For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
APPLICANT. Any person applying for a permit to operate or conduct a massage business and includes all partners in a partnership and all stockholders of a corporation.
LICENSE. The license that confers permission to a person to engage in massage therapy shall be issued by the Iowa Board of Massage Therapy for State of Iowa in accordance with Iowa Code Chapter 152C.
MASSAGE PATRON. Any person who receives or pays to receive a massage or massage services from a massage technician for value.
MASSAGE THERAPIST. Any person who is licensed to practice and engages in the business of performing massage services for value, on or for other persons by use of any or all of the treatments, techniques or methods of treatment referred to in the definition of massage therapy located above.
MASSAGE THERAPY. Performance for compensation of massage, myotherapy, massotherapy, bodywork therapy, or therapeutic massage including hydrotherapy, superficial hot and cold applications, vibration and topical applications, or other therapy which involves manipulation of the muscle and connective tissue of the body, excluding osseous tissue, to treat the muscle tonus system for the purpose of enhancing health, muscle relaxation, increasing range of motion, reducing stress, relieving pain, or improving circulation.
MASSAGE THERAPY BUSINESS. Any place of business wherein any of the treatments, techniques or methods of treatment referred to in the definition of massage therapy located above are administered, practiced, used, given or applied whether incorporated, sole proprietorship, or in other legally recognized form.
PERMIT. Permission granted by competent authority to exercise a certain privilege that, without such authorization, would constitute an illegal act. Massage therapy business permits shall be issued by the city in accordance with this chapter.
PERSON OF GOOD MORAL CHARACTER. Any person who meets all of the following requirements:
(1) Has financial standing and good reputation as will satisfy the city that he or she will comply with this chapter and all laws, ordinances and regulations applicable to any operations under this chapter;
(2) Not held a permit under this chapter which has been revoked during the year last preceding the date of application; and
(3) Has not been convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude. However, if this conviction of a felony occurred more than five years before the date of the application for a permit, and if the applicant’s rights of citizenship have been restored by the Governor, the city may determine that the person is a person of good moral character notwithstanding the conviction.
REFLEXOLOGY. Manipulation of the soft tissues of the human body which is restricted to the hands, feet, or ears, performed by persons who do not hold themselves out to be massage therapists or to be performing massage therapy.
(1999 Code, § 125.02) (Ord. 2586, passed 7-10-2018; Ord. 2603, passed 3-12-2019)