The City of Los Angeles requires massage therapist and massage day spas to obtain a permit with the city before providing massage services or engaging in the operation of a massage parlor. Routine sting operations are conducted by undercover vice officers regarding the practice and procedures established in massage parlors. Arrests for prostitution , human trafficking, business and professions code violations, and escorting charges may arise from the operation of an unlicensed massage parlor.
LAMC Reference below are the Los Angeles Municipal Code sections for The City of Los Angeles recognizes that the practice of massage is therapeutic and the therapist must have a basic knowledge of anatomy, physiology and an understanding of the relationship between the structure and the function of the tissues being treated and the total function of the body. The City also recognizes that the practice of massage without sufficient training and standards can be dangerous to the public.
Therefore, the purpose and intent of this Ordinance is to regulate massage establishments and massage therapy practitioners in order to protect and promote the public health, safety and welfare by:.
Unless the context or subject matter clearly indicates that a different meaning is intended, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings when used in this section. Amended by Ord. No person shall engage in, promote, advertise, conduct, or carry on, in or upon any premises within the City of Los Angeles, the operation of a massage business without a permit duly issued by the Board pursuant to this subsection for each business location.
This required permit shall be in addition to any business tax license required by ordinance. In addition to those requirements specified in Chapter X, Article 3, Division 3 of this Code, each applicant for a Massage permit shall furnish the following information to the Board:. If the applicant is a partnership, the application shall set forth the name and residence addresses of each of the partners, including limited partnership, and it shall furnish a copy of its certificate of limited partnership as filed with the County Clerk.
