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Council adopts updated massage facility ordinance to strengthen enforcement and clarify permitted uses
Summary
Council approved Ordinance 25-1013 amending Coeur d'Alene Municipal Code chapter 5.28 to add a purpose statement, inspection and enforcement tools, require certain records in English, add floor-plan requirements and clarify appeal stays; ordinance passed by roll call.
The City Council adopted Ordinance 25-1013 on July 15, revising municipal code chapter 5.28 (massage facilities and spas). The amendments update the code’s purpose language, strengthen enforcement tools and clarify licensing and appeals procedures for massage facilities and spas.
City staff said the code, originally enacted in 1961 and last amended in 2013, required updates because the state now licenses individual therapists at the state level and the city can only regulate facility owners. The revised ordinance adds a clear purpose statement emphasizing protection of legitimate massage businesses, gives staff additional inspection authority, requires certain records to be available in English, and adds a requirement for submission of floor plans to help detect unauthorized residential conversions or bedroom setups that have been observed in illicit operations elsewhere.
Staff noted the changes arose from stakeholder outreach and recent national and regional enforcement efforts targeting illicit facilities. The ordinance also clarifies appeal procedures: when a license is denied the applicant may not continue to operate simply by filing an appeal unless an explicit stay is requested and the city determines continued operation would not harm the public.
A new provision also makes it unlawful to consume alcohol on the premises of a massage facility unless the premises are properly licensed for alcoholic beverage service (the code text limits the alcohol prohibition to facilities licensed by the Idaho State Liquor Division where appropriate). Council members and staff discussed outreach to licensed spas that sometimes offer “mimosas” or similar refreshments and staff said those operators had been notified of the proposed ordinance changes.
Council adopted the ordinance by roll call vote. Staff and police representatives said the amendments are intended to provide clearer local enforcement options against illicit operations while protecting legitimate businesses and patrons.
