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Toms River, NJ Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Establishment license
$300/year
Masseur/masseuse license
$200/year
Issued by
Township Clerk
Requires
fingerprint background check
Max penalty
$2,000 or 90 days

Summary

Operating a massage business or working as a masseur or masseuse in Toms River Township requires a separate license from the Township Clerk; the Township Council can deny or reject applicants with a criminal record or evidence of bad character.

No person, firm or corporation shall operate any establishment or utilize any premises in the Township of Toms River as or for a massage business unless and until there first has been obtained a license for such establishment or premises from the Township Clerk of the Township of Toms River in accordance with the terms and provisions of this chapter.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4954830; v33 updated 2026-04-22; through 04-22-2026).

Full Breakdown

Under § 357-1, no person, firm, or corporation may operate a massage establishment or premises in Toms River Township without first obtaining a license from the Township Clerk, and § 357-2 separately requires each masseur or masseuse to hold an individual license. Applicants must submit address history, fingerprints for a State Police background check, and prior employment records. The Township Council reviews each application and can refuse a license based on a criminal conviction or other credible evidence of bad character that would tend to encourage criminal or immoral activity, per § 357-5. Licensed physicians, chiropractors, osteopaths, and physical therapists are exempt under § 357-6.

Violations & Fines

Violating any provision of the massage parlor licensing chapter is punishable by up to 90 days' imprisonment or a fine of up to $2,000, or both, at the court's discretion, per § 357-7.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who licenses massage businesses in Toms River?
The Township Clerk issues both establishment licenses and individual masseur/masseuse licenses, subject to Township Council approval, per §§ 357-1 and 357-2 of the Township Code.
Can Toms River deny a massage license for a criminal record?
Yes. Under § 357-5, a criminal conviction (other than petty offenses or traffic violations) presumptively shows a lack of fitness and can support denial.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Toms River

All Toms River rules

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Massage Establishments in Nearby Cities

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