Winston-Salem, NC Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required for
- businesses hiring massage staff
- Solo state-licensed therapists
- exempt from city permit
- Prohibited hours
- 11:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
- 2nd violation in 12 months
- permit revoked, business closed
- Unpermitted operation penalty
- $100.00 per day
Summary
Businesses that hire employees or contractors to perform massage and bodywork therapy must obtain a city business permit; individually licensed solo therapists are exempt. Permitted operations cannot open between 11:30 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
Any business, corporation, LLC, LLP, partnership, or individual who hires employees or independent contractors and is not otherwise exempt from licensure that employs, contracts with, or hires others to perform massage and bodywork therapy, shall obtain a city business permit. ... No business, corporation, LLC, LLP, partnership, or individual permitted under this article shall admit customers or prospective customers, or remain open for business ... between the hours of 11:30 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 102 | Personnel: Supplement 96 | Water and Sewer: Supplement 56 | Solid Waste: Supplement 15).
Full Breakdown
Under Code of Ordinances Ch. 34, Art. IV, any business, corporation, LLC, LLP, or partnership that employs, contracts with, or hires others to perform massage and bodywork therapy must hold a city business permit issued by the city manager (§ 34-26(c)); a state-licensed individual therapist working alone is exempt (§ 34-26(b)). Applicants must disclose ownership, Social Security numbers, and any convictions for sexual-misconduct or prostitution offenses, and the police, fire, and planning departments must report back within 30 days before approval (§ 34-26(d)-(e)). Permitted businesses may not admit customers or remain open between 11:30 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. (§ 34-26(i)).
Violations & Fines
A second notice of violation within a rolling 12-month period requires permit revocation and business closure, with no similar use of the property for six months (§ 34-27(b)-(c)). Operating after revocation or without a permit draws a $100.00 civil penalty per day; the article expressly states these are civil penalties, not a G.S. 14-4 misdemeanor (§ 34-27(d)).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every massage therapist in Winston-Salem need a city permit?
What hours can a licensed massage business operate?
What happens after a second violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Winston-Salem
Compare Winston-Salem to another location·View the North Carolina business licensing & operations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.