Massage

Massage Services

Interested in starting a massage business in Redwood City? The City of Redwood City has adopted regulations for massage business under Chapter 18A – Massage Services of the Municipal Code. These regulations help ensure massage businesses operate safely, legally, and meet health and safety standards.

See Section 18A.9 for exemptions associated with licensed professionals and massages administered during athletic events.

These regulations also establish a process for registering a massage business within Redwood City. The process includes review by two primary departments: Police Department and Community Development Department.

Certificate of Registration Process

Before signing a lease, determine if a massage business is permitted at the proposed location. You may visit Redwood City’s GIS page, to confirm the property’s Zoning designation and permitted uses.  For questions, you may contact a Planner at (650) 780-7234 or planning@redwoodcity.org. 

Prior to starting a massage business in Redwood City, you must complete the following registration process:

• Apply for an H-Permit with the Building Division. To apply, submit an application online through eTRAKiT under “Building/ Fire Permits” and select “HEALTH OFFICER” under Permit Type and complete the form.
  • Prior to the issuance of an H-Permit, the Planning Division will confirm the subject site is zoned for massage use (“Personal Service, General”) and a written Zoning Consistency Check will be uploaded to eTrakiT.
  •  Once your H-Permit has been issued, visit eTRAKiT to schedule an inspection under “Inspections”. The Certificate of Compliance linked here, will be used during your inspection and provided to you upon completion.
• After your final inspection from the Health Officer is approved, submit a completed Massage Business Certificate of Registration Application, Zoning Consistency Check letter, and Certificate of Compliance to the Police Department.
• Once approved, you will receive a Certificate of Registration for your business. Applicants who are CAMTC certified will not require additional Live Scan fingerprinting/background checks and may drop off the paperwork without an appointment.

Live Scan

Applicants and any person who has a five percent (5%) or greater ownership interest in said business, who are not CAMTC certified, will each have Live Scan Fingerprinting/background checks conducted by the Police Department.

Please call (650) 780-7100 to schedule an appointment to drop off your paperwork and be fingerprinted. The Police Department will require the owner/applicant of a Certified Sole Proprietorship or a Certified Massage Business to produce a valid and current driver's license and/or identification card issued by a state or federal governmental agency or other photographic identification bearing a bona fide seal by a foreign government.

Upon receipt of a valid Certificate of Registration from the Police Department, you must obtain a Business License from Redwood City’s Revenue Services. Registration instructions for a new business license may be found here. When prompted, please upload a copy of your Certificate of Registration for review. No business license shall be issued without proof of a Certificate of Registration.