Ordinance 2010-02
ORDINANCE NO. 2010-02
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GILROY AMENDING
CHAPTER 13, ARTICLE VI, ENTITLED "REGULATION
OF MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS AND MASSAGE
PRACTITIONERS. "
WHEREAS, on October 6, 2003, the City of Gilroy ("City") adopted Ordinance No.
2003-16, which established regulations for massage practitioners and establishments; and
WHEREAS, in 2008 the Governor signed into law Senate Bill 731 which amends the
Business and Professions Code regulating massage therapists and practitioners; and
WHEREAS, the law was effective on September 1, 2009 and supersedes the City's
permitting and licensing requirements for those practitioners and therapists who have obtained
State certification; and
WHEREAS, Senate Bill 731 does not affect local ordinances requiring a massage
business from obtaining a business licenses and the owner of a massage business from obtaining
a local permit to operate a massage business within the City; and
WHEREAS, this Ordinance is exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section
15061 (b )(3) of the State Guidelines implementing the California Environmental Quality Act of
1970, as amended.
NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION OF THE FOREGOING, THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GILROY DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AND ENACT AS
FOLLOWS:
SECTION I
That existing Gilroy City Code, Chapter 13 [entitled "Licenses"], Article VI entitled
["Regulation of Massage Establishments and Massage Practitioners"] is hereby repealed in its
entirety and replaced with a new Chapter 13, Article VI, to read as follows:
"ARTICLE VI. REGULATION OF MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS AND
MASSAGE PRACTITIONERS
Sec. 13.47. Purpose and intent.
(a) Purpose.
(1) In enacting these regulations, the City of Gilroy City Council ("city council")
recognizes that massage is a viable professional field offering the public valuable
health and therapeutic services.
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(2) It is the purpose and intent of the city council that the operation of massage
establishments and persons offering massage be regulated in the interests of
public health, safety, and welfare by providing minimum building, sanitation, and
health standards and to ensure that persons offering massage shall possess the
minimum qualifications necessary to operate such businesses and to perform such
services offered.
(3) It is the intent of this Article VI 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, nor have the existing controls regulated the profession so as to
discourage the use of the profession for objectionable and illegal purposes.
(b) Conflicts with other provisions of this Code. In the event of any conflicts or
inconsistencies between the provisions of this Article VI and the remaining provisions of
this Chapter 13 or with the provisions of any other chapter( s) of the City Code, the
provisions of this Article VI shall control, unless to do so would be inconsistent with the
stated purpose of this Article VI.
(c) Responsibility for enforcement. The primary responsibility for enforcement of the
provisions of this Article VI shall be vested in the chief of police.
Sec. 13.48. Definitions.
For purposes of this article, the following words, terms and phrases are defined as
follows:
California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) The governing non-profit board that is
authorized to evaluate qualifications of massage therapists and issue certification in the
State of California. There are two levels of certification: CMT (Certified Massage
Therapist) and CMP (Certified Massage Practitioner).
City administrator means the city administrator of the City of Gilroy, or his or her
designee.
Managing employee means any employee of a massage establishment who has been
designated by the holder of the massage establishment permit to manage the business in
his/her absence. The managing employee may perform massages at the business only if
he/she obtains and maintains in effect a massage practitioner permit.
Massage means any method of treating the external parts of the human body by bathing,
rubbing, pressing, stroking, kneading, tapping, vibrating, or touching or stimulating with
the hands or any part of the body, or any instrument.
Massage establishment means any establishment, having a fixed place of business in the
city in which massages are given in return for compensation of any type, including but
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not limited to any hot tub/sauna establishment in which massage services are made
available to clients.
Massage practitioner means any person, including a non-medical massage practitioner
or a certified massage therapist, who performs massage in return for compensation of any
type who has completed a minimum of two hundred (200) or more verifiable hours in a
resident course of study from a recognized school on the theory, ethics, history, practice,
methods, profession or work of massage, including the study of anatomy and physiology
and hygiene, with at least seventy-five (75) hours of the required two hundred (200)
hours in the areas of demonstration and practice of massage techniques from a recognized
school, and which provides a diploma or certificate of completion upon successful
completion of such resident course of study.
Out-call massage service means any business which provides massage services at a
location designated by the customer or client or the massage practitioner or the out-call
massage service, other than at a designated approved massage establishment.
Person means any individual, partnership, firm, association, corporation, joint venture or
any other combination of individuals for the purpose of doing business.
Police chief means the Gilroy police chief or his or her designee.
Recognized school means any school or institution of higher learning which has been
approved pursuant to California Education Code Section 94300 et seq. or other applicable
state law or regulations of California or another state, or any public school recognized by
the International Massage Association Inc., Associated Bodyworker and Massage
Professionals Inc., American Massage Therapy Association Inc, National Certification
Board of Therapeutic Massage, or other recognized association which requires a resident
course of study of a minimum of two hundred (200) verifiable hours on the theory, ethics,
history, practice, methods, profession or work of massage, including the study of
anatomy and physiology and hygiene, with at least seventy-five (75) hours of the required
two hundred (200) hours in the areas of demonstration and practice of massage
techniques, and which provides a diploma or certificate of completion upon successful
completion of such course of study. Schools offering correspondence course(s) nor
requiring actual attendance of class shall not be deemed a recognized school. The city
shall have the right to confrrm the fact that the applicant has actually attended classes in a
recognized school for the aforementioned minimum time period.
State CertifICate Holder means a person who holds a current and valid California state
certificate from the CAMTC as a massage practitioner or massage therapist, per Business
and Professions Code sections 4600-4620.
Sec. 13.49. Exemptions.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to:
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(a) Physicians, surgeons, chiropractors, osteopaths, nurses, physical therapists or other
health professionals who are duly licensed to practice their respective professions
under the laws of the State of California.
(b) Persons who hold a current and valid CAMTC state certification and who are
practicing consistent with the qualifications and requirements of such certificate.
(c) Massage practitioners and massage practitioner trainees who are performing
massage in the offices of a licensed physician, surgeon, chiropractor, osteopath,
physical therapist or other licensed medical professional, or at a hospital, nursing
home, convalescent home, hospice or sanitarium when and while under the direct
supervision of a licensed medical professional. Massage practitioners who are
independent contractors of chiropractors are not exempt from this article.
(d) Barbers or cosmetologists who are duly licensed under the laws of the State of
California while performing massage within the scope of their licenses.
(e) Massage practitioners who perform massages which are clearly incidental to the
operation of a personal fitness training center, gymnasium, athletic facility or health
club, when the giving of massage for compensation is not a principal function of
such businesses. In determining whether massage constitutes a principal or
incidental function of personal fitness training centers, gymnasiums, athletic
facilities or health clubs, the police chief shall consider the following: the percent of
income derived from massages, including the amount of floor space devoted to the
massage business, said floor space and income percentages shall not exceed twenty-
five (25) percent; the number of employees assigned to massage services; and the
manner in which the business advertises and holds itself out to the public. The
decision of the police chief regarding whether a particular business is entitled to
exemption may be appealed to the city administrator through the procedures set
forth in section 13.53.
(f) Persons administering massages or health treatments involving massage to other
persons who are participating in a recreational or special event that has been
approved by the city, provided that the following conditions are met:
(1) The massage services are made available equally to all participants in the event;
(2) The event is open to participation by the general public or a significant segment
of the public;
(3) The massage services are provided during the event in an open environment at
the site of the event;
(4) The sponsors of the event have approved the provision of massage services at
the event; and
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(5) The persons providing the massage services are in compliance with all
applicable City Codes and other laws.
(g) Licensed manicurists and l'edicurists.
Sec. 13.50. Permit requirements for massage establishments, managing employees and
massage practitioners.
(a) Massage establishment permits. No person shall establish, operate or maintain a
massage establishment within city limits without first obtaining from the police
chief, and maintaining in effect, a massage establishment permit. It is unlawful to
operate, establish or maintain a massage establishment while the massage
establishment permit issued for such business has been suspended or revoked or has
expired.
(b) Managing employee permit. No person shall act as the managing employee for a
massage establishment within city limits unless he/she has obtained a managing
employee permit from the police chief. It is unlawful for any person to act as the
managing employee of a massage establishment while hislher managing employee
permit has been suspended or revoked, or has expired.
(c) Massage practitioner permit. No person shall practice massage or give massages in
return for compensation of any type within city limits without obtaining from the
police chief and maintaining in effect a massage practitioner permit or has a current
and valid state certification through CAMTC. It is unlawful for any person to
practice massage or give massages in return for compensation while his/her massage
practitioner permit or state certification has been suspended or revoked, or has
expired.
(d) 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 or must have current and valid state
certification through CAMTC.
Sec. 13.51. Educational requirements for massage practitioners, and holders of massage
establishment permits, and managing employee permits.
(a) General educational requirements. Except as indicated below, all applicants for a
massage establishment permit, managing employee permit 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 completion from a recognized school
which shows satisfactory completion of a resident course of study of a
minimum of two hundred (200) verifiable hours on the theory, ethics, history,
practice, methods, profession or work of massage, including the study of
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anatomy and physiology and hygiene, with at least seventy-five (75) hours of
the required two hundred (200) hours in the areas of demonstration and practice
of massage techniques; or
(2) Possession of a diploma or certificate of completion from a recognized school
or public school showing satisfactory completion of a minimum of two hundred
(200) verifiable hours or more of a non-repetitive curriculum which covers the
subjects described in subsection 1 above, and a transcript or transcripts from a
college or junior or community college in the State of California, or a college or
junior or community college in another state from which courses would be
acceptable for transfer credit to any college in the California State University
and College System, which shows completion, with a passing grade or better,
of at least eight (8) quarter units or six (6) semester units of courses in health
theory, health care, anatomy, physiology, psychology, bio-mechanics or
kinesiology.
(b) Exemptions from educational requirements. The following persons are exempt from
the educational requirements set forth in subsection (a):
(1 ) Applicants for a massage establishment permit or managing employee permit
who sign a declaration under penalty of perjury that they will not personally
give massages at the massage establishment; or
(2) Holders of massage establishment business licenses and massage practitioner
business licenses issued by the city before the effective date of this article shall
have a period of two (2) years from the effective date of this article to satisfy
the educational requirements set forth in subsection (a).
Sec. 13.52. Applications for massage establishment permits, managing employee permits,
and massage practitioner permits.
(a) Submission of application. All persons who wish to obtain a massage establishment
permit, managing employee permit or massage practitioner permit from the city
shall file a written application with the police chief on a form provided by the city,
which contains the following information:
(1) The full name, including any nicknames or other names used presently or in the
past, and the present address and phone number of the applicant;
(2) The applicant's two (2) most recent addresses within the last seven (7) years,
and the dates of residence at each address;
(3) Proof the applicant is over eighteen (18) years of age;
(4) The applicant's height, weight and colors of eyes and hair;
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(5) The applicant's driver's license and/or California I.D. number (if any) and social
security number;
(6) Documentation to prove that the applicant has a lawful right to work in the
United States, which shall also include work visas;
(7) The applicant's two (2) most recent employers within the last seven (7) years,
including their names, addresses and phone numbers, and the position held by
the applicant;
(8) The names and addresses of any massage facility or other businesses involving
massage by which the applicant has been employed, or self-employed as a
massage practitioner, within the past ten (10) years;
(9) 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;
(10) Any criminal charges pending against the applicant at the time of the
application, other than traffic citations, the name and location of the court in
which the criminal charges are pending and the applicable case numbers;
(11) Whether the applicant has ever had a license, certificate or permit related to the
practice of massage, or the operation of a massage establishment, or other
business involving 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 public agency which suspended or revoked such license, permit
or certificate;
(12) Whether the applicant, including the massage establishment, managing
employee or massage practitioner permit applicant, as a member of a
corporation 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 through
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;
(13) Whether the applicant provided sufficient information to the city's satisfaction
that they meet the educational requirements set forth in section 13.51 (except in
cases involving applications for massage establishment permits, or managing
employee permits, when the applicant has filed a statement under penalty of
perjury that he/she will not personally give massages at the massage
establishment);
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(14) Whether the applicant has previously applied to the city for a massage
establishment permit, managing employee permit, or massage practitioner
permit, the date of the previous application and any other 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 address of the massage establishment,
together with the name and address of any other massage business operated or
managed by the applicant or in which the applicant has or had a business
interest, within the ten (10) years preceding the date of the application;
(16) The name and address of the owner and lessor of the real property upon or in
which the business is to be conducted. In the event the applicant is not the legal
owner of the property, the 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 his/her property.
(17) Proof of malpractice insurance in the sum of not less than one hundred
thousand dollars ($100,000.00) per massage therapist licensed, or to be
licensed, at the massage establishment up to a maximum of five hundred
thousand dollars ($500,000.00); this requirement can be satisfied by
malpractice insurance being provided in the name of individual massage
practitioner.
(18) 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;
(19) Written authorization for the city, its agents and employees, to seek information
and to conduct an investigation into the truth of the statements set forth in the
application and into the background of the applicant and the managing
employee;
(20) The applicant shall advise the city in writing of any change of address or
change in fact(s) represented to city which may occur during the city's
processing of the application for a massage establishment permit; and
(21) A statement under penalty of perjury that the applicant has not knowingly and
with the intent to deceive 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.
(b) Other required information. Applicants for massage establishment permits,
managing employee permits and massage practitioner permits shall also submit the
following information to the police chief at the time of their application:
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(1) A birth certificate or other legal documentation that verifies the identity of the
applicant and verifies that the applicant is over eighteen (18) years of age;
(2) A certificate that verifies that the applicant passed the county health
department's protocol;
(3) A diploma, certificate of completion, transcripts from each school or institution
from which the massage practitioner has obtained training or other written
proof acceptable to the police chief that the applicant has met the educational
requirements set forth in section 13.51. Diplomas, certificates of completion
and transcripts shall indicate the number of hours or training received by the
certificate holder. In the case of applications for a massage establishment
permit or managing employee permit only, the applicant may, if applicable,
submit to the police chief with hislher application a written statement under
penalty of perjury that he/she will not personally give massages at the massage
establishment;
(4) Other related information requested by the police chief in order to evaluate the
background and qualifications of the applicant for the permit sought. This may
include information or documentation to indicate whether the massage
establishment or massage practitioner is affiliated with or a member of any
recognized national or state massage therapy association or organization.
(c) Payment of permit fees. At the time of filing an original application for a massage
establishment permit, managing employee permit or massage practitioner permit,
applicants shall pay massage establishment permit fees, managing employee permit
fees or massage practitioner's permit fees (as applicable) in an amount established
by a resolution of the city council. All fees shall be non-refundable. If an applicant
for a massage establishment permit or managing employee permit is simultaneously
applying for a massage practitioner permit because he/she intends to give massages
at hislher business, the city shall not charge any additional fees related to the
massage practitioner permit.
(d) Processing of application and investigation. Upon receipt of an application for a
massage establishment permit, managing employee permit or massage practitioner
permit, the police chief 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 a permit, or the application is incomplete. the
application may be denied without further investigation. If it appears from the face
of the application and supplementary material that the applicant may be eligible for
the permit sought, the police chief 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 police chief shall
either require two (2) passport style photographs and/or take a recent
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photograph of the applicant. Applicant shall also be responsible for submitting
fingerprints pursuant to "Lifescan" procedures with the county sheriffs office
and pay all costs associated with such submittal. The applicant's fmgerprints
will then be submitted to the department of justice and the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) for evaluation. Upon receipt of the report from the
Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau oflnvestigation (FBI), the police
chief shall review the criminal history (if any) of the applicant.
(2) Investigation of location and premises of massage establishment or permit.
Upon receipt of an application for a massage establishment permit, the police
chief shall refer the application to the city's ftre, building and community
development departments, who shall review the application and, if necessary,
inspect the premises to ensure that the operation of the business at the
designated site will comply with the city's zoning, building and fire safety
standards, and any other applicable city codes. If a use permit is required for
the massage establishment the applicant shall comply with the city's zoning
code.
(3) Additional investigation. The police chief may conduct additional investigation
in a manner authorized by law when necessary to determine whether the
applicant meets the qualifications for a permit pursuant to this article.
Sec. 13.53. Grant or denial of application for massage establishment permit, managing
employee permit, massage practitioner permit.
(a) Time for grant or denial of applications. The police chief shall grant or deny the
application for a massage establishment permit, managing employee permit or
massage practitioner permit within sixty (60) days of the applicant's submission of
the application and all required supplementary material. When necessary to conduct
a complete investigation of an application, the police chief may extend this time to
ninety (90) days.
(b) Grounds for denial of massage establishment permit, managing employee permit or
massage practitioner permit. The police chief shall deny an application for a
massage establishment, managing employee permit or massage practitioner permit if
any of the following circumstances exist:
(1) The application is incomplete and/or required supplementary materials are not
submitted on a timely basis;
(2) The applicant does not have the required educational qualifications, unless the
applicant is exempted from these requirements pursuant to section 13.51(b);
(3) The applicant has previously had a massage establishment permit, managing
employee permit, massage practitioner permit or similar license, certificate or
permit revoked by the city or any other public agency;
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(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 so employed, has been
successfully prosecuted in an abatement proceeding under the California Red
Light Abatement Act (Penal Code Sections 11225 through 11325) or any other
similar laws in another jurisdiction;
(6) The applicant has been convicted of:
a. An offense which requires registration pursuant to California Penal Code
Section 290; or a violation of Sections 266(h), 266(i), 311 through 311.7,
314,315,316,318 or 647(b), 647(d), 647(f) 647.1 of the California Penal
Code, or equivalent offenses under the laws of another jurisdiction;
b. A prior offense which involves violation of California Health and Safety
Code Sections 11351 through 11354, 11358 through 11363, 11378
through 11380, or the sale of controlled substances specified in California
Health and Safety Code Sections 11054, 11056, 11057 or 11058, or
equivalent offenses under the laws of another jurisdiction;
c. Any offense involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or the use of force or
violence upon another person; or
d. Any offense involving sexual misconduct with children.
e. For purposes of this section, a plea of "nolo contendere" may also serve as
the basis for the denial of a massage establishment permit, massage
practitioner permit or managing employee permit because the above-listed
underlying offenses bear a substantial relationship to the qualifications,
functions or duties of a massage establishment.
(7) The operation of the massage establishment would violate the city's zoning,
building or fire regulations, or other provisions of law or the City Code.
(c) Notice to applicant of grant or denial of application. The police chief shall give
written notice to the applicant of the grant or denial of the application for a permit
by certified mail or by personal service. If the application is denied, the notice shall
advise the applicant of the reasons for the denial and of his/her right to appeal the
decision to the city administrator through the procedures set forth in subsection (d),
below.
(d) Appeal of denial of massage establishment permit, managing employee permit or
massage practitioner permit to city administrator. Upon the denial of an application
for a massage establishment permit, managing employee permit or a massage
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practitioner permit by the police chief, the applicant may appeal to the city
administrator through the following procedures:
(1 ) Request for appeal hearing. The applicant shall file a written request for an
appeal hearing, which states the specific grounds on which the decision of the
police chief to deny the permit is contested, with the city administrator's office
within ten (10) days of the personal service of the police chiefs decision to the
applicant at the most recent home or business address on file with the police
department, or within ten (10) days of service of the police chiefs decision in
the United States mail by certified mail.
(2) Notice of time and place of hearing. Upon receipt of a timely request for an
appeal hearing, the city administrator's office shall notify the applicant in
writing of the date, time and place of the hearing before the city administrator,
which shall not be less than ten (10) days after the service of such written
notice on the applicant by in-person delivery at the most recent home or
business address on file with the city or ten (10) days after the deposit of the
notice in an envelope addressed to the applicant in the United States mail by
certified mail.
(3) Hearing before city administrator. At the hearing, both the applicant and the
police chief shall have the right to appear and be represented by counsel, and to
present evidence and arguments relevant to the grounds on which the decision
to deny the application is appealed. The burden of proof shall be on the
applicant to show that he/she meets the qualifications for a massage
establishment permit, managing employee permit, massage practitioner permit
and is entitled to the issuance of such permit.
(4) Decision of city administrator. Within ten (10) days of the hearing, the city
administrator shall issue a written decision, which states whether the decision
of the police chief to deny the application is upheld or reversed, and the reasons
for this determination. The decision shall be served upon the applicant by
personal service or by certified mail. The decision of the city administrator
shall be final and conclusive upon the applicant.
Sec. 13.54. Business license.
It is unlawful for any person to open or operate a massage establishment without
obtaining and maintaining in effect a city business license.
Sec. 13.55. Operating requirements for massage establishments.
Unless otherwise specified herein, all massage establishments shall comply with the
following operating requirements.
(a) Exterior signs. A recognizable and legible sign should be posted at the main
entrance identifying the business as a Massage Establishment. Such sign need not be
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the primary sign for the business, but should clearly identify the establishment to
foot and/or automobile traffic.
(b) Posting of massage establishment permit. A copy of the massage establishment
permit shall be posted in a conspicuous place in such a manner that it can easily be
seen by persons entering the massage establishment.
(c) Designation of managing employee. If the holder of the permit will not personally
manage the business during all hours of operation, he/she shall designate one (1) or
more managing employees 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 also obtain a massage practitioner permit.
(d) Display of managing employee permit. If the holder of the permit has designated a
managing employee, the managing employee permit issued to this employee shall be
displayed in a conspicuous place on the premises of the massage establishment.
Each managing employee permit holder shall be issued a photo identification badge
from the city's police department.
(e) Display of massage practitioner permit. Every massage practitioner employed by
the massage establishment shall hold a valid massage practitioner permit issued by
the city's police department or maintain valid state certification through CAMTC.
Each massage practitioner that is permitted through the city shall be issued a photo
identification badge from the city's police department. The massage practitioner
permit holder or CAMTC license holder shall display the identification badge on
his/her person during business hours, or have the identification badge displayed in
plain view.
(f) Dressing room. Clients of the massage establishment shall be furnished with a
dressing room, or private area for changing clothes if a dressing room is not
available. Dressing rooms shall be used only by clients of the same sex at the same
time.
(g) Payment/tips. All massage services shall be paid for in the reception area, and all
tips, if any, shall be paid for in the reception area Massage establishments may
utilize a system where tip envelopes are provided in the treatment rooms to be
utilized and deposited by the client in the reception area.
(h) Alcohol prohibited. No alcoholic beverages may be possessed or consumed on the
premises of the massage establishment.
(i) No condoms. No condoms shall be kept at the massage establishment unless they
are the personal property of persons on-site, and they are for the individual's
personal use.
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G) Standard of dress. The holder of the massage establishment permit, managing
employee, massage practitioners, and all other employees of the massage
establishment shall remain fully clothed at all times while on the premises of the
massage establishment. At a minimum, such clothing shall be made of a non-
transparent material and shall not expose the buttocks, genital area or breasts of any
employee or the holder of the permit. Bikini swimsuits and halter tops shall not be
acceptable.
(k) Operating hours. All massage establishments shall be closed for business by no
later than 10:00 p.m. and shall open for business no earlier than 6:00 a.m. The city
may set the specific operating hours for each massage establishment through the
conditional use permit process. It shall be unlawful for any massage practitioner, or
other employee of a massage establishment, to give or practice massage during the
hours when the massage establishment is required to be closed.
(1) List of services. A list of services available and the cost of such services shall be
posted in an open public place within the premises, and they shall be described in
readily understandable language. No owner, operator, manager, and/or responsible,
managing employee shall permit, and no massage practitioner shall offer or perform,
any service other than those posted.
(m) Records. Every massage establishment shall keep a written record of the date and
hour of each service provided; the first and last name of each patron and the service
received; and the first and last name of the massage practitioner administering the
service. Said records shall be open to inspection to city officials, including, but not
limited to the police department and the city attorney's office, which is charged with
enforcement of this Article VI. These records may not be used by the massage
establishment for any other purpose than as records of service provided, and unless
otherwise required by law, they shall not be provided to third parties by the massage
establishment. Said records shall be retained on the premises of the massage
establishment business office for a period of not less than three (3) years.
Sec. 13.56. Sanitation requirements/condition of premises.
(a) Required maintenance of massage establishments. All premises and facilities of the
massage establishments 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 the structure, adequacy of the plumbing, heating,
ventilating and waterproofing of rooms in which showers, water or steam baths are
used.
(b) Linens. All massage establishments shall provide clean, laundered sheets, towels,
and other linens in sufficient quantity for use by their clients. Such linens shall be
laundered after each use and stored in a sanitary manner. No common use of linens
or towels shall be permitted. Heavy white paper may be substituted for sheets on
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massage tables, so long as such paper is used only once for each client and is then
discarded into a sanitary receptacle. Sanitary receptacles shall be provided for the
storage of all soiled linens.
(c) Privacy standards for massage rooms, dressing rooms and rest rooms. Dressing
rooms and rest rooms may only be used by clients of the same sex at the same time.
The massage establishment shall provide doors on all of its dressing rooms and
massage rooms. Draw drapes, curtain enclosures or accordion-pleated enclosures are
acceptable in lieu of doors for dressing and massage rooms.
(d) No residential use. No part of the massage establishment shall be used for
residential or sleeping purposes. No cooking or food preparation will be allowed on
the premises unless it is within an employee only designated kitchen area.
Sec. 13.57. Prohibited acts.
(a) Touching of sexual and genital parts of client during massage. No holder of a
massage establishment permit, managing employee, 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, 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 or the vulva or breast of a female.
(b) Uncovering and exposure of sexual and genital parts before, during or after
massage. No holder of a massage establishment permit, managing employee,
massage practitioner, or other employee of a massage establishment shall uncover
and expose the sexual or genital parts, as defined in subsection (a), above, of a client
or themselves in the course of giving a 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 drape over the
client to protect his/her genital and sexual parts from exposure.
Sec. 13.58. Out-call massage services.
(a) Massage establishment permit requiredfor out-call massage services with massage
facility or principal place of business located within city limits. It is unlawful to
establish or operate an out-call massage service which maintains or operates a
facility at which massages are given or are made available to clients within city
limits, or whose principal place of business is located within city limits, without
obtaining and maintaining in effect a massage establishment permit from the police
chief. Such out-call massage services must comply with all provisions of this article
applicable to massage establishments.
(b) Massage establishment permit not required for out-call massage services with
massage facility or principal place of business not located within city limits. A
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massage establishment permit shall not be required for any out-call massage service
which does not operate or maintain a facility at which massages are given or made
available to clients, or maintain a principal place of business within city limits.
(c) Massage practitioner permit or valid state CAMTC certification required for
massage practitioners dispatched into city limits by out-of-town out-call massage
services. Any massage practitioner dispatched to give massages at locations within
city limits from an out-call massage service located within or outside of city limits
must obtain and maintain in effect a massage practitioner permit or valid state
CAMTC certification pursuant to section 13.50(c) and must comply with all
applicable provisions of this Article. The provisions of section 13.55, except for
subsection 0), and section 13.56 shall not apply to such Out-call massage
practitioners. Such massage practitioners shall maintain their certificates upon their
persons, or within their immediate reach, at all times while performing massage in
the city and shall display these upon the request of any city police officer.
(d) Special procedures for massage practitioners dispatched to hotels or motels in city
limits by out-call massage service. Massage practitioners may be dispatched to
hotels or motels within the city limits by any out-call massage service only by the
direct arrangement of the hotel or motel in conjunction with an incidental service
regularly provided by the hotel or motel and only if the out-call massage service and
massage practitioners have first obtained a permit(s) as required by this article.
Sec. 13.59. Transfer of massage establishment permit, managing employee permit,
massage practitioner permit.
No massage establishment permit, managing employee permit or massage practitioner
permit issued pursuant to this article shall be transferred or assigned in any manner, whether by
operation of law or otherwise, from location to location or from person to person, except that any
person possessing a valid massage practitioner permit shall be able to move from one employer
to another without filing a new application or paying a new fee, so long as the permit holder
notifies the police chief of the change in his/her employment within five (5) days.
Sec. 13.60. Expiration and renewal of massage establishment permits, managing employee
permits, and massage practitioner permit; payment of renewal fee.
(a) All massage establishment permits, managing employee permits, and city issued
massage practitioner permits shall expire on July 31 st following the date of their
issuance, unless revoked sooner by the police chief. Applications for renewal of a
permit must be submitted to the police chief by no later than sixty (60) days before
the expiration of such permit on a form provided by the police department, which
shall require the applicant for renewal to update the information contained in his/her
original application. The applicant must pay the city a non-refundable renewal fee,
in the amount established by resolution of the city council, at the time of filing
his/her application for renewal. After investigating the application for renewal, the
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police chief may renew the massage establishment permit, managing employee
permit or massage practitioner permit 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 section 13.53(b) exist. The police chief shall give the applicant for
renewal written notice of his /her decision within sixty (60) days of the submission of
the application for renewal to the police department by personal service of the
decision to the applicant at his/her most recent home or business address on file with
the police department or deposit of the decision in the United States mail by certified
mail. If the application is denied, the notice shall state the specific grounds for the
denial and that the applicant may appeal to the city administrator through the
procedures set forth in section 13.53(d).
(b) If the holder of a massage establishment permit, managing employee permit or a
massage practitioner permit does not file a timely application for renewal (sixty (60)
days before expiration of the permit), he/she shall be required to file an application
for a new permit pursuant to section 13.52 and to pay the applicable fees.
Sec. 13.61. Suspension and revocation of massage establishment permits, managing
employee permits and massage practitioner permits.
(a) Groundsfor suspension or revocation of massage establishment permit or managing
employee permit. The police chiefmay suspend for a period of up to nine (9)
months or revoke a massage establishment permit, or managing employee permit,
according to procedures set forth in subsection (c) below, if there is probable cause
to believe that:
(1 ) The permit holder has operated or managed the massage establishment in a
manner which violates any provision of this article, or other applicable City
Code provisions, state or federal law;
(2) The permit holder has committed any offense involving lewdness, indecent
exposure or prostitution, or any other offense which would be grounds for
denial of an application for a massage establishment permit or managing
employee permit pursuant to section 13.53, or employees of the massage
establishment have committed such offenses in the course of their employment
and the permit holder has permitted them to do so or has failed to prevent them
from doing so;
(3) Has made a false or misleading statement or omission of fact on his/her
application for a massage establishment permit, managing employee permit or
for renewal of the permit, or in any supplementary materials submitted with the
application; or
(4) Is operating or managing the massage establishment in a manner which poses a
danger to the health and safety of clients and/or the public, or without due
regard for proper sanitation or hygiene.
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(b) Grounds for revocation or suspension of massage practitioner permit. The police
chief may suspend for a period of up to nine (9) months or revoke a massage
practitioner permit according to the procedures set forth in subsection (c), below, if
there is probable cause to believe that:
(1) The massage practitioner has violated any provision of this article, or other
applicable provisions of the City Code;
(2) The massage practitioner has committed any violation of law related to
lewdness, indecent exposure, prostitution or any offense which would be
grounds for denial of an application for a massage practitioner permit pursuant
to section 13.53(b);
(3) The massage practitioner has made a false or misleading statement or omission
of fact on his/her application for a permit or for renewal of a permit or in any
supplementary materials submitted with such applications; or
(4) The massage practitioner has practiced massage in a manner which poses a
danger to the health and safety of clients or the public, or without due regard
for proper sanitation or hygiene.
(5) In the event that a massage practitioner with CAMTC certification violates any
of the provisions within this ordinance the Police Chief and/or designee may
notify the CAMTC board with notification of the violations. It will be up to the
CAMTC to take action against massage practitioner.
(c) Procedure for revocation or suspension of massage establishment permit, managing
employee permit or massage practitioner permit.
(1) Notice to holder of permit. Whenever the police chief has probable cause to
believe that grounds for the suspension or revocation of a massage
establishment permit, managing employee permit or massage practitioner
permit exist, he/she shall give the holder of the permit written notice of the
date, time and place of a hearing to be held before the police chief on whether
the permit should be suspended or revoked. The notice shall state the alleged
grounds for the proposed revocation or suspension of the permit, and the notice
shall be served on the holder of the permit personally at the most recent home
or business address on file with the police department or by deposit of the
notice in the United States mail by certified mail. Said notice shall also state
that if no written request for a hearing is timely received, the applicant shall be
deemed to waive its rights to a hearing.
(2) Hearing before police chief The hearing on the revocation or suspension of
the permit shall be held before the police chief or his/her designee no less than
ten (10) days after the personal service of the notice to the holder of the permit
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at the most recent home or business address on file with the police department,
or no less than ten (10) days after deposit of the notice, addressed to the holder
of the permit or certificate, in the United States mail by certified mail. At the
hearing, the holder of the permit and a representative of the city shall have the
right to appear and to be represented by counsel, and to present evidence and
arguments which are relevant to a determination of whether grounds for
suspension or revocation of the permit or certificate exist.
(3) Decision of police chief Within ten (10) days after the hearing, the police chief
shall issue a written decision which states whether the permit is suspended or
revoked, the length of any suspension, and the factual basis for the decision,
and that the holder of the permit may appeal any suspension or revocation to
the city administrator through the procedures set forth in paragraph (4), below.
The decision of the police chief shall be served on the holder of the permit by
personal service at the most recent home or business address on file with the
police department or deposit of the notice, addressed to the holder of the
permit, in the United States mail by certified mail. Said notice shall also state
that if no written request for an appeal hearing is timely received, the applicant
shall be deemed to waive its rights to an appeal hearing.
(4) Request for appeal hearing before city administrator. The holder of the permit
may appeal the decision of the police chief by filing a written request for an
appeal hearing, which states the specific grounds on which the decision of the
police chief is contested, with the city administrator's office within ten (10)
days of the personal service to the holder of the permit of the police chiefs
decision at the most recent home or business address on file with the police
department, or within ten (10) days of service of the decision by deposit of the
notice, addressed to the holder of the permit, in the United States mail by
certified mail.
(5) Appeal hearing before city administrator. Upon receipt of a timely request for
an appeal hearing, the city administrator's office shall notify the permit holder
in writing of the date, time and place of the hearing before the city
administrator, which shall not be less than ten (10) days after service of such
written notice on the permit holder by personal service at the most recent home
or business address on file with the police department, or ten (10) days after
service of the notice by deposit of the notice, addressed to the holder of the
permit or certificate, in the United States mail by certified mail. At the hearing,
both the holder of the permit and the police chief 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 request for an appeal
hearing. Within ten (10) days of the hearing, the city administrator shall issue a
written decision that states whether the decision of the police chief is upheld,
modified or reversed, and the length of any suspension. The decision shall be
served on the holder of the permit by in-person delivery or by certified mail.
The decision of the city administrator shall be final.
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(6) Effective date of revocation or suspension. Any suspension or revocation of a
permit shall become effective immediately upon the personal service of the
written decision of the police chief, or, in the event of an appeal, the city
administrator, to the holder of the permit at the most recent home or business
address on file with the city, or within five (5) days of the deposit of such
decision addressed to the holder of the permit into the United States mail by
certified mail.
(7) Surrender of suspended or revoked massage establishment permit, managing
employee permit, or massage practitioner permit to police chief Upon a
written decision by the police chief, or in the event of an appeal, by the city
administrator, which suspends or revokes a massage establishment permit,
managing employee permit, or massage practitioner permit, the permit shall
immediately be surrendered to the police chief. In the case of a suspension, the
police chief shall return the permit after the period of suspension has ended.
Sec. 13.62. Criminal penalties.
Except as specified in section 13.57, a violation of any provision of this article is a
misdemeanor and may be prosecuted by the city in the name of the people of the State of
California. The maximum fme or penalty for any violation of this article shall be one thousand
dollars ($1000.00), or a term of imprisonment in the county jail for a period not exceeding six (6)
months, or both such fine and imprisonment. Except as otherwise provided, every such person
shall be guilty of a separate offense for each and every day during any portion of which any
violation is committed, continued or permitted by such person, and shall be punishable
accordingly.
Sec. 13.63. Massage establishment operated in violation of this article deemed a public
nuisance.
Any massage establishment which is opened, operated or maintained contrary to the
provisions of this article shall be deemed a public nuisance. In addition to, or in lieu of any other
available legal remedies, the city attorney or district attorney of Santa Clara County may
commence a civil legal action or actions in a court of competent jurisdiction to abate such
nuisance and to enjoin the continued operation and maintenance of the massage establishment in
a manner prohibited by this article."
SECTION II
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance is for any
reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the
remaining portions of this ordinance. The City Council of the City of Gilroy hereby declares that
it would have passed and adopted this Ordinance, and each section, subsection, sentence, clause
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or phrase hereof, irrespective of the fact that anyone or more sections, subsections, sentences,
clauses or phrases may be declared invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION III
This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect thirty (30) days after its passage
and adoption.
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ARELLANO, DILLON, GARTMAN,
TUCKER, WOODWARD and PINHEIRO
NOES: COUCILMEMBERS:
NONE
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
BRACCO
APPROVED:
//J
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I, SHA WNA FREELS, City Clerk of the City of Gilroy, do hereby certify that the
attached Ordinance No. 2010-02 is an original ordinance, or true and correct copy of a City
ordinance, duly adopted by the Council of the City of Gilroy at a regular meeting of said Council
held on the 11th day of January, 2010, at which meeting a quorum was present.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Official Seal of
the City of Gilroy this 12th day of January, 2010.
(Seal)