Lee County, FL Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- Code of Ordinances §§ 19-86, 19-87
- Covers
- Massage/bodywork businesses not owned by a health provider
- Sign size
- At least 8.5 by 11 inches
- Sign languages
- English, Creole and Spanish
- Enforced by
- Sheriff's Office and code enforcement
- Massage licensing
- Handled by state DBPR, not the county
Summary
Lee County does not license massage establishments itself: the state's Department of Business and Professional Regulation does that under Florida Statutes Chapter 480. What the county's Human Trafficking Ordinance does require, under Sec. 19-87, is a public awareness sign at any massage or bodywork business not owned by a licensed health care professional, warning potential trafficking victims where to get help.
Business or establishment means any place of business or any club, organization, person, firm, corporation or partnership, wherein massage or bodywork services are provided and such establishment is not owned by a health care professional regulated pursuant to F.S. Ch. 456 and defined in F.S. § 456.001, as may be amended...(a)The employer at each of the following establishments shall display public awareness signs in a conspicuous location that is clearly visible to the public and employees of the establishment:(1)A strip club or other adult entertainment establishment.(2)A business or establishment that offers massage or bodywork services for compensation that is not owned by a health care professional regulated pursuant to F.S. Ch. 456 and defined in F.S. § 456.001.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 7 | Land Development Code: Supplement 3 Update 3).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 19, Article IV of the Code of Ordinances, adopted by Ordinance No. 16-04 in 2016, defines 'business or establishment' to include any place, club, organization, person, firm, corporation or partnership that provides massage or bodywork services and is not owned by a health care professional regulated under F.S. Ch. 456. Section 19-87(a) requires the employer at each such business, along with strip clubs and other adult entertainment establishments, to display a public awareness sign in a location clearly visible to the public and employees.
Section 19-87(b) sets the sign's specifications: at least 8.5 by 11 inches, printed in at least 16-point type, and printed in English, Creole and Spanish. The required text directs anyone being forced into an activity they cannot leave, including prostitution, housework, farm work, factory work, retail work or restaurant work, to call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 888-373-7888 or text INFO or HELP to 233-733, and cites F.S. § 787.29 and the local Lee County Code section. Section 19-88 assigns enforcement to the Lee County Sheriff's Office and code enforcement, either of which is empowered to investigate an establishment or person alleged to violate the article.
The ordinance does not create or replace any state massage-therapist or establishment license; that licensing runs entirely through Florida's Board of Massage Therapy under F.S. Ch. 480.
Violations & Fines
The article does not set its own fine schedule, so a failure to post the required sign is enforced as a general Code violation under Sec. 1-7: a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500.00, up to 60 days in the County Jail, or both, with each day the sign remains missing chargeable as a separate, continuing violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Lee County issue massage establishment licenses?
Which businesses have to post the sign?
What does the sign have to say?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lee County
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