Resolved Updated

massage establishment licensing

Whether the city should end licensing for massage businesses and therapists

Coming Up

Typically discussed at City Council. Check back when the next agenda is published.

The Story

On July 7, council unanimously removed the city’s own licensing requirement for massage businesses and massage therapists. The reasoning on the record: the state already licenses therapists, and the city wasn’t enforcing its local license anyway. Police and council said laws against illegal activity still apply.

Key Decisions
  1. passed 9-0 City Council · Jul 7, 2025

    25-134 Ordinance to Amend Section 6-4 of the City Code to Eliminate Requirements for City Licensure of Massage Establishments and Massage Technicians

    Motion to waive reading and adopt the ordinance to amend Section 6-4 of the City Code to eliminate requirements for City licensure of massage establishments and massage technicians

    Mark Bittner Yes
    Doug Brandt Yes
    Shannon Derby Yes
    Bill LeClair Yes
    Darla LeClair Yes
    Tim Petri Yes
    Bonnie Shimulunas Yes
    Scott Stechmesser Yes
    Adam Wachowski Yes
Record

  1. Council approved an ordinance changing City Code Section 6-4 to eliminate city licensing requirements for massage establishments and massage technicians.

    City Council

  2. Council passed the ordinance on a 9-0 vote.

    City Council

  3. During discussion, council and police said the state already licenses massage therapists, the city had not been enforcing its own local licensing rules, and other laws against illegal activity still apply.

    City Council
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