Massage Program

The Massage Program regulates massage establishments and practitioners to ensure that they maintain a safe, sanitary, and lawful work environment.  We issue permits, conduct inspections and respond to complaints regarding unsafe and unsanitary conditions at the massage establishments.

Massage Business and Practitioner Information

All massage business owners of fixed facilities, sole practitioners, and outcall massage service must obtain a Health Permit to Operate.

All massage practitioners must be licensed through SF DPH or certified by the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC).  As of January 2019, SF DPH no longer issues new licenses for Massage Practitioners.  If you are in possession of a SF DPH license prior to January 1, 2019, your license will remain valid, as long as the annual license fee is paid.

All massage businesses and practitioners must operate in accordance with San Francisco Health Code, Article 29.

All permits and annual license fees will be issued by San Francisco’s Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector (TTX).  Permits are valid for one (1) year and must be renewed via yearly license fee billed to the permit holder by TTX. It is your responsibility to notify SF DPH and TTX of any mailing address change. Mailing addresses should be maintained current.

Fee schedule for application and annual fees.

General Massage Establishment Permits

A General Massage Establishment means a fixed place of business where more than one individual administers Massage for Compensation, excluding these locations where Massage is provided only on an outcall basis.

New General Massage Establishments

Click through to the flowchart for an overview of the application process.

1. Contact San Francisco Planning Department to verify the location address is properly zoned for massage use.
2. Register your massage business at TTX.
3. Submit a completed General Massage Establishment Permit Application to SFDPH in person at 49 South Van Ness Ave., Suite 600, SF, 94103.
4. Submit the appropriate, non-refundable application fee, payable by check or money order to SFDPH.  Bounced checks are assessed a $50.00 fee. Credit cards are now accepted at the front desk.
5. Submit a completed Background Check and Clearance Form to the San Francisco Police Department, located at 1245 3rd Street, 5th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94158 – separate application fee made payable in person to SFPD.  CAMTC certificate holders are not required to complete an SFPD background check.

Change-Of-Ownership

Click through to the flowchart for an overview of the change of ownership process.

In addition to following steps #1 through #5 above, applicants seeking to change ownership of an establishment should also note that:

Sole Practitioner Massage Establishment Permits

A Sole Practitioner Massage Establishment means a fixed place of business solely owned by a SF Massage Practitioner permit holder or a CAMTC certified Practitioner, which individual is the only person who provides Massage for Compensation. 

The business location may be shared with one other SF Massage Practitioner or CAMTC Certified Practitioner.  However, the Sole Practitioner Massage Establishment owner and one other Massage Practitioner or CAMTC Certified Practitioner will each hold their own Sole Practitioner Massage Establishment Permit.

1. Contact San Francisco Planning Department to verify the location address is properly zoned for massage services.
2. Register your massage business at TTX.
3. Submit a completed Sole Practitioner Massage Establishment Permit Application to SF DPH in person at 49 South Van Ness Ave., Suite 600, SF, 94103.
4. Submit the appropriate, non-refundable application fee, payable by check or money order to SFDPH.  Bounced checks are assessed a $50.00 fee. Credit cards are now accepted at the front desk.
5. Submit a completed Background Check and Clearance Form to the San Francisco Police Department, located at 1245 3rd Street, 5th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94158– separate application fee made payable in person to SFPD.  CAMTC certificate holders are not required to complete an SFPD background check.

Outcall Massage Permits

Outcall Massage Service means any business other than a Massage Establishment or Sole Practitioner Massage Establishment that provides Massage for Compensation at a location designated by the client rather than on its premises.  Massage service cannot be conducted in the permit holder’s own place of residence.

Click through to the flowchart for an overview of the process to obtain an Outcall Massage Permit.

1. Obtain, or already be in possession of, a CAMTC certificate or SF DPH Massage Practitioner License.
2. Register your massage business at TTX.
3. Submit a completed Outcall Massage Permit Application to SF DPH in person at 49 South Van Ness Ave., Suite 600, SF, 94103.
4. Submit the appropriate, non-refundable application fee, payable by check or money order to SFDPH.  Bounced checks are assessed a $50.00 fee. Credit cards are now accepted at the front desk.
5. Submit a completed Background Check and Clearance Form to the San Francisco Police Department, located at 1245 3rd Street, 5th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94158 – separate application fee made payable in person to SFPD.  CAMTC certificate holders are not required to complete an SFPD background check.

Annual inspection date(s) and location for Outcall Massage permit holders will be scheduled by SF DPH; it is your responsibility to maintain owner/operator contact information current.  At the time of annual inspection, bring all massage equipment for inspection.

Making a Complaint

If you would like to make a complaint regarding a massage establishment, you may report a complaint to the Environmental Health Branch by calling 311.