Montgomery County, MD Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- Licenses required
- Establishment, manager, and worker
- Issuing authority
- Director, Dept. of Health and Human Services
- License term
- 1 year, must renew annually
- Non-transferable
- Locked to one person and location
- Max penalty
- $1,000 fine / 6 months jail
Summary
Montgomery County requires a Director-issued license to own or operate a massage establishment, plus separate manager and worker licenses, under County Code Chapter 24.
Any massage establishment must have a license issued by the Director under this Section... A person must not own or operate a massage establishment without obtaining a massage establishment license. This requirement may be enforced by the Director or the Police Department. The Director or the Police Department may close an unlicensed massage establishment until the business and each person owning or operating the business obtains a license under this Section.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-90: Montgomery County Code contains legislation effective through May 7, 2026 | Zoning Updated Effective: April 13, 2026 | COMCOR Regulations effective as of July 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Under County Code § 24-8, any business where massage is performed by someone who isn't a state-certified massage therapist or registered massage practitioner must hold a massage establishment license from the Director of Health and Human Services. The licensee/owner or a licensed manager must be on-site whenever the business is open, and every non-exempt masseur or masseuse needs a separate County massage worker's license. The Director and Police Department may inspect at any time and can close an unlicensed establishment. Businesses where everyone performing massage is state-certified are exempt from the licensing scheme entirely.
Violations & Fines
Operating, managing, or working in a massage establishment without the required license is a class A violation: up to $1,000 and 6 months in jail criminally, or a $500 civil fine ($750 for a repeat offense). The Director or Police can also shut down an unlicensed establishment until it's licensed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do state-licensed massage therapists need a County license too?
Can a massage establishment license transfer with a sale?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montgomery County
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