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Massage and bathhouses

Massage and bathhouses

King County business licenses

If your business is engaged in providing massage or offers any type of baths such as sauna baths, hot tubs, or Swedish baths, a license may be required (Title 6* of the King County Code).

If you are a State licensed massage practitioner and you own and operate your own massage business within unincorporated King County, you are not required to have a King County Massage Business License. However, if you own a massage business within unincorporated King County and you are not a State licensed massage practitioner, a King County Massage Business License is required.

If you operate, conduct or maintain bathhouse facilities (such as those mentioned above) in unincorporated King County, you are required to have a King County Bathhouse License.

Potential businesses requiring Massage and/or Bathhouse Business Licenses would be massage businesses where the owner is not a State licensed massage practitioner and those businesses offering bathhouse facilities and/or services, such as hot tub establishments, sauna establishments, beauty salons, and athletic clubs.

Massage Business Licenses and Bathhouse Licenses are $150 each per year. A license is valid for one location only.

License applications are referred to the Department of Local Services, Permitting Division to ensure compliance with all applicable fire, building and zoning codes of King County and also to the King County Sheriff's Office. Inspections are conducted to ensure compliance with standards of conduct and safety and sanitation requirements. Massage and/or Bathhouse Business Licenses expire on November 30th of each year.

To apply, complete the License Application for Massage/Public Bathhouse form. For assistance, contact Permitting at 206-296-6600 or email PermitServices@kingcounty.gov.

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