[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of
the City of Hackensack 2-27-2018 by Ord. No. 05-2018.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Licenses and permits — See Ch. 107.
It is declared that the operation of a massage establishment,
as defined in this chapter, is a business affecting the public health,
safety and welfare of the City of Hackensack and its residents. In
order to ensure the protection of the public health, safety and welfare,
the City of Hackensack finds that it must license and regulate such
establishments in a manner authorized by and consistent with state
statute and regulations.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Any attempt, directly or indirectly, by publication, dissemination,
or circulation in print or electronic media, which directly or indirectly
induces or attempts to induce any person or entity to purchase or
enter into an agreement to purchase services related thereto from
a massage establishment or massage therapist.
Radio, television and Internet.
Any person other than a massage therapist who renders any
service in connection with the operation of a massage business and
receives compensation from the operator of the massage establishment
or its patrons.
The operator of a massage establishment.
Any system of activity of structured touch which include,
but are not limited to, holding, applying pressure, positioning and
mobilizing soft tissue of the body by manual technique and use of
visual, kinesthetic, auditory and palpating skills to assess the body
for purposes of applying therapeutic massage and bodywork principles.
Such application may include, but is not limited to, the use of therapies
such as heliotherapy or hydrotherapy, the use of moist hot and cold
external applications, explaining and describing myofascial movement,
self-care and stress management as it relates to massage and bodywork
therapies. Massage and bodywork therapy practices are designed to
affect the soft tissue of the body for the purpose of promoting and
maintaining the health and well-being of the client. Massage and bodywork
therapies do not include the diagnosis of illness, disease, impairment
or disability.
Any establishment, including, without limitation, a day spa,
where any person, firm, association or corporation engages in, carries
on or permits to be engaged in or carried on any of the activities
mentioned in the definition of "massage and bodywork therapies" for
compensation of any kind.
A person licensed to practice massage and bodywork therapies
pursuant to the provisions of the Massage and Bodywork Therapist Licensing
Act, N.J.S.A. 45:11-53 et seq.
Any person who receives a massage under such circumstances
that it is reasonably expected that he or she will pay money or give
other consideration therefor.
Any individual, firm, association, corporation or combination
of individuals of whatever form or character.
Newspapers, magazines, periodicals, professional journals,
telephone directories, circulars, handbills, flyers, billboards, signs,
business cards, match covers and other similar items, documents or
comparable publications, the content of which is disseminated by means
of the printed work.
Genitals, anus or perineum of any person or the breast or
vulva of a female.
No massage establishment shall operate or provide massage services within the City of Hackensack without obtaining a license from the Health Department in accordance with the provisions set forth hereunder and as set forth in Chapter 107, Licenses and Permits. The license to be issued is specific to massage establishments and is independent from any certificate of occupancy, zoning approval or any other approval that may be required by other provisions of the Code of the City of Hackensack ("City Code") for the use of any premises as a massage establishment.
A.
In addition to the information required by Chapter 107, any person seeking to obtain a license to operate a massage establishment within the City of Hackensack must provide the following:
(1)
A complete application, as provided by the Health Department of the
City of Hackensack, accompanied by an application fee in the amount
of $500.
(2)
The business name and type of ownership of the business, i.e., whether
individual, partnership, corporation or any other form of organization.
A copy of the entity's business registration certificate (BRC) issued
by the Division of Revenue in the Department of the Treasury must
be provided.
(3)
For each person having an ownership interest in the massage establishment:
(4)
For each massage therapist who will provide massage and bodywork
therapies for the massage establishment:
(a)
Name, address, date of birth and Social Security Number; and
(b)
A copy of a driver's license, passport or other government-issued
photo identification for each massage therapist providing massage
services for the massage establishment. The copy shall be in color
and of such quality so that the massage therapist is readily identifiable
from the photograph; and
(d)
A copy of a valid certification or license issued by the New
Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy for each massage therapist
who will provide massage and bodywork therapies for the massage establishment.
(5)
Proof of appropriate liability insurance coverage with a reputable
company licensed by the State of New Jersey in an amount of not less
than $500,000 per occurrence and in the aggregate for all claims caused
by personal injury.
(6)
Satisfactory proof that all applicable building, zoning, health and
fire code requirements have been met and inspection certificates issued.
B.
Every massage establishment license issued pursuant to this chapter
shall expire on February 28, or February 29 in leap years, unless
sooner suspended or revoked, and shall be renewed upon compliance
with the licensure requirements above, except that the renewal fee
shall be $250 annually. Licensees shall submit an application for
renewal no later than February 15. Those failing to submit a timely
renewal application shall be required to reapply as and be subject
to the conditions and fees of an initial applicant. Every such establishment
existing as of the date this chapter becomes effective shall, within
60 days of adoption, comply with all of the requirements of this chapter,
except that the fee to be paid shall be $250.
C.
Upon the effective date of this chapter, no new license shall issue
for a massage establishment to be located within 1,000 feet of an
existing massage establishment.
D.
Licenses are nontransferable as to location and ownership. A new
application, including payment of the applicable fee, must be submitted
for any change of location and any change of ownership interest.
A.
When the application is properly completed and signed by the applicant,
the original, duplicate and applicable fees shall be filed with the
Health Department. The Health Department shall refer the duplicate
to the Police Department, who shall make or cause to be made an investigation
and criminal background check of each person having an ownership interest
in the massage establishment and of each massage therapist providing
massage and bodywork therapies for the massage establishment.
B.
Upon completion of the criminal background investigation, the Police
Department Officer in Charge, or designee, shall endorse the application,
noting approval or disapproval, and forward the application to the
Health Department with supporting information. Disapproval shall be
based on information disclosed by the investigation and criminal background
check indicating that the issuance of the license would not be in
the best interest of the public.
C.
No massage establishment shall be issued a license or be operated,
established or maintained in the City of Hackensack unless an inspection
by the Health Officer, Construction Official and Fire Inspector reveals
that the establishment complies with the minimum requirements of the
Building, Health and Fire Codes for businesses operating in the City.
D.
If the Police Department approves the application and the Health
Department has determined that the remaining requirements are satisfied,
the Health Department shall cause said license to be issued.
E.
The massage establishment shall immediately notify the Health Department of any change in massage therapists performing massage and bodywork therapies at the massage establishment. The information set forth in § 111-3A(4) shall be provided for each new massage therapist. The Health Department shall forward the information to the Police Department for investigation and criminal background check. The cost of the criminal background check shall be paid for by the applicant in advance. No massage establishment shall permit a massage therapist to perform massage and bodywork therapies at the massage establishment until the information set forth in § 111-3A(4) is provided to the Health Department.
A.
Every massage establishment shall display in a conspicuous place
so as to be readily seen by persons entering the premises a valid
massage establishment license issued by the City of Hackensack and
the license or certificate issued by the New Jersey Board of Massage
and Bodywork Therapy for each massage therapist employed at the establishment.
A two-inch-by-two-inch passport-sized color photo of the licensed
massage or bodywork therapist must be affixed to the displayed license
of each therapist employed by the establishment.
B.
All therapists on site must have in their possession a valid driver's
license, passport or other government-issued photo identification.
A.
Price rates for all services offered by the massage establishment
shall be prominently posted in the reception area. No services shall
be offered or provided by the massage establishment or by a massage
therapist unless specifically posted in accordance herewith.
B.
All employees, including massage therapists, shall wear nontransparent
outer garments.
C.
The sexual or genital areas of patrons must be covered by towels,
cloths or undergarments when in the presence of an employee or massage
therapist.
D.
No employee or patron shall touch or fondle, or offer to touch or
fondle, in any manner the sexual or genital area of any person.
E.
Hours of operation shall be limited to 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. or
as otherwise established by any reviewing board considering an application
for permit approval. While hours of operation may be more restrictive,
they shall not be more expansive than that permitted herein.
F.
Every massage establishment and massage therapist shall comply with
the infection control precautions currently set forth at N.J.A.C.
13:37A-3.2 and as may be amended from time to time.
G.
Every massage establishment and massage therapist shall comply with
the sexual misconduct provisions currently set forth at N.J.A.C. 13:37A-3.5
and as may be amended from time to time.
H.
Every massage establishment and massage therapist shall comply with
the patient acknowledgement requirement currently set forth at N.J.A.C.
13:37A-3.7 and as may be amended from time to time.
I.
Effective March 1, 2020, any massage establishment not previously licensed under Chapter 111 of the City Code shall be required to have a store front made of clear glass or other material that allows the interior of the facility to be clearly visible from the outside of the facility. If any massage establishment licensed prior to March 1, 2020, changes its physical location, it shall be required to comply with this provision at its new location.
[Added 2-25-2020 by Ord. No. 07-2020]
J.
It is prohibited
to control any entrance to a massage establishment by means of a buzzer
or similar locking mechanism.
[Added 2-25-2020 by Ord. No. 07-2020]
A.
No person shall advertise or offer to provide massage-related services
for compensation within the City of Hackensack unless licensed as
a massage establishment pursuant to this chapter.
B.
All advertisements for massage services to be provided within the
City of Hackensack shall include the massage establishment's name,
address and telephone number.
It shall be the responsibility of the owners of the massage
establishment and the holder of the license for the massage establishment
to ensure that all persons and massage therapists comply with the
provisions of this chapter.
The City Police Department, Health Officer, Fire Chief, Construction
Officer, Zoning Officer and/or Code Enforcement Officer may make inspections
of any and all parts of the massage establishment to ensure compliance
with the provisions of this chapter, the City Code, and the laws and
administrative codes of the State of New Jersey on no less than an
annual basis and shall be permitted to perform spot inspections without
need of obtaining any approval of the operator of the business or
an administrative search warrant.
In addition to the regulations set forth at N.J.A.C. 13:37A-3.1
et seq., every massage establishment must comply with each of the
following minimum requirements:
A.
Each massage and bodywork therapy area/room shall be equipped with
a sink and an adequate area within each room for clients to store
personal items.
B.
No massage establishment shall knowingly serve any patron infected
with any fungus or other skin infections, nor shall service be performed
on any patron exhibiting skin inflammation or eruptions, provided
that a duly licensed physician may certify that a person may be safely
provided with massage or bodywork therapy, prescribing the conditions
thereof.
C.
Client records must be kept for each and every client who receives
services from the massage establishment. These records shall include
at a minimum an intake form filled out by each customer to include
the customer's name, address, phone number, date of birth, date of
service, the specific service received, the licensed therapist's full
name and New Jersey State Massage and Bodywork Therapist License number,
and the signature of the client. These records must be stored on the
premises and available for review by the Health Department at all
times for a period of not less than two years from the date the service
was performed.
D.
Signage specifying the age restriction and the required record keeping
requirements must be posted in English, conspicuously displayed and
clearly readable from the customer entrance of the establishment at
all times.
No part of any quarters of any massage establishment shall be
used for or connected with any bedroom or sleeping quarters nor shall
any person sleep in such massage establishment except for limited
periods incidental to and directly related to a massage and bodywork
therapy treatment or bath.
A.
No owner or manager of a massage, bodywork and somatic therapy establishment
shall tolerate in his or her establishment any activity or behavior
prohibited by the State of New Jersey, particularly, but not limited
to, laws proscribing prostitution, indecency and obscenity, including
the sale, uttering or exposing and public communication of obscene
material; laws which relate to the commission of sodomy, adultery
and proscribing fornication, nor shall any owner or manager tolerate
in his or her establishment any activity or behavior which violates
this section.
B.
Any conviction of any employee of a massage establishment of a violation
of the aforementioned statutes and codes shall devolve upon the owner
or manager of such establishment, to the extent that it constitutes
sufficient cause for the suspension or revocation of the establishment
license.
C.
The owner or licensee of the massage establishment shall not permit:
(1)
Table showers.
(2)
Ear candling.
(3)
All procedures and services that involve ear picks, ear scoops or
ear spoons.
(4)
Cupping, or applying the open end of a glass vessel or vessel of
another material onto the client's skin and utilizing an open flame
to heat the vessel.
(5)
Any activities or therapies that utilize any form of terrestrial
or aquatic animals during therapy, including but not limited to fish
foot spas.
(6)
Any activities or therapies that utilize animal waste or products
that contain animal waste as an ingredient.
(7)
Colon cleansing.
D.
Pest control chemicals or sprays are prohibited. Pest control services
must be performed by NJDEP-licensed pest control contractors.
E.
Laundering is restricted to only those linens and towels used within
the operation and must be laundered in accordance with N.J.A.C. 13:37A-3.2(j).
The laundering of personal clothing and/or other items is prohibited.
Personal clothing or other personal items may not be commingled with
the linens or towels used in the operation nor shall personal clothing
not specific to the operation be stored on the premises.
F.
No bulk food storage or meal preparation is permitted on premises.
G.
Personal effects of establishment owner(s) or employee(s) are not
permitted on premises.
H.
No one under 18 years of age shall be served unless accompanied by
a parent or legal guardian.
I.
Alcoholic beverages shall not be stored nor consumed on the premises.
A.
The Health Officer may revoke the license of a massage establishment
for any of the following reasons:
(1)
The massage establishment violates or fails to comply with any provisions
of this chapter, the City Code, or laws and administrative codes of
the State of New Jersey.
(2)
Any person or massage therapist employed by the massage establishment
violates or fails to comply with any provisions of this chapter, the
City Code or laws and administrative codes of the State of New Jersey.
(3)
Anyone with an ownership interest in the massage establishment is
convicted of a criminal or quasicriminal offense related to the massage
establishment business or any sex-related offense.
(4)
Any person or massage therapist employed by the massage establishment
is convicted of a criminal or quasicriminal offense related to the
massage establishment business or any sex-related offense.
(5)
The massage establishment is engaged in the practice of massage under
a false or assumed name or is using the name of a licensed massage
therapist not associated with the massage establishment.
(6)
The massage establishment employs or permits any person without a
valid certification or license from the New Jersey Board of Massage
and Bodywork Therapy to provide massage services for the massage establishment.
B.
The Health Officer shall cause a notice of license revocation to
be issued to the licensee, at the licensee's most recent address on
file, that the license has been revoked. Within 10 days of the delivery
of said notice, the licensee may appeal to the City Council to reinstate
the license. The filing of such notice shall not stay any revocation
of the license for the premises. The City Council shall hold a hearing
within 90 days of receipt of a notice of appeal. Once the ten-day
appeal period has passed, or if upon appeal to the City Council the
license revocation is upheld, the massage establishment or individual
will be barred from providing massage services within the City for
a period of five years.
A.
The requirements of this chapter shall have no application and effect
upon any physician, surgeon, chiropractor, osteopath, nurse, nurse
practitioner, physicians' assistant, or physical therapist duly licensed
to practice such professions in this state.
B.
The requirements of this chapter shall not apply to any school certified
to teach massage by the New Jersey Department of Education.
C.
The requirements of this chapter shall not apply to massage or physical
therapy treatments given in the office of a licensed physician, chiropractor
or physical therapist, or in a licensed medical center or hospital.
In addition to the revocation or suspension of the license granted under this chapter, any person and/or establishment violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction, be subject to the penalties provided by § 1-15 of the City Code.
The enforcement agent for the provisions of this chapter shall
be the Health Officer or his/her designee.
