City Massage Business License and Self-Employed Exemption Review
On May 10, 2022, the City Council of Colorado Springs passed Ordinance 22-30. This Ordinance states that on or after September 1, 2022, it shall be unlawful for any person to operate a massage business without possessing a valid massage business license for each premises where the massage business operates.
If you or the business meets the exemption qualifications listed in City Code 2.3.105(A-I), you do not need to submit the application for the Massage Business License or Exemption for Self-Employed Massage Therapists operating in a business location.
If you are a self-employed massage therapist operating in a business location that meets the criteria listed in City Code 2.3.105(J), you will need to submit a self-employment exemption application.
The following documentation regarding Massage Business Licensing and Exemptions should be reviewed before submitting any application. Links to the online and paper applications for Massage Businesses are located in the respective tabs below.
- Ordinance 22-30 Massage Business Licensing
- Fee Resolution 62-22 Massage Business License Fees
Massage Business License
A massage business is a business that offers massage in exchange for any form of consideration or advertises as offering massage except as provided in section 2.3.105.
Massage therapist is any person who administers or offers to administer to another person, for any form of consideration or hire, a massage.
City Code
Fees and Payment
- Annual license fee: $110
- Late renewal fee: $55
- Annual background check fee: $7 (background check fee applies to each owner, officer, and manager)
Massage licenses are valid for one (1) year from the date of issuance or renewal. The City Clerk’s Office accepts cash, check, money order, Visa, and MasterCard.
Required Documents
- Massage Business License Application
- Statement/description of massage therapy services provided for the identified business location/premises
- Copy of current valid government issued photo ID for each owner, officer, and managing agent
- Separate completed and signed page 3 (individual work and residence history) AND page 4 (Lawful Presence Affidavit) of the application for each owner, officer, and managing agent
- Copy of current valid Certificates of Good Standing and Trade Name from Colorado Secretary of State
- Copy of valid executed possessory document (lease, deed, or other arrangement) for business location
- Copy of current valid diagram of the premises to be licensed (see application and section 2.3.103(A)(6) for details).
Online Portal
The City Clerk’s office is pleased to offer you access to our licensing services online. By creating an account, you will be able to view, apply and submit Massage Business application types. You will also be able to check the status of pending request, access payment information, and much more.
Massage Business-Premises Exemption
Massage Business-Premises Exemption Application for Self-Employed Massage Therapists
If you are a self-employed massage therapist operating in a business location that meets the criteria listed in City Code 2.3.105(J), you will need to submit a self-employment exemption application.
On or after September 1, 2022, it shall be unlawful for any person to operate a massage business without possessing a valid massage business license. If you or the business meet the exemption qualifications listed in City Code 2.3.105(A-I), you do not need to submit the massage business-premises application for the Massage Business License or the Exemption for Self-Employed Massage Therapists.
City Code
- Ordinance 22-30
- Massage Business Self-Employed Exemption Rules and Regulations
- City Code Chapter 2, Article 1 for all Business Licenses
Fees and Payment
- Self-Employed Massage Therapist exemption review fee: $50
The City Clerk’s Office accepts cash, check, money order, Visa, and MasterCard.
Required Documents
- Massage Business-Premises Exemption for Self-Employed/Solo Practitioners Application
- Copy of current valid government issued photo ID for each owner, officer, and managing agent
- Copy of current valid Certificates of Good Standing and Trade Name from Colorado Secretary of State (if applicable)
- Statement describing business relationship with tenants (for shared premises only)
- Copy of valid executed possessory document (lease, deed, or other arrangement) for business location
- Copy of current valid DORA issued Massage Therapist License
Online Portal
The City Clerk’s office is pleased to offer you access to our licensing services online. By creating an account, you will be able to view, apply and submit Massage Business application types. You will also be able to check the status of pending request, access payment information, and much more.