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IN GENERAL

Norfolk City Code ch. 21, art. I
in effect

Norfolk City Code § 21-1 Definitions.

Sec. 21-1. - Definitions. For the purposes of this chapter, certain words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed to them by this section: Director: The director of public health of the city or his duly authorized agent. Health parlor: Any place, establishment or institution which provides one or more of the following services at such establishment or on a house call basis: physical massage of the body of another, steambath, hot box, electrical, mechanical or chemical magnetic bath, and/or stimulation exercises. Health parlor operator: A health parlor operator is the owner, assignee, agent, contractor, employee, individual, officer of a firm, company, corporation, association, club, institution or any other person or entity operating a health parlor. Massage therapy: The treatment of soft tissues for therapeutic purposes by the application of massage and bodywork techniques based on the manipulation, or application of pressure to the muscular structure of soft tissues of the human body. The terms "massage therapy" and "therapeutic massage" do not include the diagnosis or treatment of illness or disease or any service or procedure for which a license to practice medicine, nursing, chiropractic therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, acupuncture, or podiatry is required by law. Masseur; masseuse; massage therapist: A person who practices or administers one or more of the acts of body massage, either by hand, towel or mechanical apparatus, oil rubs, corrective gymnastics, mechanotherapy, including color therapy, dietetics, hot packs, cabinet, tub, shower, sitz bath, vapor, steam or any other special bath. (1) Masseurs and masseuses shall provide proof of successful completion of a minimum of two hundred (200) hours of training in massage therapy from a school accredited by the Board of Education. Masseurs and masseuses possessing a valid health certificate prior to the adoption of this chapter shall be granted one year from the adoption of this chapter to comply with its training requirements. (2) After July 1, 1997, massage therapists shall be certified by the Board of Nursing and meet all requirements for certification set by the Board of Nursing. For the purposes of this section, the following are excluded: (1) Personnel working in hospitals, nursing homes, medical clinics, rehabilitation centers, the offices or quarters of a licensed physician, surgeon, osteopath, chiropractor, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse or licensed registered physical therapist; or (2) Personnel of barber shops or beauty parlors, when such massage is confined to the scalp, head, face or neck of the recipient of services; or (3) Members of the recipients family. (Ord. No. 38,552, § 1, 10-29-96)

Norfolk City Code § 21-2 Regulations of director of public health to implement chapter.

Sec. 21-2. - Regulations of director of public health to implement chapter. This simplifies the code amendment process by giving the director of public health authority to make reasonable changes to the code after approval of council. (Ord. No. 38,552, § 1, 10-29-96)

Norfolk City Code § 21-3 Violations of chapter.

Sec. 21-3. - Violations of chapter. (a) Any person who violates any provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. (b) Any employee who shall accept any employment in any health parlor in order to perform the duties of a masseur, masseuse, or massage therapist in violation of this chapter shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. Each day of employment shall constitute a separate offense and any touching of another person with the intention of performing the duties of a masseur or masseuse or massage therapist in violation of this chapter shall constitute a separate offense as to each person touched. (Ord. No. 38,552, § 1, 10-29-96)

Norfolk City Code § 21-4 General maintenance requirements.

Sec. 21-4. - General maintenance requirements. (a) The premises of all health parlors shall be maintained in a clean condition and free of litter, rubbish, refuse or any material which affords development or harborage places for rats, mosquitoes or other vermin. (b) All walls, ceilings, floors, pools, showers, bathtubs, steam rooms, toilet rooms lavatories, sinks and all other physical facilities in a health parlor shall be in good repair and maintained in a clean condition. Wet and dry steam rooms and steam or vapor rooms shall be thoroughly cleaned each day the business is operated. Portable basins and bathtubs shall be cleaned and disinfected after each use. Nondisposable equipment shall be cleaned and disinfected after each use upon one person. No towel or linen shall be used for more than one person without being properly laundered. (Ord. No. 38,552, § 1, 10-29-96)

Norfolk City Code § 21-5 Continuous-use tanks and tubs.

Sec. 21-5. - Continuous-use tanks and tubs. All continuous-use tanks and tubs shall meet the requirements specified in City Code chapter 43 governing swimming pools and spas. (Ord. No. 38,552, § 1, 10-29-96)

Norfolk City Code § 21-6 Lighting.

Sec. 21-6. - Lighting. A minimum of ten (10) footcandles of light, as provided by natural and artificial sources, shall be maintained in all rooms in which services of a health parlor are provided. (Ord. No. 38,552, § 1, 10-29-96)

Norfolk City Code § 21-7 Ventilation.

Sec. 21-7. - Ventilation. Ventilating facilities shall be maintained and operated in every health parlor, so as to adequately ventilate the parlor and keep the facility free from excessive heat, steam, condensation, vapor or odors. (Ord. No. 38,552, § 1, 10-29-96)

Norfolk City Code § 21-8 Toilet facilities.

Sec. 21-8. - Toilet facilities. (a) In health parlors, the number of toilet facilities shall be provided in accordance with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and shall be connected to an approved sewer system. (b) The doors to all toilet rooms shall fit tightly and be self-closing. Toilet rooms shall be cleaned and maintained in good repair, provided with a minimum of ten (10) footcandles of light and mechanically vented to the outside air. (Ord. No. 38,552, § 1, 10-29-96)

Norfolk City Code § 21-9 Hand-washing facilities.

Sec. 21-9. - Hand-washing facilities. Adequate hand-washing facilities connected to an approved sewer system shall be provided which are conveniently located to each toilet room and areas where health parlor services are rendered. Each hand-washing facility shall have hot and cold running water, tempered by means of a mixing valve or combination faucet. Each facility shall also have a soap dispenser with soap, an approved sanitary towel dispenser with towels or hot-air dryer, and waste receptacle for disposal of trash and debris. The use of common towels is prohibited. (Ord. No. 38,552, § 1, 10-29-96)

Norfolk City Code § 21-10 Disposal of sewage.

Sec. 21-10. - Disposal of sewage. All sewage and liquid waste in a health parlor shall be disposed of in a public sanitary sewage system or by another method approved by the director of public health. (Ord. No. 38,552, § 1, 10-29-96)

Norfolk City Code § 21-11 Storage and disposal of refuse.

Sec. 21-11. - Storage and disposal of refuse. All refuse in health parlors shall be stored in approved containers. At least one covered receptacle shall be provided in restrooms used by females. All refuse stored on the outside shall be suitable vermin-tight containers with lids and the refuse disposal method shall meet applicable city ordinances. (Ord. No. 38,552, § 1, 10-29-96)

Norfolk City Code § 21-12 Use for sleeping quarters.

Sec. 21-12. - Use for sleeping quarters. No room or any part of any room of a health parlor shall be used for or connected with any bedroom or sleeping quarters nor shall any person sleep in such health parlor, except for limited periods incidental to or directly related to a massage or bath service. (Ord. No. 38,552, § 1, 10-29-96)

Norfolk City Code § 21-13 Separate massage rooms for each sex.

Sec. 21-13. - Separate massage rooms for each sex. If male and female patrons are served simultaneously in a health parlor, separate massage rooms for each sex shall be provided. (Ord. No. 38,552, § 1, 10-29-96)

Norfolk City Code § 21-14 Dressing rooms for patrons.

Sec. 21-14. - Dressing rooms for patrons. In every health parlor, patrons shall be provided with dressing areas and a locker or other suitable space to maintain separate areas for each patron's clothing. If male and female patrons are served simultaneously, each health parlor shall contain separate dressing areas for male and female patrons. (Ord. No. 38,552, § 1, 10-29-96)

Norfolk City Code § 21-15 Linen, towels and disposable items.

Sec. 21-15. - Linen, towels and disposable items. Linen used in health parlors shall be cleaned and laundered. All towels, sheets, or other covering shall be used only once for each patron and discarded for laundry or disposal immediately after use. Closed containers shall be required for the storage of wet or soiled linens. Disposable items shall be discarded after each use. (Ord. No. 38,552, § 1, 10-29-96)

Norfolk City Code § 21-16 Common use of brushes, combs, towels and drinking utensils.

Sec. 21-16. - Common use of brushes, combs, towels and drinking utensils. The common use of brushes, combs, towels and drinking utensils shall be prohibited in a health parlor. (Ord. No. 38,552, § 1, 10-29-96)

Norfolk City Code § 21-17 Lotions, tonics, astringents, and balms.

Sec. 21-17. - Lotions, tonics, astringents, and balms. Lotions, tonics, astringents, and balms shall be kept free of contamination. When only a portion of a preparation is to be used on a patron, it shall be removed from the container in such a way as not to contaminate the remaining portion. (Ord. No. 38,552, § 1, 10-29-96)

Norfolk City Code § 21-18 Cleaning of apparatus, tools, and instruments.

Sec. 21-18. - Cleaning of apparatus, tools, and instruments. (a) Items utilized in providing massage services shall be thoroughly cleaned and rinsed after each use and then disinfected with a EPA-registered hospital disinfectant or EPA-registered hospital disinfectant labeled as a tuberculocidal. Strict adherence to manufacturer's directions must be followed. Fresh solution shall be prepared daily and changed more often if visibly cloudy or dirty. (b) In the event that items or work surfaces are contaminated with blood or body fluids, the involved items and areas are to be thoroughly cleaned, rinsed, dried, and then disinfected at a minimum with an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant labeled as a tuberculocidal or classified by Centers for Disease Control as an intermediate disinfectant. (Ord. No. 38,552, § 1, 10-29-96)

Norfolk City Code § 21-19 Information as to employees to be furnished director of public health.

Sec. 21-19. - Information as to employees to be furnished director of public health. Whenever an operator or proprietor of a health parlor employs a person to work or to provide service as a masseur, masseuse, or massage therapist in such establishment, such operator or proprietor shall so inform the director of public health and furnish the director with the employee's health certificate number, name, date of birth, sex, social security number, and address. (Ord. No. 38,552, § 1, 10-29-96)

Norfolk City Code § 21-20 Health of employees generally.

Sec. 21-20. - Health of employees generally. No person who has a communicable disease shall work or be employed in any health parlor. It shall be the duty of each employee concerned to notify the manager of such establishment immediately if such conditions exist and to obtain from a physician licensed in the state a certification that the employee may safely provide service. The director of public health may require an employee suspected of having a communicable disease to submit himself for examination by a physician licensed in the state, such examination to be at the expense of the employee. (Ord. No. 38,552, § 1, 10-29-96)

Norfolk City Code § 21-21 Health certificate for masseur or masseuse or massage therapist.

Sec. 21-21. - Health certificate for masseur or masseuse or massage therapist. (a) No person shall practice as a masseur or masseuse or massage therapist at a health parlor (except those excluded [in the definitions of such terms] in section 21-1) without a health certificate issued by the director of public health. Certificates issued by the director shall be valid for one year from the day issued, unless sooner revoked or suspended. (b) The director may suspend a certificate issued under this section, if the holder thereof is suspected to be suffering from a communicable disease or refuses a physical examination to determine whether such holder is suffering from a communicable disease. (Ord. No. 38,552, § 1, 10-29-96)

Norfolk City Code § 21-22 Clothing and cleanliness of employees.

Sec. 21-22. - Clothing and cleanliness of employees. All employees at a health parlor shall wear clean outer clothing and maintain a high degree of personal cleanliness while on duty. They shall wash their hands thoroughly in an approved hand-washing facility before starting service to and completing service for each patron, after using toilet facilities, and as often as may be necessary to remove soil and contamination. (Ord. No. 38,552, § 1, 10-29-96)

Norfolk City Code § 21-23 Service when persons exhibit skin disorders or other conditions which may be communicable.

Sec. 21-23. - Service when persons exhibit skin disorders or other conditions which may be communicable. (a) No person shall provide any of the services of a health parlor to any patron exhibiting symptoms of being infected with any fungus or other skin infections, nor shall service be performed on any patron exhibiting skin inflammation, eruptions or conditions, unless a physician licensed in the state certifies that the person may be safely served. (b) No person shall provide any of the services of a health parlor if that person exhibits symptoms of being infected with any fungus or other skin infections, nor shall service be performed by any employee exhibiting skin inflammation, eruptions or conditions, unless a physician licensed in the state certifies that the employee is free of communicable disease and may safely provide service. (Ord. No. 38,552, § 1, 10-29-96)

Norfolk City Code § 21-24 Unlawful activities not to be permitted.

Sec. 21-24. - Unlawful activities not to be permitted. No operator of a health parlor shall permit therein any activity or behavior prohibited by the laws of the city or the state. (Ord. No. 38,552, § 1, 10-29-96)
Source: City of Norfolk, Virginia, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/va/norfolk/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COCI_CH21HEPA_ARTIINGEFetched: 11/1/2026

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