(a) For the purpose of this chapter, unless the context clearly requires a different meaning, the words, terms and phrases set forth in this section shall have the meanings given them in this section:
(1) “Massage” means any method of pressure on, or friction against, or stroking, kneading, rubbing, tapping, pounding, vibrating or stimulating the external parts of the human body with the hands or with the aid of any mechanical or electrical apparatus, or other appliances or devices, with or without such supplementary aids as rubbing alcohol, liniment, antiseptic, oil, powder, cream, lotion, ointment or other similar preparations.
(2) “Massage technician” means any person who administers massages, baths or health treatments involving massage or baths as the principal functions to another person for any consideration whatsoever.
(3) “Massage technician trainee” means a student who works in a massage establishment under the supervision and direction of a massage technician who has received a permit issued under the provisions of this chapter.
(4) “Massage establishment” means any establishment with more than one massage technician having a fixed place of business where any, firm, association, partnership, corporation, joint venture or combination of individuals engages in, conducts, carries on or permits to be engaged in, conducted or carried on massages, baths or health treatments involving massage or baths, where massage is part of primary function of the business.
(5) “Sole Proprietor Massage establishment” means any owner-operated establishment having a fixed place of business where an individual, carries on or permits to be engaged in, conducted or carried on massages, baths or health treatments involving
massage or baths as the principal functions.
(6) “Recognized school of massage” means any school or institution of learning which teaches the theory, ethics, practice, profession and work of massage. The student shall possess a diploma or certificate of graduation from such school or institution of learning following the successful completion of such course of study or learning, and which school has been approved pursuant to California Education Code Section 29025, or, if said school is not located in California, has complied with standards commensurate with those required in said Section 29025. Any school or institution of learning offering or allowing correspondence course credit not requiring actual attendance at class, or courses of a massage technician not approved by the California State Department of Education shall not be deemed a "recognized school of massage."
(7) “Reflexology”. Reflexology is the application of specific pressure by the use of the practitioner's hands, thumb, and fingers to reflex points in the client's hands, feet, or ears using alternating pressure, and such techniques as thumb walking, finger walking, hook and back up, and rotation on a reflex.
(8) “Permit” means the permit to engage in the activities of a massage technician or a massage technician trainee as required by this chapter.
(9) “Person” means any individual, firm, association, partnership, corporation, joint venture or combination of individuals.
(10) “California Massage Therapy Council” (CAMTC) means the governing nonprofit board that is authorized to evaluate qualifications of massage therapists and issue certification in the State of California.
(11) “Accessory Technician Permit”. A technician who is not a sole proprietorship may be eligible to receive an accessory technician permit. This permit will allow massage to be conducted within a business that is not a massage establishment, provided the following requirements are met:
(A) The technician must provide the police department with sufficient evidence to demonstrate that he or she is an independent contractor or an employee of the business.
(B) The business is not in the regular business of providing massage.
(C) The technician must obtain a massage technician permit as required by section 4.54.060 of this code.
(12) “Noncertified massage practitioner”. A massage practitioner who performs massage in an open and common room without partitions, and the individual in receipt of the massage remains fully clothed and does not disrobe except below the knee. A noncertified practitioner must: (1) apply for and obtain a noncertified practitioner certificate; and (2) post the noncertified practitioner certificate in a conspicuous place in such a manner that it can be easily seen by persons entering the establishment.
(13) “Noncertified massage establishment permit”. A massage establishment permit issued to an establishment at which all the massage practitioners are noncertified practitioners. The same requirements applicable to massage establishment permits are applicable to noncertified massage establishment permits.
(Ord. 5161 § 2, 2012: Ord. 2833 § 1 (part), 1974)