Southfield, MI Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Section 7.502 makes it unlawful to operate, conduct or carry on a massage establishment or school of massage in Southfield without a valid license, and Sec. 7.503 splits certification between two city officials. The fire chief and the director of building, housing and redevelopment must certify the premises under Chapter 70's licensing procedure, and the chief of police must separately certify the applicant's character, moral integrity and physical and mental condition as not inimical to public health, safety, morals or general welfare. The chief must deny certification if the operation would not comply with applicable law, or if anyone directly or indirectly managing the business has been convicted of a felony, any offense involving criminal sexual conduct, prostitution or pandering, or any crime of theft, fraud or deceit; a denied applicant has a right to a hearing under Chapter 70.

Once licensed, an establishment must follow twelve operating rules in Sec. 7.507: massage is limited to exercise, baths and massage-related services with no medical treatment, only myomassologists holding a current Michigan massage therapy license may practice, employees must wear nontransparent uniforms, patrons' sexual or genital areas must stay covered, and price rates must be posted. Massage establishments must close between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. (Sec. 7.510), and anyone under eighteen may not be massaged absent a physician's written order or a parent present (Sec. 7.511). Physicians, nurses, athletic trainers, and licensed barbers and beauticians acting within their own professions are exempt from the entire chapter (Sec. 7.514).