Exemptions
San Diego Municipal Code § 33.3511
in effect§33.3511 Exemptions
(a) This Division does not apply to the following classes of individuals while engaged in the performance of the duties of their respective professions within the scope of their California state licenses: acupuncturists, aestheticians, barbers, chiropractors, cosmetologists, exercise physiologists, manicurists, nurses, occupational therapists, osteopaths, physical therapists, physicians, and surgeons.
(b) This Division does not apply to trainers of any semiprofessional or professional athlete or athletic team, or trainers hired by a local, state or federal agency.
(c) This Division does not apply to any educational institution licensed by the State of California, including any portion of the institution providing massage services, such as student clinics and work study programs, regulated under the state license. However, this exemption does not apply to any business owned or operated by such an institution that is not regulated under the state license.
(d) This Division does not apply to holistic health practitioners licensed under Division 44 of this Article.
(e) This Division does not apply to any massage therapists or massage practitioners who have state certification.
(f) The exemptions described in this section 33.3511 also exempt any fixed business location where:
(1) the exempt person as described in section 33.3511(a) through (d) provides massage services; or
(2) massage is administered
(A) under the direction and control of the exempt person as described in section 33.3511(a) through (d); and
(B) when the exempt person as described in section 33.3511(a) through (d) is physically present at the location.
(g) Renting office or work space at an otherwise exempt location does not provide the renter with an exemption from this Division.
(h) Massage therapists who are not themselves exempt, but who are employed by an exempt person are not exempt from the provisions of this Division.
(“Exemptions” renumbered from Sec. 33.3532 and amended 12-5-2000 by O-18907 N.S.; effective 7-1-2001.)
(Renumbered from former Section 33.3513 and amended 11-25-2014 by O-20437 N.S.; effective 12-25-2014.)
(Amended 11-20-2019 by O-21152 N.S.; effective 1-1-2020.)
Source: City of San Diego Office of the City Clerk, San Diego Municipal Code and City Charter (docs.sandiego.gov PDFs)URL: https://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter03/Ch03Art03Division35.pdf#page=9Fetched: 10/28/2026