12-17-2025 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Little Canada’s licensing provisions, found in Chapters 2202 and 2203, were written to regulate traditional massage therapy businesses and narrowly define massage activity, resulting in ambiguity surrounding other CAHC and practices involving physical touch. The City’s existing ordinance includes performance standards for massage establishments, such as hours of operation, practitioner qualifications, rules around security, and general decorum in the practice. The ordinance establishes a cap of three (3) such establishments citywide. Staff believe it is prudent to clarify how the city regulates touch-based CAHC practices and other similar touch-based services that are not traditional massage therapy, but pose similar questions and concerns of public safety and wellbeing. The City Council discussed this issue at their November 12, 2025, Workshop meeting and provided staff with direction for updating the City’s standards. Why Cities Regulate Touch-Based Wellness and Therapeutic Practices: Cities regulate massage establishments and similar touch-based services for several reasons directly tied to public health, safety, and welfare. First, these practices create inherent client and practitioner vulnerabilities. Services often occur in private rooms, may involve partial disrobing, or may involve individuals who are emotionally, mentally, or physically vulnerable. These conditions elevate risks of misconduct, exploitation, boundary violations, or unsafe interactions. Operational standards such as restricted hours, no locks on interior doors, inspection access, required coverings, and prohibitions on beds or sleeping equipment are widely used to mitigate these risks and maintain a safe, professional environment. Second, massage-related businesses have historically been used as fronts for unlawful activity nationwide. Establishing parallel performance standards for all touch-based practices ensures that operators prone to the same concerns and risks are equitably regulated and subject to the same level of oversight. This approach provides regulatory clarity by applying consistent oversight to all touch- based services that present comparable operational and enforcement considerations. Third, touch-based services can involve prolonged physical contact in enclosed settings, which creates health and sanitation concerns. Requirements related to compliance with building and health codes, sanitation expectations, prohibition of drugs and alcohol, and the City’s and County’s authority to inspect premises support the maintenance of public health standards. While some conduct standards appear in §146A or in other laws, local licensing provides the City with a direct and effective oversight and enforcement mechanisms. Without a local license, the City must wait for State, County, or Sheriff intervention and would have a limited set of tools to respond even after misconduct is identified. Local licensing allows the City to act independently and decisively against establishments engaging in unsafe, illicit, or non-therapeutic behavior, including suspending or revoking their ability to operate. This gives the City a proactive means of safeguarding public health, safety, and welfare rather than relying solely on external agencies to address problems after they occur. Proposed Ordinance: Ordinance 921 makes minor amendments to the existing standards outlined in Chapters 2202 and 2203 to clarify regulatory treatment of non-massage touch-based practices. 1. New Definitions Instead of broadening “massage,” the ordinance creates a distinct category for CAHC practices that involve purposeful, non-incidental touch for therapeutic, relaxation, comfort,