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Proposed Massage Ordinance Information

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The Santa Barbara Police Department will be amending Chapter 5.76 of the Municipal Code pertaining to the Massage Establishment and Massage Therapist permits. It is the Police Department’s intention to update this page with the most current information regarding the proposed massage ordinance. The information provided on this page will allow the community to stay informed about public meetings and the massage ordinance’s progress.

Sections

Proposed Massage Inspection Form

The Santa Barbara Police Department has developed a proposed massage inspection form that will be used for each scheduled and unscheduled massage establishment inspection. As the Proposed Massage Ordinance continues through the approval process, there is a potential for additional changes to the massage inspection form. Below is a copy of the proposed massage inspection form and the current inspection form used for all massage establishment inspections.

Proposed Massage Ordinance Discussion

Date: Monday, March 16, 2026
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: Louise Lowry Davis Center, 111 W. Victoria St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Description:

The Santa Barbara Police Department will discuss the proposed changes to be submitted at the upcoming City Council Meeting. The Police Department will answer questions and provide additional information. This discussion will be open to the public and will accept any feedback from community members.

Any questions regarding this event can be submitted via email to permits@sbpd.com.

Ordinance Committee

Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM
Location: City Council Chambers, 735 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA  93101

Description:

The Santa Barbara Police Department presented the proposed ordinance changes to the Ordinance Committee on December 16, 2025. Due to the significant number of public comments received, this meeting has been extended to January 13, 2025, to ensure the public has an opportunity to provide further public comments.  

For more information, visit the Ordinance Committee website.

Date: Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM
Location: City Council Chambers, 735 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA  93101

Description:

The City Ordinance Committee reviews and advises the City Council on all ordinances that are adding, amending or repealing sections of the Santa Barbara Municipal Code. The Santa Barbara Police Department will present the proposed Massage Ordinance to the committee, answer questions and provide additional information detailing the increased public safety through the proposed Massage Ordinance. This meeting will be open to the public and will be accepting public comments. Public comments may be submitted via email to ngrisanti@santabarbaraca.gov prior to the beginning of the Ordinance Committee Meeting. All public comments submitted via email will be provided to the Ordinance Committee and will become part of the public record.

For more information, visit the Ordinance Committee website.

 

Fire and Police Commission Special Meeting

Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: City Council Chambers, 735 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA  93101

Description:

The Fire and Police Commission advises the City Council and the City Administrator on all matters relating to efficient and adequate fire and police protection for the city. The Santa Barbara Police Department will present the proposed Massage Ordinance to the commission, answer questions and provide additional information detailing the increased public safety through the proposed Massage Ordinance. This meeting will be open to the public and will be accepting public comments. To submit a comment or question to the commissioners, you may do so by emailing FPCcomments@SantaBarbaraCA.gov. 

 

Public Meeting

Date: Friday, November 14, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: Carrillo Recreation Center Ballroom, 100 E Carrillo St, Santa Barbara, CA  93101

Description:

There will be a public hearing held to discuss the proposed massage ordinance pertaining to Massage Establishment and Massage Therapist permits. This proposed massage ordinance will impact ALL massage therapists and massage establishments operating in the City of Santa Barbara limits. Any person who is interested in learning about the proposed changes that are being presented by the City of Santa Barbara should attend. The Santa Barbara Police Department will have staff available to answer questions during the meeting.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

California Massage Therapy Council

The California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) is the regulatory agency for massage therapists and massage schools. For information regarding their agency, visit http://camtc.org or select the links below to their information page.

Fee Schedule – Massage Therapist Rates & Other Fees.

Massage Therapist Application Information – Requirements to certify as a massage therapist.

California Legislature

The California Legislature enacted the Massage Therapy Act to provide a uniform statewide certification and oversight of massage professionals. The legislature provides regulatory information on massage professionals. The proposed Massage Ordinance was created to comply with the Massage Therapy Act regulations.

Massage Therapy Act – California Legislature link to the Massage Therapy Act, also referred to as Business and Professions Code 4600.