Manatee County, FL Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Manatee County Code Chapter 2-19, Article IX regulates massage establishments under the county's police power, per Sec. 2-19-109, and does not apply to hospitals or other separately state-licensed health care offices such as a physician's, physical therapist's, or chiropractor's practice. Sec. 2-19-113 requires every establishment to keep on file a list of everyone performing services there, including home addresses and phone numbers, plus copies of each worker's two most recent state license applications under the Florida Massage Practice Act; no one may perform a massage on the premises without the license Chapter 480 requires, and that license must be available for inspection at all times.

Facility rules are specific: exterior doors may have locks but must stay unlocked while the business is open unless only one employee is present, doors into massage rooms cannot have any device that impedes entry, storefront windows cannot be tinted below 32 percent light transmission or reflect more than 20 percent, and blinds or curtains cannot cover those windows during business hours. Futons, beds, mattresses, and sofas are banned throughout the establishment except a sofa in the customer waiting area. Everyone on the premises besides a customer receiving a massage must stay 'completely clothed,' meaning a shirt covering the arms and neck area and pants or shorts reaching the mid-thigh, and all such clothing must be entirely opaque. Records must be kept three years and made available to the county administrator on request. Sec. m.