Chapter 7.32
MASSAGE PARLORS AND PUBLIC BATHHOUSES
Sections:
7.32.010 Purpose and scope of chapter.
7.32.020 Definitions.
7.32.030 Exceptions.
7.32.040 Massage parlor or public bathhouse—License required—Fee.
7.32.050 Inspection of premises.
7.32.060 Employment of person under eighteen years unlawful.
7.32.070 Advertising without license unlawful.
7.32.080 Unlawful activities.
7.32.090 Business hours.
7.32.140 Expiration of licenses.
7.32.150 Liability insurance—Required.
7.32.010 Purpose and scope of chapter.
It is the purpose of this chapter to establish standards for the licensing of massage parlors and public bathhouses within the city and to proscribe activities which may be detrimental to the public health, welfare and safety of the citizens of the city, and to set forth licensing fees and penalties relative to the operation of the activities. (Ord. 2842 § 1, 1984: Ord. 2105 § 1, 1970)
7.32.020 Definitions.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms, words and phrases shall have the following meanings:
(1) “Massage” has its ordinary meaning and means and includes massage therapy or external manipulation of another person or pressure of soft tissue or movements by vibration or manual means with or without the aids of heat, cold or water.
(2) “Massage parlor” means any place where massages or other treatment to the body of another by rubbing, kneading, hitting or any other manipulation are given or furnished.
(3) “Massage practitioner” means a person engaged in the practice of massage and also means massage operator, masseur, or masseuse.
(4) “Person” means any individual, or any firm, partner-association, corporation, company or organization of any kind.
(5) “Public bathhouse” means any place where baths or facilities for baths of any kind whatever are given or furnished and the term includes but is not limited to: hot tubs, spas, Finnish baths, Russian baths, sauna baths, Swedish baths, Turkish baths, baths by hot air, steam, water vapor or electric cabinet; provided, that such term does not include ordinary tub or shower baths where an attendant is not required or furnished. (Ord. 3039 § 1, 1987; Ord. 2842 § 2, 1984: Ord. 2105 § 1, 1970)
7.32.030 Exceptions.
This chapter does not apply to massage treatments or baths given in a family home where only members of the family are treated, or to massage treatments or baths given by a licensed masseur in any hospital or licensed medical facility, or by physical therapists, physicians or by any person, including chiropractors licensed by the state of Washington to treat the sick, injured or infirm, or by any physical therapist or nurse under the direction or written prescription of a person so licensed; or to a person whose actions are pursuant to their valid state massage license; or to the portion of any premises presently utilized only for actions which come within Chapter 18.108 RCW (Massage Practitioner). (Ord. 3273 § 2, 1991: Ord. 2842 § 3, 1984: Ord. 2105 § 3, 1970)
7.32.040 Massage parlor or public bathhouse—License required—Fee.
(a) It is unlawful to conduct, operate or maintain a massage parlor or public bathhouse unless such establishment or premises is licensed by the city. The licenses and related fees required by this chapter are in addition to the business license that may be required under Chapter 7.02. The application, issuance, renewal, and revocation of such licenses shall be governed by Sections 7.20.030, 7.20.040 and 7.20.080.
(b) The fee for a massage parlor license or public bathhouse shall be and is hereby fixed in the sum of seventy-five dollars per year. (Ord. 4658 § 20, 2018: Ord. 2105 § 4, 1970)
7.32.050 Inspection of premises.
Any massage parlor or public bathhouse as licensed herein shall be at all times open to inspection as to health, sanitary and public safety conditions by the city and the Seattle-King County health department. All doors in such premises, excluding doors in office and storage rooms, shall be so equipped that they may be opened to provide immediate access by such authorities upon lawful request. (Ord. 2842 § 4, 1984: Ord. 2105 § 5, 1970)
7.32.060 Employment of persons under eighteen years unlawful.
It is unlawful for the owner, proprietor, manager or person in charge of any massage parlor or public bathhouse to employ in such establishment any person who is under eighteen years of age or who has within one year forfeited bail or within three years of such employment been convicted of a felony or a violation of this chapter. (Ord. 2842 § 5, 1984: Ord. 2105 § 6, 1970)
7.32.070 Advertising without license unlawful.
It is unlawful to advertise the giving of massage treatments or public baths by a person or in an establishment not licensed or otherwise qualified pursuant to this chapter. (Ord. 2105 § 7, 1970)
7.32.080 Unlawful activities.
It is unlawful for the owner, proprietor, manager or person in charge of any massage parlor or public bathhouse, or for any employee of the establishment, to knowingly:
(1) Harbor, admit, receive or permit to be or remain in or about such premises, any person under the influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotic drugs or other controlled substances, or any person whose conduct threatens the immediate physical health or safety of any other person lawfully present in the establishment;
(2) Permit, allow or authorize any activity or course of conduct in the establishment in violation of Chapter 9A.88 RCW and Kirkland Municipal Code Chapter 11.20 relating to lewd and unlawful public exposure and prostitution. (Ord. 4334 § 4, 2011: Ord. 2842 § 6, 1984: Ord. 2105 § 8, 1970)
7.32.090 Business hours.
No massage parlor or public bathhouse shall be allowed to conduct business after the hour of twelve p.m. or prior to the hour of eight a.m. Lighting in all areas used by the public shall be sufficiently bright during business hours. (Ord. 2105 § 9, 1970)
7.32.140 Expiration of licenses.
All licenses issued or renewed pursuant to this chapter shall expire on the thirty-first day of December of each calendar year. No license shall be renewed nor reissued to any licensee or other person who has been previously convicted of a violation of any provision of this chapter within three years of the date of application for license renewal or reissuance or who within one year thereof has forfeited bail on such an offense or violation. (Ord. 2842 § 7, 1984: Ord. 2105 § 14, 1970)
7.32.150 Liability insurance—Required.
Every massage parlor and every public bathhouse shall at all times maintain general public liability insurance through a carrier or underwriter authorized to do business as such within the state of Washington. Such public liability insurance shall be maintained with limits of not less than five hundred thousand dollars combined single limit personal injury and property damage. A certificate of such insurance shall be filed with the city before any license shall issue. Such certificate shall evidence the existence, terms and conditions of the insurance, including a provision that such insurance shall not be canceled or renewed, nor shall the terms or conditions thereof be altered or amended without giving sixty days’ written notice to the city. (Ord. 2842 § 9, 1984)