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Committee forwards proposed ordinance to curb illicit massage businesses to public hearing
Summary
The committee voted to forward a proposed city ordinance (33-page draft) designed to assist police investigations of illicit massage businesses. The draft requires conspicuous state licensing, limits hours to 6 a.m.–10 p.m., bans locked front doors during business hours and discourages cash‑only operations; enforcement would rely on police and existing civil infraction mechanisms.
City staff presented a proposed chapter adding targeted tools to help police detect and prosecute illicit massage operations in Federal Way. The ordinance tracks state licensing requirements for massage practitioners and adds local compliance measures aimed at criminal enterprises rather than legitimate businesses.
Key features of the draft include:
- Requirement that owners and practitioners display valid state licenses conspicuously for verification; owners/managers must ensure staff are properly licensed. - Prohibition on internal warning systems intended to alert staff to police presence (the ordinance does not prohibit routine alarm/ADT systems aimed at safety). - Limits on hours of operation (6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) and a prohibition on locking the front door during business hours. - Discouragement of cash‑only operations; civil penalty scheme tied to existing municipal code (chapter 1.15) with graduated daily fines for repeat violations.
Police and council members discussed enforcement realities: officers typically investigate illicit massage businesses through surveillance and complaint‑driven operations and would use the new local tools to corroborate undercover findings and obtain warrants when warranted. The committee voted to forward the ordinance to a public hearing and first reading on April 21, 2026.
Next steps: the ordinance will be placed on the April 21 council agenda for public hearing and first reading; staff and police expect complaint‑driven enforcement and coordination with state licensing authorities where appropriate.
