Visalia, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Business tax certificate (massage establishment permit)
- Therapist certification
- CAMTC certification required for all massage workers
- Certificate display
- CAMTC certificates must be visibly displayed at every massage location
- Civil penalty
- Up to $500/day per violation + attorney's fees
- Admin fine schedule
- $100 / $200 / $500 for 1st / 2nd / 3rd+ violations
- Inspections
- Unannounced inspections authorized. Building, Fire, Police, Code Enforcement, County Health
Summary
Massage establishments in Visalia must obtain a city business tax certificate (the massage establishment permit), and every massage therapist on staff must hold a current CAMTC certification displayed prominently on-site.
5.68.080 Permit issuance. The director shall issue the business tax certificate for the massage establishment, also referred to as the massage establishment permit after the planning and community preservation department, planning division has determined that the applicant meets applicable municipal code requirements including but not limited to the zoning ordinance, this chapter, and no grounds for denial exist. [§ 5.68.080(A)]
5.68.150 Enforcement and penalties. Any person violating any provision of this chapter is liable in a civil action brought by the city attorney for an amount up to $500 per violation. Such person is also liable for reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred by the city attorney in any civil proceeding filed to enforce this chapter. Each day that a violation continues may be considered a new and subsequent offense. Alternatively the city may choose to enforce violations through the administrative code enforcement process described in Chapter 1.13 of the Visalia Municipal Code, with violations being punishable with a $100 fine for the first violation, a $200 fine for the second violation, and a $500 fine for the third and subsequent violations. [§ 5.68.150(A)(B)]
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-50: Municipal Code contains Supplement, current through Ordinance 2025-15, passed 12-15-2025).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 5.68 requires that any massage establishment secure a business tax certificate after the planning division confirms zoning compliance and no denial grounds exist. All massage technicians must be CAMTC-certified; certificates must be visibly displayed for customers and city representatives at every location where massage is performed. The permit can be denied or revoked for a single instance of prohibited conduct: including criminal convictions, sex offender registration, fraud, prior permit revocations, or practicing without CAMTC certification. Building, Code Enforcement, Fire, Police, and the County Health Department are all authorized to conduct unannounced inspections.
Violations & Fines
Civil penalties up to $500 per violation per day, plus attorney's fees (§ 5.68.150(A)). Alternatively, administrative fines of $100 (first offense), $200 (second), $500 (third and subsequent), each day being a separate offense. A single violation of any prohibited-conduct ground triggers permit suspension or revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do massage therapists need to be licensed in Visalia?
What can cause a massage establishment permit to be revoked?
Can the city inspect my massage business without notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Visalia
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