Garden City narrows where massage parlors may operate; council calls licensing hearing

The Garden City Council on June 22 adopted zoning ordinance amendments that remove therapeutic massage facilities and massage parlors from C1 and C2 commercial districts, permitting them only as a special land use in C3 areas and imposing separation requirements designed to limit concentrations.

Planning consultant Mario Ortega told the council that the planning commission held a May 14 public hearing and recommended the change; no public comments were recorded at that hearing. Ortega said physical therapy facilities that operate under a doctor or licensed health professional will remain permitted and treated as medical offices.

Ortega summarized the proposed location standards: "They would no longer be allowed in C1 or C2. They would only be allowed in C3 and they would have to go through the special land use process," and noted a separation requirement that prevents more than two regulated uses within 1,000 feet of each other.

Mr. Ortega and Community Development Director Mr. Miller also recommended aligning chapter 120 (business licensing) with the zoning changes and with current state licensing procedures; the council set a public hearing for July 13, 2026 at 7 p.m. to consider amendments to chapter 120 to reflect those updates.

Council voted to adopt the zoning amendments and to call the licensing hearing; roll call confirmed the motion passed unanimously.

The ordinance change adjusts local land‑use rules and begins a parallel licensing review process; the July 13 hearing will allow public comment on chapter 120 changes.