Santa Maria proposing stricter regulations for massage businesses - KSBY San Luis Obispo News

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Santa Maria city leaders are proposing stricter regulations for massage businesses.

Currently, there is a city ordinance in place regulating those businesses, but the city wants to update it and make it harder for illegal activity to occur.

Owner of Healing Hands Massage, Laray, has years of experience, and with an established practice, she is in favor of new regulations.

“I think it’s good for the city, I think it’s a good thing for the community, I think it’s been a long time coming,” Laray said.

The proposed ordinance would require all massage therapists to be licensed by the California Massage Therapy Council or already have a valid city-issued license.

Each business as a whole will also need to apply for and obtain a City Registration Certificate.

“Registration as for detailed information about owners, managers and the person at the business that will be providing massage,” said Philip Sinco, City Attorney.

If the ordinance is approved, each massage therapist will be required to show proof of at least 500 hours of massage instruction, and all massage businesses will have operating requirements, including:

• Operating only between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.
• During hours of operation, all external doors must remain unlocked and windows cannot be covered or block the view into the building

“If the restrictions are stricter, then people are going to feel more comfortable going to these places,” said Kathy Camacho, Santa Maria resident.

City officials are hoping that by setting guidelines and making rules more strict, it will help eliminate potential prostitution.

“We are hoping that we will have the tools now to be able to stop those businesses once they start or prevent them from locating here because of the regulation that will be required and posed on them,” Sinco added.

There are currently 73 massage businesses licensed by the city and each was invited to attend a meeting at which they could voice their opinion on the proposed changes.

The Santa Maria City Council will introduce the first reading of the ordinance at its meeting on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.

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