O 617 ORDINANCE NO. 617
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE REPEALING AND REPLACING CHAPTER
5.56 OF THE ARROYO GRANDE MUNICIPAL CODE IN ITS
ENTIRETY REGARDING MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande desires to provide for the orderly
regulation of persons and establishments engaged in the practice of massage therapy, as
defined in this Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande desires to both recognize the practice
of massage therapy as a valid professional field and discourage the use of massage therapy as
a subterfuge by persons with criminal tendencies to commit unlawful activity; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande recognizes that the creation of the
Califomia Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) was intended to serve the interests of the
general public and the massage therapy profession by making the process of certification
consistent throughout the State; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande recognizes that statewide CAMTC
certification will streamline and standardize massage therapist registration procedures, assist
local governments keeping track of whether a massage therapist is licensed or certified
elsewhere in the State, and increase transparency for the public regarding the meaning of
"certified" related to massage therapy
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande as
follows:
SECTION 1. Arroyo Grande Municipal Code Chapter 5.56 is hereby repealed and replaced in
its entirety as set forth in Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.
SECTION 2. If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, or clause of this
Ordinance or any part thereof is for any reason held to be unlawful, such decision shall not affect
the validity of the remaining portion of this Ordinance or any part thereof. The City Council hereby
declares that it would have passed each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, or
clause thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more section, subsection, subdivision,
paragraph, sentence, or clause be declared unconstitutional.
SECTION 3. A summary of this Ordinance shall be published in a newspaper published and
circulated in the City of Arroyo Grande at least five (5) days prior to the City Council meeting at
which the proposed Ordinance is to be adopted. A certified copy of the full text of the proposed
Ordinance shall be posted in the office of the City Clerk. Within fifteen (15) days after adoption
of the Ordinance, the summary with the names of those City Council Members voting for and
against the Ordinance shall be published again, and the City Clerk shall post a certified copy of
the full text of such adopted Ordinance.
ORDINANCE NO. 617
PAGE 2
SECTION 4. This Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after its adoption.
On motion by Council Member Amold, seconded by Council Member Fellows, and by the following
roll call vote to wit:
AYES: Council Members Amold, Fellows, Guthrie, and Mayor Ferrara
NOES: None
ABSENT: Council Member Costello
the foregoing Ordinance was adopted this 8"' day of December 2009.
ORDINANCE NO. 1°"1
PAGE 3
TONY FERR M AYOR
ATTEST: CC(J//
KELLY W TM E, CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
J ENA D A,CIW MANAGER
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
TI TTORNEY
THY J CARM L, C
ORDINANCE NO. 617
PAGE 4
EXHIBIT A
CHAPTER 5.56
MASSAGE THERAPY REGULATIONS
Sections:
5.56.010 Massage therapy license required
5.56.020 Definitions.
5.56.030 Exemptions from chapter.
5.56.040 Registration and notification requirements.
5.56.050 Hours of operation.
5.56.060 Prohibited advertising practices.
5.56.070 Minors.
5.56.080 Physical facility and building code requirements.
5.56.090 Health and safety requirements.
5.56.100 Attire and physical hygiene requirements.
5.56.110 Inspection by government officials.
5.56.120 Owner and operator responsibility — Denial, revocation, restriction or
suspension of business license.
5.56.130 Remedies cumulative — Each day a separate offense.
5.56.140 Public nuisance.
5.56.150 Criminal penalties.
5.56.160 Civil injunction.
5.56.010 Massage therapy license required — Deadline for compliance.
Except where a specific exemption is applicable pursuant to Section 5.56.030, it is a
violation of this chapter for:
A. Any person to engage in the practice of massage therapy, and any massage
business or establishment to employ or retain such a person, unless such person first
obtains and continues to maintain in full force and effect a valid CAMTC certificate.
B. Notwithstanding subsection A of this section, valid massage permits for the year
2009 that would otherwise have expired on December 31, 2009 that were issued by the
City pursuant to the prior chapter of this Code regulating Massage Establishments, shall
be deemed valid and shall be extended for a period of sixty (60) days from the effective
date of this chapter. Holders of such City issued massage permits shall be permitted to
continue to practice pursuant to the City issued permit, and subject to the provisions of
this chapter, provided that he or she files for and diligently pursues obtaining a CAMTC
certificate. The Police Chief or his /her designee may extend the period of time that a
City massage permit is valid if it is deemed reasonably necessary to allow a permittee
additional time to secure a CAMTC certificate.
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5.56.020 Definitions.
A. "CAMTC Certificate" shall mean the certificate issued by the massage therapy
organization to massage therapists pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 4601 of the
California Business and Professions Code, and to massage practitioners pursuant to
subdivision (b) of Section 4601 of the California Business and Professions Code or
subdivision (a) or (c) of Section 4604 of the California Business and Professions Code.
B. "City" shall mean the City of Arroyo Grande.
C. "Compensation" shall mean the payment, loan, advance, donation, contribution,
deposit, exchange, or gift of money or anything of value.
D. "Employed or Retained By" shall include:
1. Any person who is a directly paid employee of a massage business or
establishment;
2. Any person whose association with a massage business or establishment is
that of an independent contractor who receives compensation for massage therapy
provided to patrons of the business or establishment; and
3. Any person who receives a referral of patrons from a massage business or
establishment and who at any time before or after the referral arranges in any way for
compensation to flow to the massage business or establishment or any of its owners
(regardless of whether the parties involved acknowledge that compensation is flowing in
exchange for the referral, or such parties record such compensation in their financial
records).
E. "License" or "Permit" shall mean the authorization issued by the City allowing the
practice of massage therapy. Also known as a massage permit.
F. "Licensee" shall mean a person to whom a massage permit has been issued.
G. "Massage, Massage Therapy, and Bodywork" are used in this chapter
interchangeably and shall mean the application of various techniques to the muscular
structure and soft tissues of the human body, including, but not limited to, any method of
pressure or friction against, or stroking, kneading, rubbing, tapping, compression,
pounding, vibrating, rocking or stimulating of the external surfaces of the body with
hands or with any object or appliance. The terms "massage," "massage therapy," and
"bodywork" specifically exclude the diagnosis, prescription, intentional manipulation or
adjustments of the skeletal structure, or any other service, procedure or therapy which
requires a license to practice (e.g., chiropractic, osteopathy, orthopedics, physical
therapy, podiatry, or medicine), hypnosis, naturopathic, colonic irrigation, acupuncture,
vacuum cupping, nutritional or dietary counseling, detoxification programs, yoga,
exercise, spiritual healing, or procedures which penetrate body cavities, either manually
or with any other method of intrusion.
H. "Massage Business or Establishment" shall mean any business or establishment
which offers massage therapy in exchange for compensation, whether at a fixed place
of business or at a location designated by the patron. Any business or establishment
which offers any combination of massage therapy and bath facilities, including, but not
limited to, showers, baths, wet and dry heat rooms, pools and hot tubs, shall be deemed
a massage business or establishment under this chapter.
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I. "Massage Practitioner" shall mean any person to whom a CAMTC certificate has
been issued pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 4601 of the California Business and
Professions Code, or subdivision (a) or (c) of Section 4604 of the California Business
and Professions Code, and who is engaged in the practice of massage therapy for
compensation. As used in this chapter, the terms "bodywork practitioner" or "massage
and bodywork practitioner" shall have the same meaning as "massage practitioner."
J. "Massage Therapist" shall mean any person to whom a CAMTC certificate has
been issued pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 4601 of the California Business and
Professions Code and who is engaged in the practice of massage therapy for
compensation. As used in this chapter, the terms "bodyworker," "bodywork therapist," or
"massage and bodywork therapist" shall have the same meaning as "massage
therapist."
K. "Operator" shall mean any person who supervises, manages, directs, organizes,
controls or in any other way is responsible for or in charge of the overall operation,
conduct or activities of a massage business or establishment.
L. "Owner" shall mean any of the following persons:
1. The sole proprietor of a massage business or establishment. As used in this
chapter, the term "sole proprietor" shall mean a massage business or establishment
where the owner is the only person employed by that business or establishment to
provide massage therapy;
2. Any general partner of a partnership that owns and operates a massage
business or establishment; or
3. Any person who has a 20 percent or greater ownership interest in a
corporation that owns and operates a massage business or establishment.
M. "Person" shall mean any individual, proprietorship, partnership, corporation, firm,
association, joint stock company, or combination of the above in whatever form or
character.
N. "Police Chief" shall mean the Police Chief of the City of Arroyo Grande or his or
her authorized representative(s).
5.56.030 Exemptions from chapter.
This chapter shall not apply to:
A. Persons holding a valid certificate to practice the healing arts under the laws of the
State of California and their employees, including, but not limited to, holders of medical
degrees such as physicians, surgeons, .chiropractors, osteopaths, naturopaths,
podiatrists, acupuncturists, physical therapists, registered nurses and licensed
vocational nurses;
B. State - licensed hospitals, nursing homes, sanitariums, physiotherapy
establishments, or other state - licensed physical or mental health facilities and their
employees;
C. Recognized schools of massage and their students in training, provided such
students provide massage therapy only under the direct personal supervision of an
instructor;
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D. Barbers and cosmetologists who are licensed under the laws of the State of
California while providing massage therapy within the scope of their licenses; provided,
that such massage therapy is limited solely to the neck, face, scalp, feet and lower limbs
up to the knees, and hands and amts, of their patrons;
E. Persons who provide massage therapy to amateur, semi - professional or
professional athletes or athletic teams, facilities or events, so long as such persons do
not practice massage therapy as their primary occupation within City limits;
F. Persons who hold a valid CAMTC certificate who are practicing consistent with the
qualifications established by such certificate and whose practice, as such, may not be
regulated by the City other than the requirement for possession of a business license;
and
G. Massage businesses or establishments as defined under paragraph (1) of
subdivision (b) of Section 4612 of the California Business and Professions Code, except
that such businesses or establishments shall not be exempt from this chapter to the
extent Section 4612 expressly permits the regulation of such businesses or
establishments by local ordinance.
5.56.040 Registration and notification requirements.
A. Every nonexempt massage business or establishment and every massage
business or establishment as defined under paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section
4612 of the California Business and Professions Code, shall:
1. Provide the Police Department with a copy or other evidence of the massage
therapy license or CAMTC certificate of every person who is employed or retained by
the business or establishment to provide massage therapy, within 30 calendar days of
the commencement of such person's period of employment;
2. Maintain on its premises a copy or other evidence of each such massage
therapy license or CAMTC certificate for review by the Police Department; and
3. Notify the Police Chief of any intention to rename, change management, or
convey the business or establishment to another person.
B. Every licensee shall notify the Police Chief of a change in the licensee's home
address, and the address of the massage business or establishment where the licensee
is regularly employed or retained to provide massage therapy, within 30 days of such
change.
5.56.050 Hours of operation. -
No licensee, whether such license is issued through the CAMTC certification process
or the City application process, and no nonexempt massage business or establishment,
or massage business or establishment described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of
Section 4612 of the California Business and Professions Code, shall provide massage
therapy to the public for compensation between the hours of ten p.m. and seven a.m. of
the following day.
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5.56.060 Prohibited advertising practices.
A. It is a violation of this chapter for any person who does not possess a valid CAMTC
certificate or a valid City massage permit, and for any massage business or
establishment that employs or retains such a person, to:
1. State or advertise or put out any sign or card or other device, or to represent
to the public through any print or electronic media, that such person is certified,
registered or licensed by a governmental agency as a massage therapist or massage
practitioner; or
2. Hold oneself out or use the title of "certified massage therapist," "certified
massage practitioner," or any other term, such as "licensed," "registered," or "CMT," that
implies or suggests that such person is the holder of a CAMTC certificate.
B. It is a violation of this chapter for any massage business or establishment,
licensee, or any other person providing massage therapy to the public for
compensation, to advertise through any print or electronic media that is classified for
adults only or similar classification.
5.56.070 Minors.
It shall be unlawful for any nonexempt massage business or establishment, and for
any massage business or establishment described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of
Section 4612 of the California Business and Professions Code, to:
A. Employ or retain any person who is under the age of 18 years to provide any
massage therapy to the public for compensation; or
B. Provide massage therapy to any person who is under the age of 18 years, except
at the special instance and request of a parent or other person in lawful custody of the
minor.
5.56.080 Physical facility and building code requirements.
The following physical facility and building code requirements shall be applicable to all
nonexempt massage businesses or establishments, and to all massage businesses or
establishments described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 4612 of the
California Business and Professions Code:
A. Except when there is no staff available to assure security for massage therapy
patrons and staff who are behind closed doors, no massage therapy may be carried on
behind locked closed doors.
B. All doors to dressing rooms, toilet rooms and massage therapy rooms or cubicles
shall open inward and shall be self - closing. Draw drapes, curtain enclosures, or
accordion - pleated closures in lieu of doors are acceptable on all inner dressing rooms
and massage therapy rooms or cubicles.
C. Minimum lighting equivalent to at least one 40 -watt light shall be provided in each
massage therapy room or cubicle.
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D. A massage table shall be used for all massage therapy, with the exception of
"Thai," "Shiatsu," and similar forms of massage therapy, which may be provided on a
padded mat on the floor, provided the patron is fully attired in loose clothing, pajamas,
scrubs or similar style of garment. The tables should have a minimum height of 18
inches. Beds, floor mattresses and waterbeds are not permitted on the premises of the
business or establishment.
E. All locker facilities that are provided for the use of patrons shall be fully secured for
the protection of the patron's valuables, and the patron shall be given control of the key
or other means of access.
F. The business or establishment shall comply with all applicable State codes as
established in the California Code of Regulations and adopted by the City including, but
not limited to, a system of adequate ventilation, a supply of hot and cold running water,
a supply of potable drinking water, hand washing facilities and public toilet rooms.
5.56.090 Health and safety requirements.
The following health and safety requirements shall be applicable to all nonexempt
massage businesses or establishments, and to all massage businesses or
establishments described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 4612 of the
California Business and Professions Code:
A. The business or establishment shall at all times be equipped with an adequate
supply of clean sanitary towels, coverings and linens, and all massage tables shall be
covered with a clean sheet or other clean covering for each patron. After a towel,
covering or linen has once been used it shall be deposited in a closed receptacle and
not used until properly laundered and sanitized. Towels, coverings and linens shall be
laundered either by regular commercial laundering or by a noncommercial laundering
process which includes immersion in water at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit for not less
than 15 minutes during the washing or rinsing operation. Clean towels, coverings and
linens shall be stored in closed, clean cabinets when not in use.
B. All massage therapy rooms or cubicles, wet and dry heat rooms, toilet rooms,
shower compartments, and hot tubs and pools shall be thoroughly cleaned and
disinfected as needed, and at least once each business day the premises are open and
such facilities are in use. All bathtubs shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after
each use.
C. All liquids, creams, or other preparations used on or made available to patrons
shall be kept in clean and closed containers. Powders maybe kept in clean shakers. All
bottles and containers shall be distinctly and correctly labeled to disclose their contents.
When only a portion of a liquid, cream or other preparation is to be used on or made
available to a patron, it shall be removed from the container in such a way as not to
contaminate the remaining portion.
D. No invasive procedures shall be performed on any patron. Invasive procedures
include, but are not limited to: (1) application of electricity which contracts the muscle;
(2) application of topical lotions, creams, or other substances which affect living tissue,
such as chemical peel preparations or bleaches; (3) penetration of the skin by metal
needles; (4) abrasion of the skin below the nonliving, epidermal layers; (5) removal of
skin by means of any razor -edged instrument or other device or tool; and (6) any
ORDINANCE NO. 617
PAGE 10
needle -like instrument which is used for the purpose of extracting skin blemishes and
other similar procedures.
E. All bathrobes, bathing suits and /or other garments that are provided for the use of
patrons shall be either fully disposable and shall not be used by more than one patron,
or shall be laundered after each use pursuant to subsection A of this section.
F. All combs, brushes, and /or other personal items of grooming or hygiene that are
provided for the use of patrons shall be either fully disposable and shall not be used by
more than one patron, or shall be fully disinfected after each use.
G. No patrons shall be allowed to use any shower facilities of the business or
establishment unless such patrons are wearing slip- resistant sandals or flip -flops while
in the shower compartment. All footwear such as sandals or flip -flops that are provided
for the use of patrons shall be either fully disposable and shall not be used by more than
one patron, or shall be fully disinfected after each use.
H. The patron's genitals, pubic area, anus, and female patron's breasts below a point
immediately above the top of the areola must be fully draped at all times while any
employee of the business or establishment is in the massage therapy room or cubicle
with the patron. No massage therapy shall be provided to a patron that results in
intentional contact, or occasional and repetitive contact, with the genitals, anus, or
areola of a patron.
5.56.100 Attire and physical hygiene requirements.
The following attire and physical hygiene requirements shall be applicable to all
licensees, and to all massage therapists and massage practitioners who are employed
or retained by a nonexempt massage business or establishment, or by a massage
business or establishment described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 4612
of the California Business and Professions Code:
A. All persons shall be clean and wear clean and sanitary outer garments at all times.
All outer garments shall be of a fully opaque, nontransparent material and provide
complete covering from at least the mid -thigh to two inches below the collarbone. The
midriff may not be exposed.
B. All persons shall thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water or any equally
effective cleansing agent immediately before providing massage therapy to a patron. No
massage therapy shall be provided upon a surface of the skin or scalp of a patron
where such skin is inflamed, broken (e.g., abraded, cut) or where a skin infection or
eruption is present. -
C. No person afflicted with an infection or parasitic infestation capable of being
transmitted to a patron shall knowingly provide massage therapy to a patron, or remain
on the premises of a massage business or establishment while so infected or infested.
Infections or parasitic infestations capable of being transmitted to a patron include, but
are not limited to: (1) cold, influenza or other respiratory illness accompanied by a fever,
until 24 hours after resolution of the fever; (2) streptococcal pharyngitis ( "strep throat "),
until 24 hours after treatment has been initiated and 24 hours after resolution of fever;
(3) purulent conjunctivitis ( "pink eye "), until examined by a physician and approved for
return to work; (4) pertussis ( "whooping cough "), until five days of antibiotic therapy has
been completed; (5) varicella ( "chicken pox "), until the sixth day after onset of rash or
sooner if all lesions have dried and crusted; (6) mumps, until nine days after onset of
ORDINANCE NO. 617
PAGE 11
parotid gland swelling; (7) tuberculosis, until a physician or local health department
authority states that the person is noninfectious; (8) impetigo (bacterial skin infection),
until 24 hours after treatment has begun; (9) pediculosis (head lice), until the morning
after first treatment; and (10) scabies ( "crabs "), until after treatment has been
completed. Blood -borne diseases, such as HIV /AIDS and hepatitis B (HBV), shall not be
considered infectious or communicable diseases for the purpose of this subsection.
5.56.110 Inspection by government officials.
A. All nonexempt massage businesses or establishments, and all massage
businesses or establishments described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section
4612, shall permit representatives of the San Luis Obispo County Health Department,
the Arroyo Grande Police Department, the Arroyo Grande Fire Department, the Arroyo
Grande Community Development Department, and /or other City or County departments
or agencies, to conduct a reasonable inspection of the public areas of, and areas
otherwise open to plain view on or within the premises, to the extent allowed by law and
during the regular business hours of the business or establishment, for the purpose of
ensuring compliance with state and local law, including, but not limited to, Chapter 10.5
(commencing with Section 4600) of the California Business and Professions Code, the
requirements of this chapter, or other applicable fire and health and safety
requirements.
B. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prohibit the above - described
government officials from pursuing any and all available legal remedies to secure entry
into and inspection of the premises of the business or establishment if such entry is
refused, or for any other reason allowed by law.
C. It is a violation of this chapter for the business or establishment to prohibit or
interfere with such lawful inspection of the premises at any time it is open for business.
5.56.120 Owner and operator responsibility — Denial, revocation, restriction or
suspension of business license.
The following provisions shall apply to all nonexempt massage businesses or
establishments, and all massage businesses or establishments described in paragraph
(1) of subdivision (b) of Section 4612 of the California Business and Professions Code:
A. For the purpose of enforcement of the requirements of this chapter, all owners and
operators of the business or establishment shall be responsible for the conduct of all of
its employees, agents, independent contractors or other representatives, while on the -
premises of the business or establishment or providing massage therapy.
B. Notwithstanding Section 5.02.010, the City may:
1. Require the business or establishment in its application for a business license,
or for the renewal of a business license, to provide information relevant to the activities
of the business or establishment regulated by this chapter;
2. Make reasonable investigations into the information so provided;
3. Charge a business licensing fee sufficient to cover the costs of the business
licensing activities regulated by this chapter; and
4. Deny, revoke, restrict or suspend a business license for either of the following
causes: (a) an employee, agent, independent contractor or other representative of the
business or establishment has committed a violation of this chapter, or of Chapter 10.5
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PAGE 12
(commencing with Section 4600) of Division 2 of the California Business or Professions
Code; or (b) the business or establishment has provided materially false information in
its application for a business license.
5.56.130 Remedies cumulative — Each day a separate offense.
Any person subject to this chapter who personally, or through an agent, employee,
independent contractor or other representative, violates any provision of this chapter
shall be guilty of a separate offense for each and every day during any portion of which
any such violation is committed, continued or permitted by such person. All remedies
provided herein shall be cumulative and not exclusive.
5.56.140 Public nuisance.
Any use or condition caused or permitted to exist in violation of any of the provisions
of this chapter shall be and is hereby declared a public nuisance and, as such, may be
abated or enjoined from further operation.
5.56.150 Criminal penalties.
Any person subject to this chapter who personally, or through an agent, employee,
independent contractor or other representative, violates any provision of this chapter
commits a misdemeanor. Any person convicted of a misdemeanor shall be subject to
punishment by fine and /or imprisonment to the maximum extent permitted by state law.
5.56.160 Civil injunction.
The violation of any provision of this chapter shall be and is hereby declared to be
contrary to the public interest and shall, at the discretion of the City, create a cause for
injunctive relief.
OFFICIAL CERTIFICATION
I, KELLY WETMORE, City Clerk of the City of Arroyo Grande, County of San
Luis Obispo, State of California, do hereby certify under penalty of perjury, that
the attached is a true, full, and correct copy of Ordinance No. 617 which was
introduced at a regular meeting of the City CouncillRedevelopment Agency on
November 24, 2009; was passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City
Council of the City of Arroyo Grande on the 8 day of December 2009; and was
- duly published in accordance with State law (G.C. 40806).
WITNESS my hand and the Seal of the City of Arroyo Grande affixed this 11
day of December 2009.
KELLY WET a RE, CITY CLERK