Spokane County, WA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Spokane County Code Chapter 7.07 requires a license from the Spokane County Sheriff before anyone conducts, operates or maintains a massage parlor or bathhouse (SCC 7.07.020), and a separate employee license before anyone gives massages or baths or works in such an establishment (SCC 7.07.040). Applicants submit fingerprints, two passport-style photographs, five years of residence and employment history, and any criminal record to the sheriff under SCC 7.07.030 and 7.07.050. SCC 7.07.070 sets the establishment license fee at thirty-five dollars on initial application and ten dollars on annual renewal, with the same fee schedule for employee licenses; the employee fee is waived if that person already holds the establishment license. SCC 7.07.080 makes licenses expire every January 1st.

The sheriff can deny, suspend or revoke a license under SCC 7.07.110 and 7.07.120 for a felony conviction within the past five years, a sex-offense, drug or liquor-law violation, moral turpitude, lack of good moral character, or misconduct discreditable to the business. SCC 7.07.130 lets a denied or revoked applicant petition the Board of County Commissioners for a hearing within ten days, with further appeal to Spokane County Superior Court. SCC 7.07.210 bars conducting business between ten p.m. and six a.m., subject to a sheriff-approved variance. SCC 7.07.220 sets eighteen as the minimum employee age, SCC 7.07.240 bans alcohol and drugs on the premises, and SCC 7.07.200 requires a three-year transaction record open to sheriff inspection.