Fairfax to centralize massage-establishment oversight in Health Department, tighten rules to curb illicit activity

Fairfax County staff told the Safety and Security Committee on May 20 that they plan to propose repealing Fairfax County Code Chapter 28.1 and replacing it with a new Chapter 28.2 that would transfer regulatory authority for massage establishments to the Fairfax County Health Department and strengthen local tools to address illicit activity.

Jessica Werder, deputy director for public-health operations, told the committee the presentation was conceptual and intended to solicit a “pulse check” from supervisors before staff completes draft ordinance language. Werder said the proposed code change would remove local permitting of individual massage therapists because the Commonwealth already licenses therapists through the State Board of Nursing/Department of Health Professions, and instead concentrate local regulation and enforcement on establishments.

Why it matters: county staff said focusing local authority on establishments will reduce duplicative regulation, allow targeted…