City strengthens ordinance regarding massage businesses

By Doug Spoon, Editor

The Menifee City Council on Wednesday replaced a city ordinance regarding massage businesses with a more comprehensive ordinance, further restricting activity at such establishments.

The City of Menifee has five massage businesses currently operating, said Menifee Police Captain Dave Gutierrez. The Menifee Police Department has shut down five others since the department’s inception in July 2020.

The new ordinance, which passed unanimously, changes the hours of operations from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. The ordinance also:

-- Added a prohibition against selling, giving away, dispensing, providing, or preparing any alcoholic beverages or food.

-- Added additional language requiring patrons to be properly draped along with a prohibition against sleeping beds being on site.

-- Added a prohibition against open flames.

-- Clarified a specific prohibition against sexual activity and locking massage room doors.

-- Added a requirement for there to be a list of services and prices posted in an open and conspicuous place on the premises, and a prohibition against doing any other services than those listed.

-- Added some clarification and more specific language related to a massage therapist’s attire.

-- Stated that a massage business shall notify the Finance Department within 10 days of any new therapist’s employment including providing proof of California Massage Therapy Council (CMTC) certification.