certified by the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) may provide massage services. Operating hours are limited to 7:00 a.m. through 10:00 p.m., interior treatment rooms must be unlocked during business hours, and clear signage with the permit number must be posted at the entrance. Sole proprietors operating a single-practitioner business may qualify for a simpler permit category. Permits are renewed annually with re-inspection.
Operating without a permit, employing non-CAMTC staff, locking treatment rooms, or operating outside permitted hours triggers SFPD fines, permit suspension, and possible misdemeanor charges.
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