For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
(a) “Accommodate.” Providing massage to an individual within the confines of a single room.
(b) “Employee.” Any person who renders any service in connection with the operation of a massage parlor, massage school, or other similar business and receives consideration for such services, either from the operator of the establishment or its patrons. Employees include but are not limited to masseur, and the term “employee” includes leased personnel, contractors, and similar employment relationships.
(c) “Licensee.” The person or entity to whom a license has been issued to either operate a massage establishment or to perform massages in the Charter Township of Clinton.
(d) “Massage.” The manipulation of body muscle or tissue through any method of applying pressure on or friction against or stroking, kneading, rubbing, tapping, pounding, vibrating, or stimulating the external soft parts of the body with the hands or with the aid of any mechanical or electrical apparatus or appliance, with or without such supplementary aids such as rubbing alcohol, liniments, antiseptics, oils, powders, creams, lotions, ointments, or other similar preparations commonly used in the practice of massage, under such circumstances that it is reasonably expected that the person providing the massage shall receive consideration therefor.
“Massage” does not include any medical diagnosis, acupuncture or the implementation of a procedure by a person who is licensed as a health care provider in the State of Michigan in good standing such as a physician, registered nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, chiropractic professional, or a licensed barber or cosmetologist.
(e) “Massage establishment.” Any building, room, place, or establishment where massage is practiced for consideration upon the human body by anyone not a duly licensed physician, osteopath, chiropractor, registered nurse, practical nurse operating under a physician’s directions, registered speech pathologist, or physical or occupational therapist who treats only patients recommended by a licensed physician and operates only under such physician’s direction, whether with or without the use of mechanical, therapeutic, or bathing devices. A “massage establishment” shall include but is not limited to massage schools, massage parlors, health spas, spas, sauna baths, Turkish bathhouses, and steam baths, where massage services are offered or practiced. This term shall not include a regularly- licensed hospital, medical clinic, nursing home, or any other medical facilities operated by a State-licensed professional such as chiropractic, physical therapy and occupational therapy offices where massages are provided as incidental or accessory uses to the main use of the premises; it shall not include transient workplace locations during normal business hours where the massage is performed upon employees of the workplace pursuant to a policy of medical insurance or as a benefit provided by the employer as part of a workplace health program; and it shall not include an organization operating a community center, swimming pool, tennis court, or other educational, cultural, recreational, and athletic facilities for the welfare of the residents of the area.
(f) “Masseur.” Any person who engages in the practice of massage who holds a valid license issued by the State.
(g) “Massage therapist/myomassologist.” Any person, male or female, who engages in the practice of massage, myomassology, massage therapy, and/or massology holding a valid State massage license. The term shall be used as the gender-neutral equivalent of masseur and masseuse, and shall include any person who administers to another person an alcohol rub, fomentation, bath, electric, or magnetic massage procedure, manipulation of the body, or other similar procedure.
(h) “Outcall massage service.” Any individual or business that engages in or provides massages at a location designated by the customer, client, or patron, rather than at a massage establishment.
(i) “Owner.” A person who conducts or owns a massage parlor, massage school, or other similar business.
(j) “Patron.” Any individual who receives a massage at a massage parlor, massage school, or other massage establishment, but not physical therapy or chiropractic services at the offices of a properly licensed health care professional, under such circumstances that it is reasonably expected that he or she shall provide consideration therefor.
(k) “Township.” The Charter Township of Clinton.
(Ord. 376. Passed 6-16-08; Ord. 423. Passed 6-13-16.)