Lake Forest extends moratorium on new massage businesses for six months amid legal and business concerns

The Lake Forest City Council voted unanimously on July 21 to adopt a six‑month extension of its temporary moratorium on new massage establishments to allow staff more time for stakeholder outreach and to finalize proposed regulatory and zoning amendments.

City staff, represented by Assistant Director of Community Development Amy Stoneage, told the council the moratorium—first adopted in August 2025 and extended once in September 2025—pauses approvals for new or unlicensed massage establishments while staff completes outreach and drafts clearer licensing and enforcement standards. Stoneage said the current moratorium "does not shut down or restrict existing lawful massage businesses" and that staff had contacted roughly 60 massage and personal‑care businesses and received 12 written survey responses while posting a draft ordinance for public comment.

The moratorium extension drew vocal input from business owners and a critic with legal objections. Sherry Weldon, who identified herself as an owner and practitioner of holistic health services, said the ongoing uncertainty is harming established professional businesses and asked the council to “provide clarity for long established professional massage businesses before extending this moratorium yet again.” Sarah Oliva, a CAMTC‑certified massage therapist and sole owner of Le Chateau Enchante des Spa, said she supports efforts to combat trafficking but argued that "legitimate massage therapists are being unfairly targeted" and that prolonged restrictions have forced some practitioners out of operation.

Opponents raised legal concerns during public comment. Brian McMillan argued the state standard cited for urgency ordinances requires a "current and immediate threat to public health or safety," and he said staff reports did not show recent incidents; he told the council that the staff report cites incidents from 2022–2024 and that nothing from 2025 or 2026 demonstrates an immediate threat.

City Attorney (addressing the council) said police reports and complaints involving instances of prostitution—including undercover incidents referenced in staff materials—were among the factors that prompted the moratorium and that code enforcement and sheriff's investigations are ongoing. Council members pressed staff on outreach and asked whether the moratorium would affect existing permitted businesses; staff and the city attorney twice confirmed that lawfully operating establishments may continue to operate and may submit applications that cannot be approved until the moratorium expires or the council acts to end it earlier.

After council discussion and questions about survey response rates, enforcement scope, and possible ordinance content (including whether day‑spas and other personal‑care businesses would be regulated), Councilmember Servo moved to adopt the staff recommendation to extend the urgency ordinance; the motion passed unanimously.

The extension authorizes the moratorium through Feb. 18, 2027, but staff told the council it could bring a draft ordinance to the council earlier and the council could end the moratorium the same night it votes to repeal or replace it. Staff said their objectives are to strengthen public‑health and safety protections, provide clearer enforcement and abatement tools, and reduce opportunities for illicit activity while preserving lawful operations.

The council closed the hearing and adopted the extension; no specific ordinance text was adopted that night beyond the urgency extension. Staff said they will continue outreach and report back with refined regulatory standards and proposed code amendments.