OPERATION REGULATIONS

San Antonio City Code ch. 17, art. II

in effect

San Antonio City Code § 17-3 State license required.

Sec. 17-3. - State license required. All persons engaging in the business of massage therapy as defined in this chapter shall have an establishment and/or individual license as a masseur from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, regardless as to whether the establishment itself is required to have a city permit. (Ord. No. 2019-02-14-0122, § 1, 2-14-19)

San Antonio City Code § 17-4 Display of licenses and permits.

Sec. 17-4. - Display of licenses and permits. The massage establishment shall prominently display its license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration at the entrance to the premises. The massage establishment shall prominently display its City of San Antonio permit, if so required to obtain, at the entrance to the premises. The individual masseur shall display his license issued by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation intended for massage therapy at the entrance to the premises. The massage establishment shall prominently display its certificate of occupancy at the entrance to the premises. (Ord. No. 2019-02-14-0122, § 1, 2-14-19)

San Antonio City Code § 17-5 Hours.

Sec. 17-5. - Hours. No massage business shall be kept open for any purpose between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. (Ord. No. 2019-02-14-0122, § 1, 2-14-19)

San Antonio City Code § 17-6 Entrances, exits.

Sec. 17-6. - Entrances, exits. No massage business shall have any entrance or any exit way providing a direct passageway to any other type of business or residence. (Ord. No. 2019-02-14-0122, § 1, 2-14-19)

San Antonio City Code § 17-7 Residential use prohibited.

Sec. 17-7. - Residential use prohibited. No massage establishment shall be located in a zone other than commercial and shall not be in or used for residential purposes. The zoning unit of the development services department shall inspect for compliance on a regular basis. (Ord. No. 2019-02-14-0122, § 1, 2-14-19)

San Antonio City Code § 17-8 Health and safety.

Sec. 17-8. - Health and safety. All massage establishments operating under the authority of this chapter are declared to be public places, and shall not, during business hours, have the doors to the entrances or exits of such establishments locked or obstructed in any way so as to prevent free ingress and egress of persons; provided, however, such doors may be closed. No metal door, or other solid barrier requiring action on the part of the person in charge to allow entry, shall be installed in front of the passageway to the interior of the massage establishment's area containing massage therapy rooms. All requirements of the International Fire Code, International Building Code, and San Antonio Property Maintenance Code shall be adhered to and inspected on a regular basis. (Ord. No. 2019-02-14-0122, § 1, 2-14-19)

San Antonio City Code § 17-9 Sanitation.

Sec. 17-9. - Sanitation. (a) All premises used pursuant to this chapter shall be periodically inspected during regular business hours for safety of structure and adequacy of plumbing, ventilation, heating and illumination. (b) Floors shall be free from any accumulation of dust, dirt and refuse. Well marked toilet and hand washing facilities for permittees, employees and patrons shall be provided. All walls, ceilings, windows and doors shall be free of dust, dirt, and refuse. In high humidity areas, including toilet rooms, shower rooms, steam rooms, locker rooms, and other such rooms, the walls, ceilings and floors shall be constructed or covered with a material that is smooth, non-absorbent and easily cleaned. (Ord. No. 2019-02-14-0122, § 1, 2-14-19)

San Antonio City Code § 17-10 Towels, cloths, sheets, robes.

Sec. 17-10. - Towels, cloths, sheets, robes. Towels, cloths, sheets, and robes shall not be reused. Each patron shall be provided clean, unused linen, towels, cloths, sheets, and robes. Heavy white paper may be substituted for sheets provided that such paper is changed for every patron. Soiled linens and towels shall be stored in a clearly marked receptacle and shall not be reused prior to laundering. (Ord. No. 2019-02-14-0122, § 1, 2-14-19)

San Antonio City Code § 17-11 Animals prohibited.

Sec. 17-11. - Animals prohibited. No animals, exempting service animals, shall be permitted within a massage establishment at any time. (Ord. No. 2019-02-14-0122, § 1, 2-14-19)

San Antonio City Code § 17-12 Equipment.

Sec. 17-12. - Equipment. All equipment used for the treatment of patrons at establishments regulated by this chapter shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition, and the equipment shall be kept in good working order. (Ord. No. 2019-02-14-0122, § 1, 2-14-19)

Source: City of San Antonio, City Code, City Charter and Unified Development Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/san_antonio/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICO_CH17MABU_ARTIIOPREFetched: 10/27/2026