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West Sacramento updates massage‑business rules, requires CAMTC certification and new city permit
Summary
The council adopted first reading of ordinance 26‑3 to modernize chapter 5.12: the update requires CAMTC certification for practitioners, a city massage business permit, inspections and an eight‑month compliance transition for existing businesses.
The West Sacramento City Council on March 18 advanced an update to local regulations for massage businesses, repealing and reenacting chapter 5.12 of the municipal code and establishing a new business permit and inspection regime.
Katie Rogers, a senior analyst with Community Development, told the council the ordinance is intended to modernize outdated language, align local rules with the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) certification framework, and create clear operational standards. The proposed rules require practitioners to hold CAMTC certification, require massage establishments to obtain a city massage business permit (in addition to a standard business license), and establish sanitation, recordkeeping and signage requirements. Staff said a planned inspection program — modeled on the city’s motel/hotel inspection program — will verify ongoing compliance.
Staff described an amortization schedule for existing massage businesses: businesses with a valid business license on the ordinance’s effective date would have an initial application window and an eight‑month transition during which practitioners must complete training and obtain CAMTC certification; at the end of the period staff said all practitioners must be certified.
On public comment, Nita Musing urged staff to use the term 'massage therapy businesses' rather than 'massage parlors' and asked that future materials be published in Mandarin; staff acknowledged that change requests and translation needs were considered. Guy Stevenson reiterated concerns about illegal activity and human trafficking connected to some establishments and urged stronger enforcement. Staff clarified the $3,000 figure in the fee schedule is a deposit to cover anticipated staff time for review and is refundable to the extent actual staff time is less.
Council voted to adopt the ordinance by roll call (first reading) after asking how enforcement and inspections would be coordinated with police in instances where criminal activity is suspected. Staff said code enforcement will conduct periodic inspections and will coordinate with police when evidence of criminal conduct emerges. The CAMTC provided a letter in support and staff said outreach included on‑site visits to existing businesses and a May 22, 2025 community meeting (with Mandarin and Spanish translation).
