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

Significant Restrictions

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

Key Facts

Certificate/permit required: Before operating (§ 10.90.050(A))
Practitioner certification: CAMTC certified required (§ 10.90.030)
Closing hours: 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. closure (§ 10.90.090(A)(1))
Term: 1 year, renewed annually
Revocation standard: Clear and convincing evidence, hearing required (§ 10.90.120)
Post-revocation moratorium: 1 year before new establishment at site

Summary

No massage establishment can open in San Rafael without a city-issued certified massage establishment certificate or an operator permit, and every practitioner working there must hold current California Massage Therapy Council certification. The chapter also fixes closing hours, 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., and lets the police-led permit authority suspend or revoke a permit for violations.

It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to operate a massage establishment within the city without first obtaining a certified massage establishment certificate or an operator permit pursuant to the requirements of this chapter. ... It shall be unlawful for any individual to practice massage therapy for compensation within the city unless that individual is currently certified as a certified massage practitioner as defined in Section 10.90.020. ... No massage establishment shall be kept open for business between the hours of ten p.m. (10:00 p.m.) of one day and seven a.m. (7:00 a.m.) of the following day. A massage begun any time before ten p.m. (10:00 p.m.) must nevertheless terminate at ten p.m. (10:00 p.m.). The hours of operation of the massage establishment shall be displayed in a conspicuous public place in the reception and waiting area and in any front window clearly visible from outside of the massage establishment.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 37).

Full Breakdown

070). 030 bars any individual from practicing massage therapy for compensation in the city unless currently certified as a certified massage practitioner by the California Massage Therapy Council. 070(A)). 070(I), (H)). ; the posted hours must be visible from the front window. The same section requires a duly certified practitioner on site whenever a patron is being treated, restricts visitors to the reception area with narrow exceptions for parents of minors or caretakers of elderly or disabled patrons, and bans alcohol anywhere on the premises.

Violations & Fines

The permit authority may suspend or revoke a certificate or operator permit after a hearing on clear and convincing evidence of a chapter violation, a Penal Code Section 290 registration requirement, a disqualifying conviction under Penal Code Sections 266, 315, 316, 318, 647(b) or 653.22, or sexual conduct toward a patron (§ 10.90.120). Notice of the hearing must issue ten to sixty days ahead, and the decision is final subject to judicial review (§ 10.90.130). A violation is also a public nuisance the city attorney can abate civilly (§ 10.90.160), and a revoked location faces a one-year moratorium before reopening (§ 10.90.060(J)(2)).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a massage therapist need certification to work in San Rafael?

Yes. Section 10.90.030 makes it unlawful for anyone to practice massage therapy for compensation in the city unless currently certified as a certified massage practitioner by the California Massage Therapy Council. The establishment employing that person also needs its own certificate or operator permit under Section 10.90.050(A), and both must be on file before any client is treated.

What hours can a San Rafael massage business stay open?

Section 10.90.090(A)(1) requires every massage establishment to close between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.; a massage that begins before 10:00 p.m. must still end by that hour. The establishment must post its hours in the reception area and in a front window visible from outside, and patrons may only be present during posted hours.

Can San Rafael revoke a massage establishment's permit?

Yes. Section 10.90.120 lets the permit authority revoke or suspend a certificate or operator permit after a hearing if it finds, by clear and convincing evidence, a chapter violation, a disqualifying criminal conviction, required Penal Code Section 290 registration, or sexual conduct toward a patron. A revoked location cannot host a new massage establishment for at least one year under Section 10.90.060(J)(2).

Are chiropractors or physical therapists covered by San Rafael's massage ordinance?

No. Section 10.90.150 exempts physicians, chiropractors, physical therapists, nurses and other licensed healing-art professionals acting within their license, along with athletic trainers, licensed barbers, estheticians and cosmetologists, and massage school students performing supervised, uncompensated internships on a permitted establishment's premises.

Sources & Official References

[1]San Rafael Municipal Code, Chapter 10.90 (Municode)

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