HomeMy WebLinkAbout71.173 ORDINANCE NO. 71-
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA
REPEALING ARTICLE 4-55 OF CHAPTER 4 AND ADDING
ARTICLE 4-55 TO CHAPTER 4 OF THE
CODE OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA RELATING TO
MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS AND MASSAGE PRACTITIONERS
The City Council of the City of Saratoga hereby Ordains as follows:
Section 1. Article 4-55 of Chapter 4 of the Code of the City of Saratoga is
hereby repealed in its entirety.
Section 2. Article 4-55 of Chapter 4 of the Code of the City of Saratoga is
hereby added to read as follows:
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Article 4-55
MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS AND MASSAGE PRACTITIONERS
4-55.010 Purpose.
4-55.020 Definitions.
4-55.030 Exemptions.
4-55.040 Permit Required For Massage Establishment, Managing
Employee, Massage Practitioner And Temporary Massage
Practitioner
4-55-050 Educational and practical examination requirements for
applicants for massage practitioner, massage establishment
and managing employee permits
4-55.060 Applications for massage establishment permit, managing
employee permit, massage practitioner permit, and
temporary massage, practitioner permit
4-55.070 Processing of Application, Investigation
4-55.080 Action by City Manager on permit application; grounds for
denial
4-55.090 Permits non-transferable
4-55. 100 Inspection by officials
4-55.110 Operating requirements for massage establishments
4-55. 120 Massage establishment sanitary conditions
4-55.130 Hot tub/sauna, tanning establishment and operation
requirements
4-55.140 Notice of employees' status
4-55. 150 Suspension and revocation of permits
4-55.160 Prohibited acts
4-55.170 Application of this Article to preexisting massage
establishments and persons engaged in the practice of
massage
4-5 5.18 0 Violations of Article; penalties
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Article 4-55
MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS AND MASSAGE PRACTITIONERS
4-55.010 Purpose.
In enacting these regulations the City Council recognizes that massage is
a viable professional field offering the public valuable health and therapeutic services.
It is the purpose and intent of the City Council that the operation of
massage establishments, massage practitioners, managing employee and persons
offering massage be regulated in the interest of public health, safety, and welfare by
providing minimum building sanitation and health standards and to insure that
persons offering massage shall possess the minimum qualifications necessary to
operate such businesses and to perform such services offered.
It is the intent of this Article to enact regulations to insure that those
offering massage services are qualified and trained and can be expected to conduct
their Work in a lawful and professional manner. The City Council finds that existing
controls have not satisfactorily addressed or regulated serious police problems and
regulated the profession so as to discourage the use of the profession for objectionable
and illegal purposes.
4-55.020 Definitions.
For the purpose of this Article, unless othen~ise apparent from the context,
certain words and phrases used in this Article are defined as follows:
(a) "Business massage" means any massage of the neck, arms,
shoulders, and back area, above the waist where the client is fully clothed and done
without the use of supplementary aids, such as rubbing alcohol, liniments,
antiseptics, oils, powders, creams, lotions, ointments, or other similar preparations
commonly used in this practice.
(b) "City Manager" means the City Manager of Saratoga or his/her
designee .....
(c) "Managing employee" means any employee of a massage
establishment who has been designate by the holder of the massage establishment
permit to manage the business in his/her absence. The managing employee may
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perform massages at the business only if he/she obtains and maintains in effect a
massage practitioner permit.
(d) "Massage" means any method of pressure on, or friction against,
or stroking, kneading, rubbing, tapping, vibrating, or stimulating the external parts of
the human body with the hands, or any part of the body, or with the aid of any
mechanical or electrical apparatus, or other appliances or devices, with or without
such supplementary aids as rubbing alcohol, antiseptic, oil, powders, lotion,
ointment, or other similar devices commonly used in this practice; or by baths, not
limited to Turkish, Russian, Swedish, Japanese, vapor, shower, electric tub, mineral,
fomentation, or any other type of bath.
(e) "Massage establishment" means any establishment having a fnced
place of business in the City in which massages are given in return for compensation
of any type, including but not limited to any hot tub/sauna, or tanning establishment
in which massage services are made available to clients, or any premises offering
relaxation services.
(f) "Massage practitioner" means any person who performs massage
in return for compensation of any type.
(g) "Outcall massage service" means the engaging in or carrying on of
massage for consideration at a location other than a licensed massage establishment.
(h) "Permit" means a written document authorizing the holder to
engage in the business written on said document.
(i) "Person" means any individual, partnership, finn, association,
corporation, joint venture or any other combination of one or more indMduals for
the purpose of doing business.
(j) "Recognized school" means any school or institution of learning
which has been approved pursuant to California Education Code Section 94300 et
seq. or other applicable state law or regulations, or any public school which requires a
resident course of study of not less than I00 hours within at least three (3) months
on the theory, ethics, history, practice, methods, profession or.work of massage, -
including the study of anatomy and physiology and hygiene, and at least seventy-five
(75) hours of demonstration and practice of massage techniques, and which provides
a diploma or certificate of graduation upon successful completion of such course of
study or course work recognized by national professional massage or body therapy
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organizations.
(k) "Temporary massage practitioner permit" means a permit to
engage in the practice of massage for a limited period. Every temporary massage
practitioner permit shall be subject to the provisions of Section 4-55.040(d) of this
Article.
(1) "Working under the supervision" means the person is an
employee of a licensed medical professional, is working at the same location as the
licensed medical professional, and has his/her work directed by the licensed medical
professional.
4-55.030 Exemptions.
The provisions of this Article shall not apply to persons licensed to
practice any healing art or profession under the provisions of Division 2 of the
California Business and Professions Code, or to persons working under the direction
of any such licensed person in any hospital, nursing home, or sanitarium; nor shall
this Article apply to persons licensed as barbers or cosmetologists under the
provisions of Division 3 of the California Business and Professions Code who
administer such treatment in good faith in the course of licensed practice; nor shall
this Article apply to accredited high schools, junior colleges, colleges and universities
whose coaches and trainers are acting within the scope of employment.
4-55.040 Permit Required For Massage Establishment,
Managing Employee, Massage Practitioner
And Temporary Massage Practitioner
(a) Massage establishment permit. No person shall establish,
operate, or maintain a massage establishment within the City without first obtaining
from the City Manager, and maintaining, a massage establishment permit. It is
unlawful to operate, establish, or maintain a massage establishment while the permit
issued for such business has been suspended, revoked, or has expired. Only one
permit (including a permit which has been suspended or revoked or is in the appeals
process) shall be issued to a business location. No additional applications for pennits
will be accepted for locations which are in the appeals .process, until-the-existing
permit has expired, been revoked, or been surrendered by the applicant.
(b) Managing employee permit. No person shall act as the
managing employee for any massage establishment within the City unless he/she has
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obtained a managing employee permit from the City Manager. It shall be unlawful
for any person to act as the managing employee of any massage establishment while
his/her managing employee permit has been suspended, or revoked, or has expired.
(c) Massage practitioner permit. No person shall engage in the
practice of massage, including outcall massage, in return for compensation of any
type within the City without obtaining from the City Manager and maintaining in
effect a massage practitioner permit. It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in
the practice of massage in return for compensation while his/her massage practitioner
permit has been suspended, revoked, or has expired.
A person who obtains a massage establishment permit or a managing
employee permit and plans to personally give massages at the business, shall also
apply for and obtain a massage practitioner permit, and shall pay fees for
administration of the written and practical examination pursuant to Section 4-
55.060.
(d) Temporary massage practitioner permit. A temporaW massage
practitioner permit may be issued by the City Manager only upon the following
express conditions:
( 1 ) The application is made to work in a massage
establishment in continuous operation, not less than eight (8) hours a
day, five (5) days a week for twenty-four (24) consecutive months
preceding the date of the application;
(2) The holder of the massage establishment permit furnishes
a written statement to the City Manager acknowledging that he/she
intends to employ the applicant for a temporaW massage practitioner
permit and then in the event that permit expires or a permanent
massage practitioner permit is denied by the City Manager, employment
of such applicant will be immediately and permanently discontinued;
(3) The application is filed for a massage practitioner permit
and all required fees are paid for the permit; the application is entirely
complete at the time of filing and the applicant meets. allcriteria for a
massage practitioner permit;
(4) If required, the practical massage examination must be
successfully completed by the applicant;
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(5) Upon any violation of this Article occurring in the massage
establishment, the temporary massage practitioner permit shall be
forthwith rendered null and void and shall be surrendered to any
employee or agent of the City upon request;
(6) A temporary massage practitioner permit shall expire upon
issuance of a massage practitioner permit, or the expiration of ninety
(90) days from the date of application, whichever comes first;
(7) There shall be no appeal from denial of a temporaW
massage practitioner permit.
(e) Business License Required. Any person desiring to operate a
massage establishment for which a permit is required under the provisions of this
Article shall also apply for and obtain a business license pursuant to Article 4-05 of
this Chapter and pay the license free specified in Section 4-05.100. No such business
license shall be issued unless and until the applicant has first obtained a valid permit
under this Article.
(f) Current Permit Required. No person shall accept or continue
employment as a massage practitioner at any massage establishment in the City
unless the owner or operator of such establishment holds a current unrevoked permit
isiued pursuant to this Article.
4-55-050 Educational ~nd practical examination requirements for
applicants for massage practitioner, massage establishment
and managing employee permits.
(a) Educational requirements. All applicants for a massage
establishment permit, managing employee permit and/or massage practitioner permit,
must meet either of the following educational standards in order to qualify for such
permit:
( 1 ) Possession of a diploma or certificate of graduation from a
recognized school of massage, college, junior college, or university which
shows satisfactory completion of. at least 300 hours of.a nonrepetitive
curriculum in anatomy, physiology, hygiene, sanitation, and massage
theory, history, ethics and practice; or
(2) Possession of diploma or certificate of graduation from a
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recognized school of massage, college, junior college, or university which
shows satisfactory completion of at least 200 hours of a nonrepetitive
curriculum in anatomy, physiology, hygiene, sanitation, and massage
theory, history, ethics and practice and at least 100 hours of
documented experience under the direct supervision of a licensed
massage practitioner, physical therapist, or other health professional
who is duly licensed to practice his/her respective profession under the
laws of the State.
(b ) Practical Examination Requirements. All applicants for a
massage establishment permit, managing employee permit and/or massage
practitioner permit shall take and pass a practical exam. ination to demonstrate a basic
knowledge of anatomy, physiology, hygiene, and the theory, practice, history, ethics,
and methods of massage. The examination shall be administered on behalf of the
City, by a doctor or other licensed health professional selected by the City Manager.
The City Manager shall establish procedures for the examinations in accordance with
this Article. If the applicant fails the practical exam, he/she shall be permitted to
retake the examination once, after at least thirty (30) but no more than sixty (60)
days have elapsed from the date of the first examination, so long as the applicant
pays the applicable examination fees for a second time and complies with City
Manager procedures. If the applicant fails the examination a second time, the
application shall be denied, and the applicant shall not be permitted to apply again
for a massage establishment permit, managing employee permit of massage
practitioner permit for a period of one year;
(c) Exemption from educational and practical examination
requirements and medical certificate:
(1) Applicants for a massage establishment permit or managing
employee permit who sign a declaration under penalty of perjury that
they will not personally engage in the practice of massage at the
business are exempt from the educational and practical examination
requirements set forth above and are exempt from obtaining a medical
certificate.
(2) Applicants for a massage practitioner permit ,who have
completed at least 300 hours of education and training at a recognized
school and have passed the National Certification Examination for
Therapeutic Massage and Body Work are exempt from the practical
examination requirements set forth above.
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(d) Extension of time to complete educational requirements.
Holders of business licenses issued by the City for at least one year before the
effective date of this Article, engaged in the practice of massage within the City, and
their employees who have been employed in the practice of massage by the business
for at least one year before the effective date of this Article, shall be exempt from the
educational requirements of paragraph (a) of this Section if they have passed the
practical examination set forth above or hold a current valid certificate evidencing
passage of the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Body
Work. Holders of a business license or massage practitioner permit issued by the
City, before, but less than one year before, the effective date of this Article shall have
a period of one year from the effective date of this Article to satisfy the educational
requirements set forth above. A one year extension may be granted provided that the
applicant can document that he or she has completed at least one-half of the
necessary hours required to comply with the additional requirements of this Article.
4-55.060 Applications for massage establishment permit, managing
employee permit, massage practitioner permit, and temporary massage
practitioner permit.
(a) Submittal of application. Every person, firm, corporation, or
partnership desiring to obtain a permit shall file a written application to the City
Manager on a form provided by the City. (The applicant, firm, corporation, or
partnership shall designate one of its officers or partners to act as the responsible
person for the business and will complete and sign all forms/applications required.)
The application form must contain the following information:
( 1 ) The full name, including any nicknames or other names
used presently or in the past, and the present street address and phone
number of the applicant;
(2) The applicant's two (2) most recent street addresses, and
the dates of residence at each address;
(3) The date of birth of the applicant;
(4) The applicant's height, weight, and color of eyes and hair;
(5) The applicant's driver license number (if any) and social
security number;
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(6) The applicant's two (2) most recent employers, including
their names, street addresses, cities, and phone numbers, and the
position held by the applicant;
(7) The names, street addresses, and phone numbers of any
massage establishment or any other business involving massage by
which the applicant has been employed within the past ten (10) years;
and the dates of emplo)qnent;
(8) Any criminal conviction on the part of the applicant for
offenses other than traffic violations within the ten (10) years preceding
the date of the application;
(9) Whether the applicant has ever had a license, certificate,
permit, or other authorization to engage in the practice of massage, or
the operation of a massage establishment, or other business engaged in
the practice of massage, suspended or revoked within the ten (10) years
preceding the date of the application, the dates and reasons for any such
suspensions or revocations, and the name and location of the
jurisdiction or agency which suspended or revoked such license,
certificate, permit, or other authorization;
(10) Whether the applicant, including applicant as a member of
a corporation, business, or partnership, has ever operated or been
employed at any business which has been the subject of an abatement
proceeding under the California Red Light Abatement Act (California
Penal Code Sections 11225-11325) or any similar laws in other
jurisdictions. If the applicant has previously worked at such a business,
he/she should state on the application the name and address of the
business, the dates on which the applicant was employed at such
business, the name and location of the court in which the abatement
action occurred, the applicable case number, and the outcome of the
abatement action;
( 11 ) If the applicant is a partnership, the application shall set
forth the names and street addresses of.each general and_limited partner.
If the applicant is a limited partnership, it shall furnish a copy of its
certificate of limited partnership as filed with the County Clerk. If one
or more of the partners is a corporation, the provisions of this
subsection pertaining to corporate applicants shall apply to the
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corporate partner.
( 12 ) If the applicant is a corporation, the name of the
corporation shall be set forth exactly as shown in its article of
incorporation or charter together with the state and date of
incorporation and the full legal names and street addresses of each of its
current officers and directors and each stockholder holding more than 5
percent of the stock of that corporation;
(13 ) Whether the applicant has met the educational
requirements set forth in this Article (except for cases involving
applications for massage establishments or managing employee permits,
when the applicant has filed a statement under penalty of periury that
he/she will not personally give massages at the massage establishment);
(14) Whether the applicant has previously applied to the city
for a massage establishment permit, managing employee permit,
massage practitioner permit, or temporary massage practitioner permit,
the date of the application and every name(s) under which the
application was made;
(15) In the case of an application for a massage establishment
permit or managing employee permit, the proposed name and street
address of the massage establishment, together with the name and street
address of any other massage business operated or managed by the
applicant, within the ten (10) years preceding the date of the
application;
(16) In the case of an application for a massage establishment
permit or managing employee permit, whether the applicant intends to
personally provide massage services at the business;
(17) A statement under penalty of perjury that the applicant
has not made any false, misleading, or fraudulent statements or
omissions of fact in his/her application or any other documents required
by the City to be submitted with the application; ._
(18 ) The name and street address of the owner or renter and
the lease holder of proposed premises of which application is made. In
the event the applicant is not the legal owner of the property, the
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application must be accompanied by a copy of the lease and a notarized
acknowledgment from the owner of the property that a massage
establishment will be located on the property;
(19) In the case of a massage establishment application, proof of
massage realpractice insurance in the sum of no less than $ i ,000,000;
(20) A description of any other business to be operated on the
same premises, or on adjoining premises, owned or controlled by
applicant;
(21 ) Authorization for the City of Saratoga, its agents and
employees, to seek information and conduct an investigation into the
truth of the statements set forth in the application and into the
background of the applicant and responsible managing officer.
(b) Submittal of documentation. Applicants shall also submit the
following information at the time of their application:
( i ) A birth certificate or other proof that the applicant is at
least eighteen (18) years of age;
(2) A certificate from a physician, which includes the
physician's street address and phone number, and states that the
applicant is free from communicable diseases or other conditions which
could interfere with his/her ability to engage in the practice of massage,
to the public, in a safe and healthful manner. Communicable disease
testing is required for Hepatitis B and tuberculosis. The medical exam
must have been completed within sixty days of the permit application;
(3) A diploma, certificate of graduation, transcript, or other
written proof acceptable to the City Manager that the applicant has met
the educational requirements set forth in this Article, unless in the case
of applications for a massage establishment permit or managing
employee's permit the applicant has submitted with the application a
written statement under penalty of. perjury that he/she will not
personally give massages at the establishment;
(4) Other related information requested by the City Manager
in order to confirm the identity of the applicant and evaluate the
F:\WPDXIVlNRSWX273\ORD.98XMASSAGE.ApL ] 2
background and qualifications of the applicant for the permit sought;
(5) Documentation to prove that the applicant has a lawful
fight to work in the United States.
(c) Payment of massage establishment permit, managing
employee permit or massage practitioner permit fees. At the time of submitting
an application for a permit(s) the applicant shall pay all permit fees, examination
fees, and investigation fees (to defray the cost of the investigation required by this
Article. Applicants who will need the services of an interpreter for their written
and/or practical examination shall also pay a fee to cover the cost of these services.
All fees shall be nonrefundable, except that the City shall refund examination fees if
the application is denied before the applicant takes the written and/or practical
examination. All fees will be set forth in the City fee schedule. A copy of the
receipt(s) shall accompany the application.
4-55.070 Processing of Application, Investigation
(a) Processing of application, investigation. Upon receipt of an
application for a permit(s) the City Manager shall review the application and
supplementary material. If it is clear from the face of the application and
supplementary materials that the applicant is not qualified for the permit(s) sought,
the application may be denied without further investigation or testing. If it appears
from the face of the application and supplementary material that the applicant may
be eligible for the permit(s) sought, the City Manager may issue a temporary massage
practitioner permit pursuant to Section 4-55.040(d), and shall verify the information
submitted by the applicant and shall further investigate the qualifications of the
applicant as follows:
( 1 ) Photographs/fingerprints/review of criminal history.
The City Manager shall photograph the applicant and take a full set of
the applicant's fingerprints and shall submit the fingerprints to the
Department of Justice (DOJ) and to the Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI) for evaluation. Upon receipt of the report from the DOJ and FBI,
the City Manager shall review the criminal history (if any) of the
applicant;
(2) Investigation of location and premises of massage
establishment. Upon receipt of an application for a massage
establishment permit, the City Manager shall refer the application to
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the City's fire, building, planning, health and code exfforcexnent
departments, who shall review the application and inspect the premises
to ensure that the designated site will comply with applicable City
zoning, building, fire safety ordinances, and any other applicable City
ordinances;
(3) Additional investigation. The City Manager may
conduct additional investigations in a manner authorized by law when
necessary to determine if the applicant meets the qualifications for a
permit pursuant to this Article.
4-55.080 Action by City Manager on permit application; grounds for
denial.
(a) Grant or denial of application for massage establishment
permit, managing employee permit or massage practitioner permit. The City
Manager shall grant or deny the application for a permit(s) within ninety (90) days
of the applicant's submission of a completed application and all required
supplementary material. When necessary, the City Manager may extend the time in
order to conduct a complete investigation and hearing.
(b ) Granting of Application. In considering a massage
establishment permit, the City Manager ~nay grant the application for a permit as
applied for or in modified or conditional form if, on the basis of the application and
the evidence submitted, the City Manager makes all of the following findings:
( 1 ) The property on which the massage establishment will be
conducted and the operation thereof complies with all building, zoning,
fire, health and safety codes and with the requirements of this Article.
(2) The proposed location of the massage establishment is in
accord with the objectives of the zoning ordinance and the purposes of
the district in which the site is located.
(3) , None of the grounds for denial of the permit, as listed in
Paragraph (J~of this Section, exist
(4) The massage establishment and the conditions under
which it will be operated will not be detrimental to the public health,
safety or welfare, or injurious to properties in the vicinity or disturbing
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to the occupants thereof.
(c) Conditional Granting of Application. In considering a
massage establishment permit the City Manager may grant the application subject to
such conditions and restrictions as he/she deems reasonable and necessary under the
circumstances, including without limitation, any or all of the following:
( i ) Restriction on hours of operation.
(2) Parking requirements.
(3) Prohibition against the sale or serving of food or beverages
or the conducting of nonmassage business on the premises.
(d) Notice. If the application for a permit is granted pursuant to
this Section, the City Manager shall send a notice of the approval, and a statement of
all conditions thereof, to the applicant and to the Sheriff and all appropriate staff.
After full compliance by the applicant with all conditions imposed by the City
Manager for issuance of the permit and provided no appeal has been filed from the
decision of the City Manager and the period for such appeal has expired, the City
Manager shall issue the permit.
(e) Expiration and renewal of massage establishment permit,
managing employee permit, and massage practitioner permit. All permits shall
expire one year after the date of their issuance, unless revoked sooner by the City
Manager. Applications for renewal of permits must be submitted to the City
Manager no later than sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of such permit on a
form provided by the City, which shall require the applicant for renewal to update
the information contained in the original application.
(f) Medical Certificate - Renewal. Any applicant requesting the
renewal of a massage practitioner permit must also submit, with the renewal
application, a certificate from a medical doctor stating that the applicant has, within
the past thirty (30) days immediately prior to the filing of the application, been
examined and found to be free from any communicable disease capable of being
transmitted to the public or to fellow.employees by. the type. of. conduct and
interaction involved in the performance of massage.
(g) Fee - Renewal. The applicant must pay the City a
nonrefundable fee set forth in the City Fee Schedule, at the time of filing the
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application for renewal. After investigating the application for renewal, the City
Manager may renew the permit(s) if the applicant continues to meet the standards
for the issuance of a permit and none of the grounds for denial of a permit set forth
in this AKicle exist.
(h) Notice. The City Manager shall give the applicant for renewal
written notice of his/her decision within sixty (60) days of the submittal of the
completed application for renewal. If the application is denied, the notice shall be
sent via certified mail and shall state the specific grounds for the denial and notify
the applicant that he/she may appeal through the procedures set forth in this Article.
(i) Failure To File Timely Notice. If the holder of the permit does
not file a completed renewal application at least sixty (60) days prior to the
expiration of the permit or certificate, the applicant shall be required to file an
application for a new permit and will be required to pay the applicable fees for a new
permit.
(j) Grounds for denial of application. The City Manager shall
deny an application if any of the following circumstances exist:
( 1 ) The application is incomplete and/or required
supplementary materials are not submitted within thirty (30) days of
the date of application;
(2) The applicant does not have proof of the required
educational requirements, unless the applicant is exempt from these
requirements as established in this Article, and can show proof of
qualifications for exemption;
(3) The applicant has previously had a massage establishment
permit, managing employee permit, massage practitioner permit, or any
similar license, certificate, or permit revoked by the City or any other
public agency;
- (4) The applicant has made a false, misleading, or fraudulent
statement or omission of. fact in his/her application or.other materials
submitted with the application;
(5) The applicant, including applicant as a corporation or
partnership, or former employer of the applicant while the applicant was
F:XWPD~VlNRSWX273\ORD.98XMASSAGE.APL 16
so employed, has been successfully prosecuted under the Red Light
Abatement Act (California Penal Code Sections 11225 through 11325)
or any similar laws in another jurisdiction;
(6) The applicant has been convicted of:
(i) An offense which requires registration pursuant to
California Penal Code Section 290, or a violation of Penal Code
Sections 266 (i), 311 through 311.7,314, 315,318,647(b) or
(d), or equivalent offenses under the laws of another jurisdiction,
even if expunged pursuant to Penal Code Section 1203.4;
(ii) A prior offense which involves violation of California
Health and Safety Sections 11351, 11352, 11358 through
11363, 11378 through 11380, 11054, 11056, 11057, 11058, any
other violation(s) involving illegal possession for sale, or sales of a
controlled substance, or equivalent offenses under the laws of
another jurisdiction, even if expunged pursuant to Penal Code
Section 1203.4;
(iii) Any offense involving the use of force or violence upon
another person;
(iv) Any offense involving sexual misconduct with children;
(v) Any offense involving theft;
(7) The operation of the massage establishment at the
proposed site would violate the City's Zoning, Building, Fire
Regulations, or other provisions of the City ordinances;
(8) Any violation of this Article if previously licensed at any
other location during the pendency of the application.
(k) Notice to applicant of grounds for denial of application. The
City Manager shall give written notice of the grounds .for denial to.the-applicant for a
permit. If the application is denied, the notice shall be by certified mail, return
receipt requested, and/or hand delivered to the managing employee on the business
premises; and shall advise the applicant of his/her right to appeal the decision.
F:\WPDWINRSW'x273\ORD.98MMASSAGE.APL 17
(1) Appeal of denial of application for a permit. Upon the denial
of an application for a permit, the applicant may appeal through the following
procedures:
( 1 ) The applicant shall file a written request for an appeal
hearing, which states the specific grounds on which the decision of the
City Manager to deny the permit is contested, within ten (10) days after
senrice of the notice of the written decision, by deposit of the notice,
addressed to the holder of the permit, by certified mail and/or by hand
delivery. At the time of submitting the written request for an appeal
hearing, the applicant shall pay an appeal hearing fee, set forth in the
City fee schedule, to help defray in part the additional cost to the City.
If the applicant does not request an appeal hearing within the ten (10)
day period, no further notice is required and the application will remain
denied.
(2) In order to hear and decide appeals of denims of
applications for permits made by the City Manager, there shall be and is
created a Board of Appeals consisting of members appointed by the City
Council. The City Manager shall be an ex officio member and shall act
as Secretary to said Board but shall have no vote upon any matter
before the Board. Copies of any rules or regulations adopted by the
Board shall be delivered to the City Manager, who shall make them
freely accessible to the public. The Board shall have no authority to
waive requirements of this Article.
(3) As soon as practicable after receiving the written appeal,
the Secretary of the Board of Appeals shall f~x a date, time and place for
the hearing of the appeal by the Board. Such date shall not be less than
five working days nor more than 30 working days from the date the
appeal was filed with the City Manager. Written notice of the time and
place of the hearing shall be given by certified mail at least five working
days prior to the date of the hearing to the appellant by the Secretary of
the Board either by causing a copy of such notice to be delivered to the
appellant personally or by mailing a copy thereof, postage prepaid,
addressed.to the appellant at the address shown on the. appeal.
(4) Failure of an applicant to file an appeal in accordance with
the provisions set forth herein shall constitute a waiver of the right to an
administrative hearing and adjudication of the notice and order or any
F:\WPDXMI'CP, SWX273\ORD.98MMASSAGE.APL 18
portion thereof.
(5) At the heating both the appellant and the City shall have
the fight to appear and be represented by counsel and to present
evidence and arguments which are relevant to the grounds for the
appeal.
(6) Within ten (10) working days of the hearing, the Board
shall issue a written decision which states whether the decision of the
City Manager is upheld, modified or reversed. The decision of the
Board shall be served on the appellant by certified marl, return receipt
requested. The decision of the Board shall be final.
4-55.090 Permits non-transferable. A massage establishment permit
issued pursuant to this Article shall not be assignable or transferable, either as to the
named permittee or the location specified therein. The permit shall automatically
terminate upon any attempted transfer thereof, or upon any sale or transfer of the
property, if the permit was issued to the owner thereof, or upon any termination or
assignment of the lease or other right of possession, if the permit was issued to the
occupant of the property, or if, by reason of any other circumstances, the massage
establishment is not being operated or managed by the person to whom the permit
was issued.
4-55. 100 Inspection by officials.
Any and all investigating officials of the City shall have the tight to
enter massage establishments from time to time during regular business hours to
make reasonable inspections to observe and enforce compliance with building, fire,
electrical, plumbing, or health regulations, and to ascertain whether the provisions of
this Article are being complied with.
4-55.110. Operating requirements for massage establishments.
Unless otherwise specified herein, all establishments shall comply with
the following operating requirements:
(a) Exterior signs. A recognizable and legible sign shall be posted at
the main entrance identifying the business as a massage establishment. In addition,
the sign shall comply with the City sign ordinance.
F:\WPDMMNRSWX273\ORD.98MMASSAGE.APL 19
(b) Posting of massage establishment permit, managing
employee permit, and massage practitioner permit. A copy of the massage
establishment pern~it, managing employee permit(s), and massage practitioner
permit(s), shall be posted in a conspicuous place in such a manner that it can easily
be seen by persons entering the establishment. Passport-size photographs shall be
affixed to the respective managing employee permit(s) and massage practitioner
permit(s) on display;
(c) Designation of managing employee. If the holder of the
massage establishment permit does not personally manage the business during all
hours of operation, he/she shall designate one or more managing employee(s) who
shall be in charge of the operation of the business during his/her absence. If the
managing employee(s) will personally give massages at the business, he/she must
obtain a massage practitioner permit;
(d) Doors to be unlocked. All doors, except rest room doors, will be '
kept unlocked at all times during business hours. Doors to all dressing and massage
rooms shall be kept unlocked at all times. There shall be no locking devices on the
doors to rooms in which massages are performed;
(e) Posting of services available and fees. A list of all services
available, the price thereof and the length of time each segdce shall be performed,
shall be posted or available in a conspicuous place in such a manner that it can easily
be seen by persons entering the establishment. No other services, other than those
posted, will be provided;
(f) Payment/tips. Payment for massage services, and any tips, shall
be paid for, at the designated reception area, of the business establishment;
(g) Alcohol prohibited. No alcoholic beverages may be located on
the premises of the massage establishment while the business is open for the practice
of massage;
(h) Maintain written records. Every massage establishment shall
maintain written records which include the date and hour of each service provided,
the full legal name and.street address of each client and type of. services received, and
the name of the massage practitioner administering the service. These records shall
be kept on the business premises and shall be open to inspection by officials upon
request, including the Sheriff, City Manager and City Attorney, charged with the
enforcement of this Article. These records will be kept for a period of at least six (6)
F:\WPDWINRSW~273\ORD.98MMASSAGE.APL 2 0
months;
(i) Standard of dress for massage establishment employees. The
holder of the massage establishment permit, managing employees, massage
practitioners, and all other employees of the massage establishment shall remain fully
clothed in dean outer garments while on the premises on the massage establishment.
At a minimum such clothing shall be made of nontransparent material and shall not
expose the buttocks, genital area, or breasts of any employee or permit holder at any
time. Bikini swimsuits and halter tops shall not be accepted;
(j) Operating hours. No massage establishment shall be kept open
for business and no massage practitioner shall administer massages after the hour of
I0:00 p.m. or before the hour of 7:00 a.m. Operating hours may be further restricted
by the City Manager pursuant to Section 4-S5.080(c);
(k) Mirrors prohibited. In general, mirrors are prohibited in rooms
where massages are performed; however, one full length or small mirror may be
mounted vertically to the wall, not less than twenty (20") inches from the floor;
(1) Lighting required. Massage establishments will be well lighted
at all times during business hours. Rooms where massage services are provided will
be adequately lighted when occupied.
4-55.120 Massage establishment sanitary conditions.
All premises and facilities of the massage establishment shall be
maintained in a clean and sanitary condition and shall be thoroughly cleaned after
each day of operation. The premises and facilities shall meet applicable code
requirements of the City, including but not limited to those related to the safety of
structures, adequacy of the plumbing, heating, ventilation, and waterproofing of
rooms in which showers, water, or steam baths are used.
All massage establishments shall comply with the following
requirements:
(a). _. Tub, .Shower, Toilet, Wash Basin.. A minimum-of one tub or
shower, and one toilet and wash basin shall be provided.
(b ) Cabinets. Cabinets or other covered space shall be provided for
the storage of dean linen. Approved receptacles shall be provided for the storage of
F:\WPDMMNRSW~273\ORD.98WIASSAGE.APL ~2 1
all soiled linen and paper towels.
(c) Lavatories, Wash Basins. All lavatories or wash basins shall be
provided with hot and cold running water, soap and single senrice towels in wall-
mounted dispensers.
(d) Security Deposit Facilities. Security deposit facilities capable
of being locked by the patron or a security bag that may be carried by the patrol shall
be available for the protection of the valuables of patrons.
(e) Sanitary Condition. Every portion of a massage establishment,
including appliances and apparatus, shall be kept clean and operative in a sanitary
condition.
(f) Clean Towels, Sheets and Linens. All massage establishments
shall be equipped with clean and sanitary towels, sheets and linens in sufficient
quantity. Towels, sheets and linens shall not be used by more than one person.
Reuse of such linen is prohibited unless the same has first been laundered. Heavy
white paper may be substituted for sheets; provided that such paper is used once for
each person and then discarded into a sanitary receptacle.
(g) Physical Facilities In Good Repair. All wails, ceilings, floors,
pools, showers, bathtubs, and all physical facilities must be in good repair and
maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. Wet and dry heat rooms, steam or
vapor rooms or steam or vapor cabinets, shower compartments and toilet rooms shall
be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected each day the business is in operation.
(h) Disinfecting Agents. Disinfecting agents and sterilizing
equipment shall be provided for any instruments used in performing acts of massage
and said instruments shall be disinfected and sterilized after each use.
(i) Pads, Washable. Pads used on massage tables shall be covered
with durable, washable plastics or other acceptable waterproof material.
(j) Privacy Standards for Massage Rooms, Dressing Rooms and
Rest Rooms. Dressing rooms and rests rooms may only.be-used by. clients of the
same sex at the same time. The massage establishment shall provide doors for all
dressing rooms, rest rooms, and massage rooms. Draw drapes, Curtain enclosures, or
accordion-pleated enclosures are acceptable in lieu of doors for dressing rooms and
massage rooms.
F:\WPDMMNRSW~.73\ORD.98MVIASSAGE.APL 22
Massage services shall not be given or made available to patrons at hot
tub/sauna or tanning establishments, unless the establishment has obtained and
maintained in effect a massage establishment permit for the hot tub/sauna, or tanning
establishment. Hot tub/sauna or tanning establishments which offer massage services
must comply with all provisions of this Article. Massages shall not be given in any
rooms or areas in which 'a hot tub, sauna, shower, or ]acuzzi is located, or in wet and
dry heating rooms, tanning rooms, steam or vapor rooms, or cabinets, or bathrooms.
All employees of the hot tub/sauna or tanning establishment who engage in the
practice of massage must first obtain and maintain in effect a massage practitioner
permit pursuant to this Article.
4-55.140 Notice of employees' status.
Every person holding a massage establishment permit issued pursuant to
this Article shall report immediately in writing to the City Manager the employment
or termination of massage practitioners and/or managing employees practicing in such
establishment.
4-55. 150 Suspension and revocation of permits.
(a) Suspension and revocation of massage establishment permit,
managing employee permit or massage practitioner permit. The City Manager
may suspend for a period of up to one year, modify or revoke a permit(s) if there is
reasonable cause to believe that:
( 1 ) The permit holder has operated or managed the massage
establishment or provided services in a manner which violates any
provision of this Article, state law, federal law, or other applicable City
Code provisions;
(2) The permit holder has committed any offense involving
lewdness, indecent exposure, prostitution, or any other offense which
would be grounds for denial of. an. application,. or employees of the
establishment have committed such offenses in the course of their
employment and the permit holder has permitted them to do so, or
failed to prevent them from doing so. The employer shall be responsible
for those acts of its employees and massage practitioner which are done
F:\WPDMVFNRSWX273\ORD.98~vlASSAGE.APL 23
in the course and scope of their employment;
(3) The permit holder made a materially false or misleading
statement, or omission of fact on any application, or in any
supplementary materials submitted;
(4) The permit holder is operating or managing the
establishment, or providing services in a manner which poses a danger
to the health and safety of employees, clients, and/or the public, or
without due regard for proper sanitation or hygiene;
(5) Any violation of this Article or state law by any person has
occurred on the premises, and has not been prevented by the managing
employee thereof;
(6) In the case of a permit issued subject to conditions that
any person making use of such permit is violating or has violated any
conditions set forth therein; or
(7) That an inadvertent error or omission in establishing the
original conditions requires modifying or adding to such conditions, but
a permit or certificate shall not be revoked because of such error or
omission; or
(8) That any of the findings required under subsection 4-
55,080 can no longer be made.
(b) Procedure for suspension or revocation of massage
establishment permit, managing employee permit or massage practitioner
permit.
( 1 ) Whenever the City Manager has reasonable cause to
believe that grounds for the suspension or revocation of a permit exists,
he/she shall give the holder of the permit written notice stating the
alleged grounds for the suspension or revocation and the effective date
of the suspension or revocation. This notice will be by. certified mail,
return receipt requested, and/or hand delivered to the managing
employee, and shall provide the permit holder with information on the
appeal process.
F:\WPDXIvlNRSVfi273\ORD.98XMASSAGE.APL 24
(2) A revocation, modification or suspension of a permit may
be appealed in accordance with the provisions of Section 4-55.080.
Upon receipt of a request for an appeal heating, the City Manager shall
notify the permit holder in writing of the date, time, and place of the
heating.
At the heating, the holder of the permit shall have the right to
appear and be represented by counsel and to present evidence and
arguments which are relevant to the grounds for the appeal, as stated in
the written request for an appeal hearing.
(3) Upon a written decision of the Appeals Board which
suspends or revokes a permit the holder of the permit shall surrender
the permit to the City Manager immediately after service of the notice
of the written decision.
(4) In lieu of revocation of a permit, if the Appeals Board finds
that any of the conditions in subsection (a) paragraphs (6) - (8) exist,
the Board may modify any existing conditions of the permit and impose
any new conditions it deems necessary or appropriate to correct the
situation.
4-55.160 Prohibited acts.
(a) Touching of sexual and genital parts of client during
massage. No holder of a massage establishment permit, managing employee permit,
massage practitioner permit, temporary massage practitioner or any other employee
of a massage establishment shall place either his/her hand or hands upon, or touch
with any part of his/her body, or with a mechanical device, a sexual or genital part of
any other person in the course of a massage, or massage a sexual or genital part of any
other person. Sexual and genital parts shall include the genitals, pubic area, anus, or
perineum of any person.
(b) Uncovering and exposure of sexual and genital parts of client
before, during or after massage. No holder of a massage establishment permit,
managing employee permit, massage practitioner.permit or.any other. employee of a
massage establishment shall uncover and expose the sexual or genital parts of a client
or themselves while engaged in the practice of massage, or before or after a massage.
This subsection does not prohibit a client from turning over in the course of a
massage, so long as the massage practitioner holds a towel, sheet, blanket, or other
F:\WPDXMNRSWX273\ORD.98MVzASSAGE.APL 25
drape over the client to protect his/her genital and sexual parts from exposure. If the
client exposes genital area, the practitioner shall immediately direct the client to re-
cover him/herself. If the client refuses to comply, the massage practitioner shall
inform the client that no further massage will be provided and the client will be asked
to leave the premises. If the client refuses to leave the premises, the massage
practitioner must immediately leave the room and notify the managing employee.
(c) Outcall massage services. It shall be unlawful for any massage
establishment permittee or massage practitioner to provide outcall massage services
within the City unless it occurs at the client's residence, and the client possesses a
referral from a licensed chiropractor or physician stating that treatment in a licensed
massage establishment is not recommended and the medical reason why it is not
recommended, or at a business establishment in which clients shall be owners and
employees of the business and the massage treatment consists of a "business
massage" as defined in Section 4-55.020(a). A record of every such referral shall be
obtained and kept by the person rendering the service for a period of one year from
the date of referral. Such record shall show the full legal name and street address of
the doctor or chiropractor, the date, and any prescription number. Massage
practitioners providing outcall massage also comply with all other relevant provisions
of this Article.
4-55.170 Application of this Article to preexisting massage
establishments and persons engaged in the practice of
massage.
Except as otherwise provided herein, the provisions of this chapter shall
become applicable to massage establishments and persons engaged in the practice of
massage which lawfully existed in the City prior to the effective date of this Article.
In order to comply with this Article, the holder of an existing permit
must apply at least sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of that permit for a new
permit, pursuant to this Article, pay all applicable fees and demonstrate, to the
satisfaction of the City Manager, that he/she meets all requirements of this Article.
4-55.180 Violations of Article; penalties.
The violation of any provision of this Article, or the violation of any condition
of a permit issued hereunder, shall constitute a misdemeanor and a public nuisance,
subject to the penalties as prescribed in Chapter 3 of this Code. The enforcement of
this Article pursuant to Chapter 3 shall be in addition to any proceedings conducted
F:\WPDMMNRSWX273\ORD.98XMASSAGE.APL 26
under S~ction 4-55.150 to suspend or revoke a permit or any proceedings conducted
under Article 4-05 of this Chapter to revoke a business license by reason of the sarnc
violation.
This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect thirty (30) days after its
passage and adoption.
The above and foregoing Ordinance was regularly intro&med and after the
waiting time required by law, was thereafter passed and adopted at a regular meeting
of d~e City Coundl of Saratoga held on the~Sth day of February , 1998, by the
following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Jacobs, Moran, Shaw, and Mayor Wolfe
NOES:
None
ABSENT: Counci] member Bogosi an
ATTEST:
City Clerk
MSR:&p
Key: February 12, 1998
J:\WPDWINKSWX273\OF, D.98WIASSAGli. APL