Schenectady, NY Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Chapter 177, adopted by the City Council on September 2, 1975 as Local Law No. 6-1975, regulates who may practice massage anywhere in Schenectady billed as a massage parlor. Section 177-1 defines MASSAGE as the application of stroking, kneading, tapping and vibrating to the muscular structure for improving muscle tone and circulation, and defines MASSAGE PARLOR as any establishment, by whatever name called, where massages are administered, expressly carving out hospitals, nursing homes, medical clinics, the offices of physicians, surgeons, physical therapists, chiropractors and osteopaths, barbershops and beauty salons limited to scalp, face, neck or shoulder work, and registered massage schools.

Section 177-2 then bars anyone who is not a licensed masseur or masseuse under Article 155 of the Education Law from practicing massage at a covered establishment, while carving out doctors, nurses, osteopaths, physical therapists, chiropractors and podiatrists licensed under Title VIII of the Education Law. There is no separate city massage-parlor business license; the license that matters is the individual practitioner's state credential. Enforcement runs through Corporation Counsel, which can also proceed against the owner or tenant of a noncompliant establishment under Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law Section 715 in addition to a criminal prosecution.