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Council asks staff to draft moratorium language as it examines health and wellness spa operations
Summary
Councilmembers asked staff to draft moratorium language and a definition for ‘health and wellness spas’ after staff raised concerns about unpermitted businesses providing massage and similar services in the city.
Councilmembers discussed a proposed six-month moratorium on new health and wellness spa businesses after staff reported that several establishments have opened in the city without clear permitting for their operations.
Councilmember Toro said the intent is to require a certificate of occupancy and a certificate of use to ensure that facilities meet building, fire, ventilation and sanitation requirements and that practitioners are appropriately licensed. Legal and planning staff responded that the city’s code already contains broad provisions governing massage practice (Chapter 177) and that state education law controls licensure for massage practitioners, but noted the municipal zoning code does not currently define “health and wellness spa.”
Legal counsel told the committee a moratorium typically needs a clear definition of the regulated activity in order to be enforceable; staff recommended drafting a definition and proposed regulatory language and returning to the committee. Councilmembers said they supported pausing new spa openings until the code is clarified and suggested a two-week timeline for a working draft of moratorium language to consider at the next cycle.
No moratorium ordinance was adopted at the meeting; staff were asked to prepare draft language that would include a definition, proposed certificate-of-use requirements and zoning provisions for committee review.
