Commission seeks to align massage-therapy zoning with state licensing rules

The Planning Commission reviewed proposed changes to how massage therapy, therapeutic massage and physical therapy are treated in the zoning code and sought tighter alignment with state licensing rules.

Staff explained the draft distinguishes between state-licensed therapeutic massage/physical therapy — which would be permitted in commercial districts — and unlicensed ‘massage services,’ which would be treated as regulated uses requiring special approval in the C-3 district. Staff said the regulated-use approach would require demonstration of neighborhood support (a majority of adjacent business/property owners) and setbacks similar to other regulated uses.

Commissioners questioned a phrase in the draft that used a broad “but not limited to” list of service examples and recommended tightening the language so the ordinance specifically references state-law categories; staff agreed such wording could be revised. The commission did not adopt an ordinance at this meeting but directed staff to revise the definitions and make clear which therapies require state licensure and which fall under regulated-use procedures.