Article XIX. Massage Establishments and Massage Technicians
5.08.1110 Definitions.
Except where the context otherwise requires, the words and phrases hereinafter set forth shall have the following meanings ascribed to them unless the context clearly requires to the contrary:
(1) “Massage” shall mean any method of treating the external parts of the body for remedial, health, or hygienic purposes. “Massage” includes, but is not limited to, treatment by means of pressure, friction, stroking, kneading, rubbing, tapping, pounding; treatment by means of stimulating the external parts of the body with any mechanical or electrical apparatus or appliances, or with rubbing alcohol, liniments, antiseptics, oils, powders, creams, lotions, ointments, or other similar preparations; and treatment by means of baths – including, but not limited to, Turkish, Russian, Swedish, Japanese, vapor, shower, electric or magnetic treatments, alcoholic rubs, or any other type of system for treating or manipulating the human body with or without the character of bath.
(2) “Massage establishment” shall mean any establishment having a fixed place of business where any person engages in, conducts, or carries on, or so licenses, any business of giving massage.
(3) “Massage technician” or “massage trainee” shall mean any person who administers to another person, for any form of consideration, a massage.
(4) “Employee” shall mean any and all persons, other than a massage technician, who renders any service to a massage establishment, and who receives compensation directly from the massage establishment licensee or his agent.
(5) “Recognized school of massage” shall mean:
(a) Any school or institution of learning which has been accredited or certified by the state of California and which teaches the theory, ethics, practice, profession, or work of massage, and which requires for graduation a resident course of study not less than 200 hours to be given in not less than six calendar months.
(b) Any school or institution of learning outside the state of California which teaches the theory, ethics, practice, profession or work of massage, which meets the minimum requirements set forth in Title 3, Division 21 of the California Administrative Code, and which has been approved by its State Board of Education.
Schools which offer a correspondence course not requiring attendance shall not be deemed a “recognized school of massage.”
The city shall have the right to confirm that the applicant has actually attended class in and graduated from a recognized school of massage. If the school or institution is located outside of California, the applicant shall include:
(a) A certified transcript of its record, including dates and courses, which shows the applicant completed the appropriate course of study; and
(b) A copy of the school or institution’s approval by its State Board of Education.
(6) “Out call massage service” shall mean any business which engages in or carries on massage and which business is not located at a fixed location but at a location designated by the customer or client. (Ord. 505 § 3. 2002 Code § 6-33.1).