New regulations for South Lake Tahoe massage parlors and therapists

There will soon be a new ordinance in the City of South Lake Tahoe that will regulate massages, massage establishments and massage therapists.

"We will be raising the level of standards to legitimize the industry," said Mayor Wendy David.

There are currently 125 licensed massage therapists in the City, and an unknown number of people who are not. The new ordinance will be in place to make all comply and be licensed therapists in 90 days, or they cannot conduct business.

The direction was a result of public and law enforcement input about addressing the increase in storefront massage businesses in the community.

The ordinance goes into effect 30 days from the final reading of the ordinance on August 2, and people have 60 days from that point to complete an application with the City, be licensed through the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC), have a business license and operate businesses under a number of guidelines. To be a CAMTC, a therapist must have 500 hours of training before being licensed.

"We welcome local regulation with direct oversight," Theresa Bertrand, owner of Bio Spirit Spa, said before the Council. "This will bring legitimacy to our profession and respect to our town."

Cindy Archer of Partners Against Trafficking of Humans (P.A.T.H.) told Council that her group is in support of tightening the regulations around massage in order to prevent trafficking in the community. "This is a big issue," she said.

Storefront operations are expected to be the most affected by the ordinance. Undercover officers from SLTPD plan to stop by to verify compliance.

No one from the storefront parlors were present at the Council meeting, nor were they at the last meeting the Council discussed the proposed ordinance. Many of the employees that work at these businesses move around in what is called a circuit according to Tuesday's presentation. Once someone catches wind of illegal activities, they move the girls to the next location which could be Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco or any other cities around the West.

For a business to be certified, all persons employed must possess an unrevoked CAMTC, have a valid massage license from the SLT Chief of Police, post signage inside and out with the correct verbiage of services provided, carry a business license, and maintain records of each service provided to each client for at least two years. They must also pass health standards and be open to inspections.

Massages will only be able to be performed between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. by people wearing non-transparent clothing that covers the chest and other private areas.

Also, no open containers of alcohol will be allowed in a massage establishment no will the sale of condoms be allowed.

Once a business is licensed, the license cannot be transferred to a new owner, and if there is new ownership, immediate notification to the Chief of Police will be necessary. If a permit is lost it will be very difficult to get a new one according to SLTPD Chief Brian Uhler. He said the illegitimate massage businesses move in new owners quickly, so oversight on who owns the business is necessary.

"Some business will close," he said.