San Mateo County, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- Certification required
- CAMTC certification (since 7/1/2012)
- Registration certificate term
- 2 years, no application fee
- Permitted massage hours
- 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Records retention
- 2 years, on-site service log
- Administrative fine per violation
- Up to $500.00
- Suspension range
- 5 days up to full license term
- Overnight staffing rule
- No one on-site 11 p.m.-6 a.m.
Summary
Since July 1, 2012, every massage practitioner working for compensation in unincorporated San Mateo County must hold current CAMTC certification, and every massage business must register with the Director of Environmental Health and employ only CAMTC-certified practitioners under County Code Chapter 5.44.
(a) Individuals. On and after July 1, 2012, it shall be unlawful for any individual to practice massage therapy for compensation as a sole proprietorship or employee of a massage business or in any other capacity within the unincorporated areas of San Mateo County unless that individual is a certified massage practitioner. (b) Businesses. On and after July 1, 2012, it shall be unlawful for any business to provide massage for compensation within the unincorporated areas of San Mateo County unless all individuals employed by the massage business to perform massage, whether as an employee, independent contractor, or sole proprietorship, are certified massage practitioners and said business has obtained a valid county registration certificate as provided in this chapter.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 47).
Full Breakdown
County Code § 5.44.030 bars any individual from practicing massage therapy for compensation, as a sole proprietor, employee, or in any other capacity, in unincorporated San Mateo County unless certified by the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC), and bars any business from providing massage unless every practitioner it uses is CAMTC-certified and the business holds a valid County Registration Certificate. Registration under § 5.44.040 requires the business's name, address, owner information, employee CAMTC certifications, and, for any owner who is not personally CAMTC-certified, a background check covering five years of business and employment history; the Director of Environmental Health issues the certificate, valid two years, with no fee for the registration itself, though the county may charge for health and safety inspections and background checks.
Operating requirements in § 5.44.050 include: massage only between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., with all clients required to exit by 9:00 p.m.; a posted price list in readable language; CAMTC certificates displayed in the reception area; a two-year written service log open to Sheriff inspection; sanitary linens laundered between clients and disposable coverings never reused; daily disinfection of wet/dry rooms and equipment sterilized between clients; reception windows kept at least 90% visible from outside; and no one but custodial staff on the premises between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Investigators from the Sheriff, Health Officer, Director of Environmental Health, and Director of Building and Planning may inspect during regular business hours under § 5.44.060. Section 5.44.080 exempts licensed physicians, chiropractors, nurses, physical therapists, barbers and beauticians (limited to neck, face, scalp, hands, or feet), licensed health facilities, school athletic trainers, and single-event athletic/festival massage under specified conditions; San Francisco International Airport massage businesses are exempt only from the 9:00 p.m. closing rule.
Violations & Fines
Under § 5.44.100, the Sheriff may issue an administrative fine of up to $500.00 per violation, with each client served in violation and each day a business stays open in violation counting as a separate violation. Fine notices go out by certified mail and can be appealed in writing to the Director of Environmental Health within 10 days; unpaid fines after 30 days may go to collections and block any registration renewal. Separately, § 5.44.110 lets the Sheriff suspend a County Registration Certificate for 5 days up to the full license term, or revoke it outright, for lapsed CAMTC certification, an owner's disqualifying criminal conviction or sex-offender registration, a material misrepresentation on the application, or violations of the chapter, state law, or Business and Professions Code § 4600 et seq.; suspensions and revocations are appealable to the License Board within 10 days.
Operating contrary to the chapter is also declared a public nuisance and an unlawful business practice under Business and Professions Code § 17200, which County Counsel or the District Attorney may enjoin in Superior Court (§§ 5.44.090, 5.44.120).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does San Mateo County's massage registration apply where I live?
What happens if a massage business stays open past 9 p.m.?
Who is exempt from the CAMTC certification requirement?
Can the county revoke a massage business's registration?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Mateo County
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