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Council introduces county-model massage business ordinance, citing public-safety and certification requirements
Summary
Menlo Park introduced and waived first reading of an ordinance (Chapter 5.80) to regulate massage businesses, require CAMTC certification and set sanitation and operational standards; staff noted CAMTC continues DOJ-based processing despite an FBI background-check pause.
The Menlo Park City Council introduced and waived the first reading of an ordinance on April 14 that would add Chapter 5.80 to the Menlo Park Municipal Code to regulate massage businesses, require certified practitioners and establish sanitation and operational standards.
Police Commander Tony Dixon presented a county model ordinance that jurisdictions in San Mateo County have adopted to provide clearer operational standards, hearing and appeal rules and to restrict transfers during penalties. Key provisions require that individuals practicing massage therapy for compensation be certified by the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) and that businesses employ only CAMTC‑certified practitioners and obtain a city registration certificate. The ordinance aims to protect public health and discourage illicit activity conducted under the guise of massage therapy.
Councilmembers asked about the CAMTC background‑check process after the Federal Bureau of Investigation paused its portion of fingerprint checks; Dixon said CAMTC continues to issue certifications based on DOJ (California) checks and is processing applications under current rules. The council voted to introduce and waive first reading of the ordinance by unanimous roll call (Combs, Taylor, Schmidt, Wise, Nash).
Why it matters: The ordinance harmonizes Menlo Park rules with a county model to clarify inspections, certification requirements, and operating standards for massage businesses, aiming to improve public health protections and enforce professional certification requirements.
What’s next: The ordinance was introduced and the first reading waived; subsequent readings and adoption steps will follow per municipal code and scheduling.
