A. For a massage establishment: before a permit under this chapter is issued, the City Columbus Board of Public Works and Safety, or its designee, shall investigate the character of the applicant or the officers, directors and managers of the business if the applicant is a business. The board of public works and safety may deny a permit application based on the following grounds:
1. The applicant, if an individual, or in the case of a corporation, any of its manager(s), officer(s), director(s) or stockholder(s), within the five years preceding the application date, have been convicted of an offense concerning an act of violence, moral turpitude, and/or a sex offense including but not limited to prostitution or public indecency involving the act of touching oneself or another in a sexual manner or prior violation of this chapter, all of which would make the applicant ineligible to re-apply for a permit for five years.
2. The applicant has within the five years preceding the application date:
a. Voluntarily surrendered any license or permit to administer massage therapy; or
b. Voluntarily surrendered any license or permit to operate a massage establishment; or
c. Had a license or permit to administer massage therapy, or operate a massage establishment denied or revoked by a political subdivision for an act that occurred in that jurisdiction that would constitute a violation of this chapter.
3. The applicant has made any false, misleading or fraudulent statement of fact in the permit application or any document required by the city in connection therewith.
5. The premises sought to be permitted fail to comply in any manner with any applicable laws or ordinances.
6. The applicant has failed to obtain any license that is required by state law.
B. For a masseuse masseur, or massage therapist: before a permit under this chapter is issued, the Columbus Board of Public Works and Safety, or its designee, shall investigate the character of the applicant. The Board of Public Works and Safety may deny a permit application based on the grounds listed in Section 5.24.050(A).
C. This section shall not limit causes for denial but shall be in addition to other causes for denial found by the Board of Public Works and Safety or provided by this chapter.
D. The Columbus Board of Public Works and Safety shall notify the applicant in writing of the denial of an establishment permit or an employee/independent contractor permit. Any applicant denied a permit or a renewal thereof by the Columbus Board of Public Works and Safety may, within fifteen days after the application is denied, appeal the Board's decision in the manner set out in Section 5.24.110. If the applicant fails to file an appeal within fifteen days the decision of the board, the board's denial will become final. Any applicant denied a permit shall be entitled to a refund of the permit fee paid to the city controller. (Ord. 33-2023, 2023; Ord. 6-2012, 2012)