A license is required to operate a Massage Establishment within the City of Shawnee. Massage therapy may be performed in the following manners:
- On the licensed premise of a massage establishment.
- On the business premises of a massage patron.
- Off-premise at a patron's home.
Regulations
Once the application has been submitted, it will be sent to the Police Department for a background investigation, the Planning Department to ensure zoning compliance, and the City Attorney to ensure compliance with the Shawnee Municipal Code. Final approval of a massage establishment is granted by the Community Development Department. The Licensing Specialist will also renew each license on an annual basis. The Licensing Specialist can deny a license for the following reasons:
- The proposed site is not zoned appropriately.
- The applicant gives false answers on the application.
- If an individual; or any of the stockholders holding more than ten percent of the stock of the corporation, any of the officers and directors; or any of the partners, including limited partners; and the manager or other person principally in charge of the operation of the business, have been convicted of any crime that includes a felony, a crime involving sexual misconduct with children or any sex offense that falls under K.S.A. 21-3436 et seq.
- The applicant has had a massage or massage establishment license denied, revoked or suspended in another city or state within five (5) years of the application.
- The manager of the business would be ineligible to receive a license.
- Inspections/Sign-Off.
Prior to opening, a massage establishment must have the following:
- A building inspection and health inspection. These are both conducted by the City Codes Administration Division call (913) 742-6010.
- A fire inspection. Contact the Fire Department at (913) 631-1080.
- Planning Department approval: a signature from a City Planner (913) 742-6011, on a Sign-Off Sheet indicating that the location is zoned appropriately and that they have explained the City sign requirements to you.
Once the massage establishment has opened, the following regulations apply:
- Massage establishments shall be closed and operations shall cease between 12:00 a.m. midnight and 6:00 a.m. each day.
- Customers of the opposite gender must not receive treatment in the same room at the same time.
- No alcoholic beverages shall be permitted on the premises of any licensed massage establishment.
- No service which is clearly dangerous or harmful to the health or safety of any person shall be permitted.
- Separate dressing rooms for each gender, with individual lockers, must be available on the premises.
- All employees must be modestly attired; clothing must cover an employee's chest at all times; hemlines may be no higher than the top of the knee.
- Private parts of patrons must be covered by towels, clothing or undergarments when in the presence of an employee.
- Sheets and towels shall be laundered after each use.
- Wet and dry rooms, showers and toilets shall be cleaned each day.
- Each licensed establishment is required to keep a list of employees' names, addresses and license numbers on file.
- Each licensed establishment is also required to keep a list of customers, hours of arrival and room assignment for the year. These lists shall be available for inspection by any Police Officer or the Codes Administration Division.
A complete list of regulations can be found in Chapter 5.40 of the Shawnee Municipal Code.
Application
The completed application and the following documents must be submitted by mail or in person to Community Development Department, 11110 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS 66203:
- Proof of age via a birth certificate or valid driver's license or other government-issued identification.
Massage Establishment License Application (pdf)
Fees
New: $300.00 per year
Renewal: $150.00 per year
The fee is not prorated and no refund is available.