Santa Rosa, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Santa Rosa's Chapter 20-49, adopted by Ordinance 2025-004 and amended by Ordinance 2026-004, implements the state's Massage Therapy Act (Business and Professions Code Section 4600 et seq.) at the local level. Section 20-49.030 makes two things unlawful outright: any Individual practicing Massage Therapy for compensation in the city, whether as a sole proprietor, Employee, or Independent Therapist, without a current Certified Massage Therapist credential from the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC), and any Business operating as a Massage Establishment without a valid City Massage Establishment certificate.

Section 20-49.040 spells out the application: the legal name and address of the Establishment matching its lease and Zoning Clearance, the names and contact information of every Business Owner, an approved Zoning Clearance or Use Permit plus a current business tax certificate under Chapter 6-04, a dimensioned digital floor plan showing compliance with the Section 20-49.050 operational standards, and a roster of every Therapist or Employee working 10 or more cumulative days in any 30-day period. Owners and non-certified employees must also complete Live Scan fingerprinting and submit a five-year business and employment history, including any prior massage, spa, or bathhouse operations anywhere in Sonoma County.

Once issued, a certificate runs through December 31 of the second calendar year after issuance, so renewal timing depends on the issuance date, and renewal applications must be filed no sooner than 60 days before expiration and never after it lapses. Fees for the application, renewal, supplemental inspections, and background checks are all set by City Council resolution. Mobile Massage and Home-Based massage services are barred by default and require a separate Administrative Adjustment under Section 20-49.090 before they may operate at all.