ATTENTION:  An inspection will be conducted for ALL new and renewal massage establishments in order to obtain a Massage Establishment Owner Permit. It is the responsibility of the Massage Establishment Owner to be aware of the Article 22, Section 2, Title 9 of the Costa Mesa Municipal Code, which can be found on the City of Costa Mesa’s website at www.costamesaca.gov.

Pursuant to CMMC 9-338(a) and 9-338(b), the police department has the right to enter massage establishments at any time during business hours to conduct inspections, and to detain and identify all employees.

The City of Costa Mesa is authorized, by virtue of the Constitution of the State of California, and section 51031 of the California Government Code, to regulate massage establishments by imposing reasonable standards relative to the skill and experience of massage owners and massage therapist or practitioners and imposing reasonable conditions on the operation of the massage establishment.

• All individuals practicing massage for compensation within the City must be a Certified Massage Therapist holding a current and valid certificate issued by the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC).
• All massage establishments within the City must obtain an Operator Permit from the Chief of Police. Operator Permits are valid for One year and are non-transferrable. Operator Permits will not be issued until the establishment has first secured the necessary business license and planning permit  from the City of Costa Mesa (may be applied for concurrently).     
• All massage establishments must abide by applicable health and safety requirements and submit to inspections by the Costa Mesa Police Department.

How to Obtain an Owner Permit

• Obtain or renew business license on TESSA
• Download the Massage Establishment Permit Application and/or download Therapist Form, fill out and bring with you to the front desk of the Costa Mesa Police Department.
• New Owner Checklist
• Renewal Checklist

Owner Permit applicants who do not possess a CAMTC certificate are required to be fingerprinted and submit to a background check.  An additional fingerprint fee of $49 will be required with your application.  Live scan will take place at the Costa Mesa Police Department.  For an appointment, please contact Dianne Artiglio at DArtiglio@costamesaca.gov or visit Live Scan page.