Vestavia Hills, AL Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Article IV of the Code of Ordinances, rewritten by Ordinance No. 3009 on June 14, 2021, governs every massage parlor operating within city limits. Section 8-82 requires the owner or person in charge to hold an establishment license from the State of Alabama Board of Massage Therapy, a personal massage therapist license from the same board, and a City of Vestavia Hills business license before opening to the public. The article exempts hospitals, nursing homes, and treatment prescribed by a licensed physician, osteopath, chiropractor, or physical therapist under Section 8-83.

Every massage parlor must comply with Jefferson County Department of Health rules and Alabama Board of Massage Therapy regulations, and must open its premises during all hours of operation to inspection by the county health department, the state board, and the Vestavia Hills Police Department. Before hiring, an operator must file an affidavit listing every employee with the police chief, along with a copy of each masseur's or masseuse's state license, updated again before the annual business license renewal. Treatment rules under Section 8-89 require patrons' private parts to stay covered at all times and prohibit any massage behind locked doors.

A sign no larger than allowed under the zoning ordinance, with letters at least three inches tall, must read 'licensed masseur' or 'licensed masseuse' at the entrance. Section 8-84 lets the city revoke or suspend a license after a hearing before the governing body, with at least ten days' written notice, and bars a revoked operator from getting a new massage parlor license in the city or its police jurisdiction for 12 months.