Council directs staff to strengthen massage-establishment rules and enforcement after multiple complaints

Lake Jackson The City Council on Aug. 18 directed staff to revisit local regulations and enforcement practices for massage establishments after staff and police described recent compliance issues and closed multiple businesses for operating without current licenses.

City staff and police briefed the council on enforcement activity and on a prior coordinated education session with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Officials said three local massage businesses were recently closed for licensing issues and that code enforcement and police have identified online advertisements and customer reports that raised concerns about possible illegal activity at some establishments. The council heard from two long-standing local business representatives and from a local massage-practice owner, Linda Hearns, who said she appreciated the city's attention and described safety concerns for staff.

Staff recommended, and the council agreed, to review the city's current ordinance in light of recent state legislative changes and to work with a subject-matter resource (identified in staff remarks as John Madison) and with police and code enforcement to draft additional regulatory and enforcement options. Examples discussed included more specific licensing checks, restrictions on ownership or operation where violations have occurred, standards on window coverings and lobby visibility, and cross-training between code enforcement and police for ordinance enforcement.

Council members emphasized balancing enforcement against the needs of legitimate, licensed businesses. No new ordinance language was adopted at the meeting; staff was directed to draft proposed amendments and return to council for consideration.