Staff Report of the Week: Addition to Municipal Code to Include Massage Therapy Establishments
Each week, Louis Dettorre will provide the PublicCEO Staff Report of the Week. Nominate yourself or a colleague by e-mailing
The city of San Rafael upheld Municipal Code 8.31 to address the need to regulate massage therapy businesses in the interests of the public health, safety, and welfare until recently.
The city issued practitioner permits and business owner permits, with the primary goal of reducing unlawful acts of prostitution and pandering.
In 2008 the California Legislature added a new chapter, Senate Bill 731, to the California Business and Professions Code, entitled “Massage Therapists,” which allows the formation of a nonprofit “Massage Therapy Organization”.
The new state law provides a way to become voluntary certificated to practice massage therapy in California.
It is now deemed an unfair business practice to provide massage services without holding certification from the newly created California Massage Therapy Council.
Certification from the California Massage Therapy Council allows practitioners to operate in any city within the State without being required to obtain a local permit to practice.
By adding Municipal Code 10.90 and eliminating 8.31, the City will reduce involvement in local massage therapy licensing, while complying with State law.
San Rafael still encourages and will facilitate the ethical practice of massage therapy.
View the report here.
Louis Dettorre can be reached at ldettorre@publicceo.com. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it