LOS ALAMITOS : Massage-Business Curbs Get 1st OK

New restrictions on massage establishments, including local licensing requirements for all masseuses, were tentatively approved by the City Council on Monday night.

The rules, set for final vote Dec. 26, require all massage technicians to apply for a local license and be subject to a background check.

The revised ordinance is the result of an influx of “acupressure” clinics in the city, which, according to Police Chief James Guess, have been a problem in other areas of the county.

“Typically, they are fronts for prostitution” operations, Guess told the council.

Councilman Ronald Bates asked City Atty. Thomas W. Allen why the city should regulate acupressure clinics, but not acupuncture clinics.

“Unlike acupuncture clinics, there is no state regulation or licensing of acupressure clinics” and practitioners, Allen replied.

He added that the state does allow local agencies to license and check the backgrounds of prospective masseuses.

“We want to be sure that legitimate massage technicians can practice their profession,” Allen said.

The ordinance also would prohibit people from living at massage businesses and would require a licensing fee of $1,000 for each owner and $500 for each additional masseuse.