PROPOSED REVISIONS TO MASSAGE ORDINANCE IN PLEASANTON

The State of California has enacted statewide regulations concerning massage practitioners and establishments, including creating the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) and authorizing the CAMTC to certify individuals to practice massage throughout California. The State has also enacted regulations that provide for local registration and regulation of massage businesses and practitioners for health and safety purposes.

The City of Pleasanton adopted an ordinance regulating massage, codified in Chapter 6.24 of the Pleasanton Municipal Code. In light of recent changes in State law, as well as general concerns about the regulation of massage establishments and practitioners, the Police Department, in conjunction with the City Attorney’s Office, has drafted a revised Massage Ordinance.  It would replace the existing Ordinance in its entirety.

For the most part, the revised Ordinance does not change significantly the regulations currently in place. It does, however, redefine certain terms, such as who is an “owner”, and imposes certain additional operating requirements on massage businesses.  To mention just a few:  businesses would be required to provide in their reception areas a list of the services available and the cost of such services, a practice which most of you probably observe currently; businesses would be required to keep a record of the name of the client receiving massage services, the name of the practitioner who provided such services and the amount paid for such services; and businesses would also be required to designate a business administrator to be in charge of the business when the owner is not on site.

Perhaps the most significant change would be for those who hold a massage technician permit from the City. Under the proposed Ordinance, when those current permits expire, the City will not renew them.  Accordingly, if those individuals still want to practice massage in Pleasanton, they would need to obtain a certificate from the CAMTC. 

A stakeholders’ meeting will be coming soon to the City of Pleasanton Council Chambers, 200 Old Bernal Avenue. We encourage you to check back here for updates or for additional follow-up or questions, please contact Assistant City Attorney Renee Perko at (925) 931-5015 or rperko@cityofpleasantonca.gov.

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