Olympia to consider new regulations for massage and reflexology businesses 

The Olympia City Council is set to consider Olympia Municipal Code (OMC) amendments aimed at strengthening oversight of massage and reflexology businesses.  

The city council will review the amendments at a meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 12.

The proposed changes, which include amendments to OMC 9.24 (offenses against public decency) and other sections, aim to support legitimate practitioners while equipping law enforcement with new tools to address illicit operations and protect vulnerable individuals.  

The staff report states the amendments to the ordinance come in response to concerns about suspicious activity occurring at certain massage establishments. It also noted some establishments have employed unlicensed practitioners and may be enabling criminal activity, such as human trafficking, prostitution or fraud.  

The city collaborated with the Washington State Massage Therapy Association to ensure the ordinance reflects best practices, and prioritizes community safety and well-being.  

The ordinance seeks to: 

• Require conspicuous posting of state-issued licenses and certifications.  

• Establish an inspection authority for law enforcement limited to common areas.  

• Mandate that only individuals age 18 or older may practice.  

• Prohibit unlicensed practice and receiving services from unlicensed providers.  

• Define criminal and administrative penalties for violations.  

• Provide a mechanism to deny or revoke business licenses for certain criminal convictions, including under RCW (Revised Code of Washington) 9A.88 (prostitution) and RCW 9A.60 (fraud).  

The ordinance would amend several sections of the OMC, including OMC 9.24 (lewd conduct), OMC 5.02.055 (license revocation and denial provisions), and OMC 18.02.180 (P) (Unified Development Code definitions), and would also create a new chapter — OMC 5.26, specifically regulating massage and reflexology businesses. 

The Olympia Police Department has partnered with Innovations Human Trafficking Collaborative, a local nonprofit, to provide support for survivors and training for first responders.

The ordinance emphasizes enforcement actions targeting business operators rather than individual service providers to promote health, safety and fair business practices.