[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of Horsham Township as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 2-22-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-1]
The Horsham Township Council finds as follows:
A. 
That those businesses or enterprises known as "massage businesses" or "massage establishments," as hereinafter defined, frequently operate as houses of prostitution, and otherwise in violation of the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania;
B. 
That in many instances unsanitary and otherwise unhealthful conditions exist in those businesses or enterprises known as "massage businesses" and "massage establishments," as those terms are hereinafter defined; and
C. 
That, based on Subsections A and B above, the close regulation of those businesses or enterprises known as "massage businesses" and "massage establishments," as hereinafter defined, is necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare.
A. 
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the following meanings ascribed to them:
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
The Code Enforcement Officer of the Township of Horsham, or said Code Enforcement Officer's designee.
MASSAGE
Any method of treatment or therapy of the superficial soft parts of the body by rubbing, stroking, tapping, pressing, shaking or kneading with the hands, feet or elbow, and whether or not aided by any mechanical or electrical apparatus, appliances or supplementary aids such as rubbing alcohol, liniments, antiseptic oils, powders, creams, lotions, ointments or other similar preparations commonly used in this practice.
MASSAGE BUSINESS
The administering of a massage in return for the payment of a fee or other compensation or consideration to the person administering the massage either directly or indirectly.
MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENT
Any place in the Township where massages are administered for the payment of a fee or other compensation or consideration, but not including a hospital, nursing home, medical clinic or the office of a physician, surgeon, physical therapist, chiropractor or osteopath, currently licensed as such by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or to include barbershops or beauty salons in which massages are administered only to the scalp, face, neck or shoulders, or any athletic program of accredited junior and senior high schools or colleges in which a massage is administered by a trainer within the scope of such athletic program.
MASSAGE PROVIDER
Any massage establishment as defined herein or any massage technician as defined herein.
MASSAGE TECHNICIAN
Any person who administers a massage to another as a part of a massage business, but not including a physician, surgeon, chiropractor, osteopath, physical therapist or nurse, currently licensed as such by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or any coach and trainer of an athletic program of accredited junior and senior high schools or colleges in which a massage is administered by such coach or trainer within the scope of such athletic program.
PERSON
Any individual, association, firm, partnership, limited partnership, corporation, trust or other legally recognized entity.
RECOGNIZED SCHOOL
Any school or educational institution licensed and accredited to operate as a school or educational institution in the state in which it is located or any school recognized or approved by the American Massage and Therapy Association, Inc.
SEXUAL OR GENITAL AREA
The genitals, pubic area, buttocks, anus or perineum of any person, and the vulva and breasts of a female.
B. 
In this article, any word used in the singular shall include the plural, any word used as a plural shall include the singular, and the masculine shall include the feminine and the neuter.
A. 
No person shall engage in a massage business (including as a massage technician) unless such person shall possess a valid license issued pursuant to the provisions of this article, and no person shall operate a massage establishment at any place within the Township unless a valid license is issued pursuant to the provisions of this article for each and every such establishment.
B. 
Application.
(1) 
Fee. Any person desiring to obtain a license to engage in a massage business or operate a massage establishment shall submit an application to the Code Enforcement Officer. A fee shall accompany the submission of the application to defray the costs of administration and investigation. The amount of the fee shall be $250, or a different amount as may be from time to time set by resolution of the Township of Horsham.
(2) 
Contents. Any person desiring to obtain a license to engage in a massage business or operate a massage establishment shall file a fully completed written application with the Code Enforcement Officer on a form to be provided by the Code Enforcement Officer. The application form shall include a criminal release form to enable the Code Enforcement Officer to investigate the criminal offense history of any applicant.
C. 
Investigation. Applications for licenses under this article shall be referred to the Horsham Township Police Department, which shall cause an investigation to be made and report the findings to the Code Enforcement Officer. Applicants shall cooperate with any investigation conducted pursuant to the provisions of this article and shall permit access to the proposed place of business and facilities in conjunction with such investigation.
D. 
Granting of license. Within 60 days of the receipt of an application and fee, the Code Enforcement Officer shall either grant or deny the license applied for by the applicant. The license shall be granted, provided that:
(1) 
The proposed massage establishment complies with all applicable ordinances of the Township, including but not limited to the building, fire prevention and zoning ordinances[1] of the Township.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 90, Construction Code, Uniform; and Ch. 230, Zoning.
(2) 
No person whose name appears on the application, including owners and prospective employees, has been convicted of or entered a plea of guilty to any felony or has pleaded guilty to a felony or has a felony charge currently pending or has forfeited bail or has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of Section 5902 of the Crimes Code of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 5902, pertaining to prostitution and related offenses, or any law of any other jurisdiction involving sexual misconduct.
(3) 
The massage technician or massage establishment, as applicable, applies for and obtains any required business licenses and makes arrangements for the payment of any required business privilege taxes, local service tax or earned income taxes imposed by the Township.
E. 
No person shall be licensed and/or recognized as a massage technician, by the Township, unless such person shall have completed a course of study in a recognized school, which has for its purpose the teaching of the theory, method, profession or work of massage, which school requires at least 70 hours of course study for the issuance of a diploma or certificate of graduation. In the event that such person was previously licensed to perform massages in the Township, not having completed such course of study, at the expiration of such person's current license, such person shall be issued a provisional license for a six-month period for the purpose of enrolling and completing such course of study.
Each massage establishment shall comply with the following requirements:
A. 
The premises shall have adequate equipment for disinfecting instruments and materials used in the administration of massages. Such instruments and materials shall be disinfected after every use.
B. 
All massage tables, bathtubs, shower stalls, steam rooms, sauna rooms, bath areas and floors shall have surfaces which may be readily disinfected.
C. 
All walls, ceilings, floors, showers, bathtubs, steam rooms, sauna rooms and all other physical facilities shall be in good repair and maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. Wet and dry heat rooms, steam or vapor rooms, or steam or vapor cabinets, shower compartments and toilet rooms shall be thoroughly cleaned each day the business is in operation. When carpeting is used on the floors, it shall be kept dry.
D. 
The premises shall be equipped with a service sink for custodial services.
E. 
Each massage establishment shall have a minimum of one shower, one toilet and one washbasin.
F. 
If male and female patrons are to be served simultaneously, such massage rooms, dressing facilities, toilet facilities, steam rooms and sauna rooms as are provided shall be provided as separate facilities for male and female patrons and each such separate facility or room shall be clearly marked as such.
G. 
Rooms in which massages are to be administered shall have at least 50 square feet of clear floor area and shall maintain a light level of no less than 20 footcandles as metered at three feet above the surface of the floor (for illustrative purposes only, such light level is equivalent to light from a single forty-watt fluorescent lightbulb in a fifty-square-foot room). Lighting in colors other than white shall be prohibited. Such rooms shall contain a door incapable of being locked from either the exterior or the interior.
H. 
No stuffed or upholstered furniture or beds and mattresses shall be permitted in rooms in which massage is to be administered. Such rooms shall be equipped with massage tables having a hard surface impervious to liquids, with a width of no more than three feet and a length of no more than eight feet. The surface of such tables shall be positioned at least two feet above the surface of the floor. Such tables may be equipped with either nondisposable pads or coverings or disposable pads or coverings not more than 2 1/2 inches thick. Nondisposable pads or coverings shall be removable, impervious to liquids and cleanable.
Every massage establishment and every massage technician shall comply with the following requirements:
A. 
Prohibited conduct. No person other than an employee of the massage establishment shall be permitted to give massages in such massage establishment, and all massage technicians giving massages in any massage establishment shall be licensed as such and shall be deemed to be employees of the massage establishment for all purposes by the Township and shall not be deemed to be independent contractors.
B. 
Massage establishments shall commence operations and massages may be administered no earlier than 7:00 a.m. The hours of operation shall extend no later than 10:00 p.m.
C. 
A massage establishment shall prominently and publicly display its license on the premises and each massage technician's license shall be available for inspection. Price rates charged for any and all services shall be prominently posted in the reception area in a location available for view and no charges may be made other than in accordance with such posted rates.
D. 
No person under the age of 18 years of age shall be permitted to enter or remain on the premises or receive any massage.
E. 
Massage establishments shall at all times be equipped with an adequate supply of clean towels, linens and coverings. Towels, linens and coverings shall not be used by or on more than one patron unless they have first been laundered and disinfected. Disposable towels, linens and coverings shall not be used by or on more than one patron. Soiled towels, linens and coverings shall be deposited in approved receptacles; disposable items shall not be deposited in the same receptacle as nondisposable items.
F. 
Instruments used in administering massages shall not be used on more than one patron unless they have first been disinfected. Massage table pads and reusable table coverings shall be disinfected after each use.
G. 
Lotions and powders used during the administration of massage shall be stored separately in containers clearly labeled as to contents and shall be stored in cabinets used solely for such purpose.
H. 
Massages shall not be administered to any patrons who have open sores or other visual signs of contagion or communicable disease.
I. 
For the purposes of ascertaining violations of this article and conducting routine inspections, health inspectors, building inspectors, the Fire Marshal or duly authorized fire code inspectors of the Township, or police officers of the Horsham Township Police Department shall have the right of entry into the premises of any massage establishment during the hours such establishment is open for business.
J. 
If an inspector observes that any massage technician has open sores or otherwise has reasonable grounds to believe that any massage technician is infected with a contagious or communicable disease, the inspector shall have the right to suspend such technician from practicing or administering massages until such time as the massage technician furnishes a doctor's certificate showing the massage technician to be free of any contagious or communicable disease.
K. 
The owner or licensee or duly authorized manager shall be on duty at all times during the hours such establishment is open for business, such owner, licensee or manager being able to be identified by wearing prominently an identification badge identifying as such owner, licensee or manager.
L. 
Eating or drinking shall not be permitted on the premises, including but not limited to the serving, either for sale or otherwise, or the possession of any alcoholic beverages.
M. 
Animals, except for guide animals for the handicapped, shall not be permitted within massage establishments.
N. 
All employees, including massage technicians, shall only perform massages and have contact with patrons while fully clothed in clean and opaque clothing that fully covers the body from the shoulders to the thighs and is no shorter than six inches above the knee. The wearing of any form of lingerie as the sole garment shall be prohibited.
O. 
No person, other than employees of the massage establishment, shall remain on the premises of a massage establishment more than one hour after closing. No massage establishment shall be used as a dwelling unit or for residential purposes by any massage technician, and to prevent the use of a massage establishment for use as a dwelling unit all persons, including employees, shall vacate the premises within two hours after closing and shall not reenter the premises more than two hours prior to opening.
P. 
Massage technicians shall wash their hands immediately prior to and subsequent of the administration of any massage.
Q. 
It shall be unlawful for any person in a massage establishment to place his or her hands upon, touch, fondle or otherwise have any physical contact with, including massaging a sexual or genital part of, any other person or to offer to so touch any person. It shall be unlawful for any person in a massage establishment to expose his or her sexual or genital area to any other person.
No license issued under the provisions of this article shall be transferable to another person. Upon the sale or transfer of any interest in a massage establishment, the license therefor shall be null and void. Any person desiring to continue to operate such massage establishment following the sale or transfer of any interest shall make application therefor pursuant to the provisions of this article.
Every license issued under the provisions of this article is subject to revocation for violation any of the provisions of this article. Said license may be revoked by the Code Enforcement Officer after notice of the basis for such revocation. The license holder shall have the right to appeal from such proposed revocation to the Township Council and request a hearing. Notice of revocation shall be given in writing and shall be served at least 10 days prior to the effective date of the revocation by certified mail, by personal service on the license holder or by posting the notice upon the entrance to the massage establishment. The notice shall advise the license holder of the right to appeal the proposed revocation. A hearing shall be held before the Township Council, and the license holder shall have the right to be represented at such hearing and to produce evidence.
All licenses issued pursuant to the provisions of this article shall expire one year after the date of issuance. No later than one month previous to the expiration, licensees shall make application for renewal of said license.
In addition to the refusal or revocation of a license as provided under this article, the owner of a massage establishment or any officer thereof shall be liable for a civil penalty of not less than $1,000 for each and any violation of any provision of this article on the part of any agent, servant or employee of such owner of a massage establishment in a civil proceeding brought before a District Justice by the Township in accordance with the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure. It shall be an affirmative defense that the violation alleged occurred without the knowledge of or outside the control of such owner or officer.
Businesses subject to the provisions of this article operating in the Township of Horsham as of the time of the effective date of this article shall have five days from said effective date in which to comply with the provisions of this article.
All ordinances or parts of ordinances which are inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed.
If any sentence, clause, section or part of this article is for any reason found to be unconstitutional, illegal or invalid, such unconstitutionality, illegality or invalidity shall not affect or impair any of the remaining provisions, sentences, clauses, sections or parts of this article. It is hereby declared as the intent of the Board of Supervisors of Horsham Township that this article would have been adopted had such unconstitutional, illegal or invalid sentence, clause, section or part thereof not been included therein.
[Adopted 4-11-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-2]
The provisions of this article are designed to promote and protect the health, safety and general welfare of the residents of the Township of Horsham by establishing certain controls on dogs owned by residents, nonresidents and visitors of the Township.
A. 
For the purpose of this article, the following terms will have the following meanings, respectively:
CONTINUOUS or EXCESSIVE
"Continuous" as used in this article shall mean uninterrupted, unbroken and persistent or so persistently repeated at short intervals as to constitute virtually an unbroken series. "Excessive" as used in this article shall mean substantially greater than what is commonly considered usual or common barking by a dog.
DOG
Shall include all male and female dogs.
OWNER
Shall include every person having a right of property in such dog, or any individual to whom a license has been issued for such dog, and every person who keeps or harbors such dog or has it in his care, and every person who keeps or harbors such dog to remain on or about any premises occupied by him.
PERSON
Shall include individuals, corporations, partnerships and associations.
B. 
Singular words shall include the plural and masculine words, the feminine and neuter.
All dogs three months of age or older must be licensed. Licenses are issued by the Office of the Montgomery County Treasurer.
All dogs must wear a collar and leash and be under control at all times and may not be allowed to run at large upon property of another or upon the streets and alleys of the Township. An unleashed dog on the owner's premises or in the Kohler Park dog park shall not be deemed to be running at large.
The owner of any dog shall properly curb such dog from:
A. 
Scratching, digging, defecating, urinating upon any lawn, tree, shrub, plant, building or any other public or privately owned property; and
B. 
The owner of any dog, in the event such dog defecates on any property, shall immediately remove and dispose of all feces and deposit it in a sanitary manner.
The following activities shall be deemed to constitute a public nuisance or hazard:
A. 
Barking, howling and yelping in such a continuous, excessive and habitual manner as to unreasonably disturb the peace, safety and quiet of the immediate neighborhood;
B. 
Doing any act which constitutes a nuisance or hazard to the health and safety of the Township's thoroughfare; and
C. 
Failure of the owner of any dog to properly clean and otherwise maintain his pounds, kennels, yard and other areas in which such dog(s) is kept.
Violations of any provisions of the Pennsylvania Dog Law, Act 119 of 2008, and amendments thereto, in accordance with the provisions of said law shall be considered a violation of this article and enforced accordingly.
Any person or entity who violates any of the provisions of this article, upon conviction before a District Magistrate, shall be fined not less than $100 and not more than $500 for such violation. In default of the payment of any fine, such person shall be liable for imprisonment of not more than 10 days in Montgomery County Prison. Whenever any violator shall be notified by a representative of the Township or by service of summons or prosecution or in any other way that such violation has been committed, each day that the violation shall continue in such violation shall constitute a separate offense punishable by fine or penalty.
All ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent with the provisions of this article are hereby repealed.
The provisions of this article are severable, and if any section, sentence, clause, part of provision thereof shall be held illegal, invalid, or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision of the court shall not affect or impair the remaining sections, sentences, clauses, parts or provisions of this article. It is hereby declared to be the intent of the Council that this article would have been adopted if such illegal, invalid or unconstitutional section, sentence, clause, or part, or provision had not been included herein.