New Law Regulates Massage Businesses

Even though the city has no massage businesses, the City Council has passed an ordinance that would strictly regulate any such enterprise that opens.

The new law requires extensive background checks and massage therapy qualifications for therapists, as well as stringent health and business standards.

Sheriff’s Lt. Robert Nesmith, who oversees police services for Lake Forest, said the new ordinance will allow people “to run a legitimate massage business . . . at places like health clubs and doctors’ offices.”

“But is also makes it difficult,” for people to engage in illegal massage activity.”

Under the ordinance, all employees would have to submit names, addresses, fingerprints and photographs. Dress standards specify white, nonrevealing uniforms.