[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township
of Cedar Grove 9-26-2011 by Ord. No. 11-731. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to insure the health and safety
of all persons involved in massage businesses establishments within
the Township of Cedar Grove.
For the purpose of this section, the following words and phrases
shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:
EMPLOYEE
Any and all persons, other than the massage practitioners,
who work at a massage establishment, who receive compensation directly
from the permittee and who have no physical contact with the customers
and clients.
MASSAGE
Any method of pressure on or friction against or stroking,
kneading, rubbing, tapping, pounding, vibrating or stimulating of
the external soft parts of the body with the hands or with the aid
of any mechanical electrical apparatus or appliances with or without
such supplementary aids as rubbing alcohol, liniments, antiseptics,
oils, powder, creams, lotions, ointments or other similar preparations
commonly used in this practice.
MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENT
Any establishment having a fixed place of business where
any person, firm, association or corporation engages in or carries
on or permits to be engaged in or carried on any of the activities
mentioned in this section. This includes any establishment engaged
in or carrying on or permitting the practice of massage therapy.
MASSAGE PRACTITIONER(S)
Any person, including a trainee, who, for any consideration
whatsoever, engages in the practice of massage as herein defined,
including but not limited to subcontractors, subtenants or temporary
employees.
OUT-CALL MASSAGE SERVICE
Massage therapy which is performed by a massage practitioner
in a venue other than a massage establishment.
PATRON
Any person who receives a massage under such circumstances
that it is reasonably expected that he or she will pay money or give
any other consideration therefor.
PERMITTEE
The operator of a massage establishment and out-call massage
service.
A. No person shall engage in or carry on the business of massage unless
he or she has a valid massage establishment permit issued by the Township
of Cedar Grove pursuant to the provisions of this section for each
and every separate office or place of business.
B. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to eliminate any requirements
under the laws or regulations of federal, state, or local government.
Every applicant for a permit to maintain, operate or conduct
a massage establishment, including out-call massage services, shall
file a complete application with the Township Health Department upon
a form provided by said Township Health Department and pay an annual
filing fee as follows:
A. For one massage practitioner, the fee shall be $250 per year.
B. For each additional massage practitioner, the fee shall be $100 per
year.
C. All fees are nonrefundable.
D. If at any time after the initial permit is granted additional massage
practitioners begin providing services at the massage establishment,
all of the information required herein must be submitted to the Health
Department within 10 days and the additional fee paid.
E. In addition to the above fee, each massage practitioner must pay the fee required in §
169-5E(7) to obtain a criminal background check.
Any person desiring a massage establishment permit shall file a written application with the Township Health Department on a form to be furnished by the Township Health Department. The applicant shall accompany the application with a tender of the correct fee set forth in §
169-4 above and shall, in addition, furnish the following:
A. The type of ownership of the business, i.e., whether individual,
partnership, corporation, limited-liability corporation, or otherwise.
B. The name, style and designation under which the business or practice
is to be conducted.
C. The business address and all telephone numbers of all massage establishments
where the business is to be conducted.
D. A complete list of the names, residence addresses and emergency telephone
numbers of all massage practitioners and employees in the business
and the name, residence addresses and emergency telephone numbers
of the manager or other person principally in charge of the operation
of the business.
E. The following personal information concerning the applicant, if an
individual; concerning each stockholder holding more than 10% of the
stock of the corporation, each officer and each director or managing
agent, if the applicant is a corporation; concerning the partners,
including limited partners, if the applicant is a partnership; the
manager or other person principally in charge of the operation of
the business, and all massage practitioners and employees:
(1) The name, complete residence address and residence/emergency telephone
number.
(2) The two previous addresses immediately prior to the present address
of the applicant.
(4) Height, weight, color of hair and eyes and sex.
(5) Two front-face portrait photographs taken within 30 days of the date
of the application and two inches by two inches in size.
(6) The massage or similar business history and experience, including
but not limited to whether or not such person has previously operated
in this or another municipality or state under a license or permit
or has had such license or permit denied, revoked or suspended and
the reason therefor and the business activities or occupations subsequent
to such action for denial, suspension or revocation.
(7) All criminal convictions other than misdemeanor traffic violations,
fully disclosing the jurisdiction in which convicted and the offense
for which convicted and circumstances thereof. The applicant must
consent to a fingerprint check for the purpose of a criminal background
check. The procedure for applicant fingerprint checks shall adhere
to established New Jersey State Police policy for criminal background
checks and shall be conducted under the supervision of the Police
Department.
(8) A certification from the Massage, Bodywork and Somatic Therapy Examining
Committee, as set forth in N.J.A.C. 13:37-16 et seq.
(9) A sworn statement indicating that all massage, bodywork and somatic
therapists employed or to be employed by the business or otherwise
permitted to work at the business have certifications from the Massage,
Bodywork and Somatic Therapy Examining Committee, as set forth in
N.J.A.C. 13:37-16 et seq.
(10)
A statement, in writing, from a licensed physician in the state
that he or she has examined the applicant and believes the applicant
to be free of all communicable diseases.
(11)
Authorization for the Township and its agents and employees
to seek information and conduct an investigation into the truth of
the statements set forth in the application and the qualifications
of the applicant for the permit.
(12)
The names and addresses of three adult residents of the county
who will serve as character references. These references must be persons
other than relatives and business associates.
(13)
A written declaration by the applicant, under penalty of perjury,
that the foregoing information contained in the application is true
and correct, said declaration being duly dated and signed in the Township.
A. No massage establishment shall be issued a permit to be operated,
established or maintained in the Township unless an inspection by
the Health Officer, Building Inspector and Fire Inspector reveals
that the establishment complies with each of the following minimum
requirements:
(1) Construction of rooms used for toilets, tubs, steam baths, and showers
shall be made waterproof with approved waterproof materials and shall
be installed in accordance with the New Jersey Uniform Construction
Code.
(2) All massage tables, bathtubs, shower stalls or bath areas and floors
shall have surfaces which may be readily disinfected.
(3) Adequate bathing, dressing and locker facilities shall be provided
for the patrons to be served at any given time. In the event that
male and female patrons are to be served simultaneously, separate
bathing, dressing, locker and massage room facilities shall be provided.
(4) The premises shall have adequate equipment for disinfecting and sanitizing
nondisposable instruments and materials used in administering massages.
Such nondisposable instruments and materials shall be disinfected
after use on each patron.
(5) Closed cabinets shall be provided and used for the storage of clean
linen, towels and other materials used in connection with administering
massages. All soiled linens, towels and other materials shall be kept
in properly covered containers or cabinets, which containers or cabinets
shall be kept separate from the clean storage areas.
(6) Toilet facilities shall be provided in convenient locations. When
employees and patrons of different sexes are on the premises at the
same time, separate toilet facilities shall be provided for each sex.
A single water closet per sex shall be provided for each 20 or more
employees or patrons of that sex on the premises at any one time.
Urinals may be substituted for half of the water closets for the male
patrons after one water closet has been provided. Toilets shall be
designated as to the sex accommodated therein.
(7) Lavatories or washbasins provided with both hot and cold running
water shall be installed in either the toilet room or a vestibule
immediately adjacent thereto. Lavatories or washbasins shall be provided
with soap and a dispenser and with disposable or single-use towels.
(8) The premises shall be equipped with a service sink for custodial
services.
(9) The premises shall meet the Building Code, Fire Code of the Township and all other applicable laws and regulations.
B. The Health Officer, the Building Inspector or the Fire Inspector
shall certify that the proposed massage establishment complies with
all the requirements of this section and shall send such certification
to the Director of Health and Welfare.
The Health Department, upon receiving an application for a massage
establishment permit, shall refer the application to the Construction
Official, the Fire Department, the Police Department and the Township
Zoning Department, which departments shall inspect the premises proposed
to be operated as a massage establishment and shall make written recommendation
to the Health Department concerning the laws and codes that they administer.
The Health Department may issue a permit within 14 days following receipt of a completed application and the certifications set forth in §§
169-6 and
169-7 above if all requirements for a massage establishment described in this chapter are met, unless it finds that:
A. The correct permit fee has not been tendered to the Township and,
in the case of a check or bank draft, honored with payment upon presentation.
B. The operation as proposed by the applicant, if permitted, would not
comply with all applicable laws, including but not limited to the
building, zoning and health regulations.
C. The applicant has knowingly made any false, misleading or fraudulent
statement of fact in the permit application or in any document required
by the Township in conjunction therewith.
D. The applicant has had a massage business, massage practitioner's
or other similar permit or license denied, revoked or suspended for
any of the above causes by the Township or any other state or local
agency within five years prior to the date of the application.
E. The applicant, if an individual, any of the officers and directors
or managing director, if the applicant is a corporation or limited-liability
corporation, any of the partners, including limited partners, if the
applicant is a partnership, or the manager or other person principally
in charge of the operation of the business is not over the age of
18 years.
F. The applicant, if an individual, any of the stockholders holding
more than 10% of the stock of the corporation or any of the officers
or directors or managing directors, if the applicant is a corporation,
any of the partners, including limited partners, if the applicant
is a partnership, or the manager or other person principally in charge
of the operation of the business has been convicted of a felony, an
offense involving sexual misconduct with children, prostitution, soliciting
for purpose of prostitution, pandering, keeping a place of prostitution,
any crime involving dishonesty, fraud or deceit or other offenses
opposed to decency and morality.
A. All massage establishments are to be kept in accordance with the
Infection Control Precautions as outlined in N.J.A.C. 13:37-16.8.
B. Every portion of the massage establishment, including appliances
and apparatus, shall be kept clean and operated in a sanitary condition.
C. Price rates for all services shall be prominently posted in the reception
area in a location available to all prospective customers.
D. All employees, including massage practitioners and employees, shall
be clean and wear clean, nontransparent outergarments. A separate
dressing room for each sex must be available on the premises, and
each dressing room shall contain a tub or shower in good working order
and individual lockers for each employee and customer. Doors to such
dressing rooms shall open inward and shall be self-closing.
E. All massage establishments shall be provided with clean, laundered
sheets and towels in sufficient quantity, which shall be laundered
after each use thereof and stored in a sanitary manner.
F. The genital area of patrons must be covered by towels, cloths or
undergarments when in the presence of an employee or massage practitioners.
G. It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly, in a massage establishment,
to place his or her hand upon or to touch with any part of his or
her body or to fondle in any manner or to massage a genital area of
any other person.
H. No massage practitioner, employee or operator shall perform, offer
or agree to perform any act which would require the touching of the
patron's sexual or genital area.
I. All massage practitioners and employees shall refrain, under all
circumstances, from initiating or engaging in any sexual conduct,
sexual activities, or sexualizing behavior involving a client, even
if the client attempts to sexualize the relationship.
J. All walls, ceilings, floors, pools, showers, bathtubs, steam 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 and shower compartments and
toilet rooms shall be thoroughly cleaned each day that the business
is in operation. Bathtubs and showers shall be thoroughly cleaned
after each use. When carpeting is used on the floors, it shall be
kept dry.
K. Oils, creams, lotions and other preparations used in administering
massages shall be kept in clean, closed containers or cabinets.
L. Eating in the massage work areas shall not be permitted. Animals,
except for Seeing Eye dogs, shall not be permitted in the massage
work area.
M. Each massage practitioner shall wash his or her hands in hot running
water, using a proper soap or disinfectant, before administering a
massage to each patron.
N. Insurance. All massage practitioners and massage establishments shall maintain and post proof of appropriate liability insurance coverage with a reputable company licensed by the State of New Jersey in an amount of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and in the aggregate for all claims caused by personal injury. A certificate of insurance in acceptable form shall be provided to the Health Department within 10 days of the issuance of the permit set forth in §
169-3 above.
O. Hours of operation. The hours of operation for all licensed businesses
shall be between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
A. All premises used by permittees hereunder shall be periodically inspected
by the Health Department and Building Department or their authorized
representatives for safety of the structure and adequacy of plumbing,
ventilation, heating and illumination. The walls shall be clean and
painted with washable, mold-resistant paint in all rooms where water
or steam baths are given. Floors shall be free from any accumulation
of dust, dirt or refuse. All equipment used in the massage operation
shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. Towels, linen
and items for the personal use of operators and patients shall be
clean and freshly laundered. Towels, cloths and sheets shall not be
used for more than one patron. Heavy, white paper may be substituted
for sheets, provided that such paper is changed for every patron.
No massage service or practice shall be carried on within any cubicle,
room or booth or any area within a massage establishment which is
fitted with a door capable of being locked.
B. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to eliminate other requirements
of statute or ordinance concerning the maintenance of premises or
to preclude authorized inspection thereof.
Any permit issued for a massage establishment or out-call massage
service may be revoked or suspended by the Health Department after
a hearing, for good cause or in any case where any of the provisions
of this section are violated or where any employee or the permittee,
including a massage practitioner, is engaged in any condition which
violates any of the state or local laws or ordinances at the permittee's
place of business and the permittee has actual or constructive knowledge
of such violations or the permittee should have actual or constructive
knowledge by due diligence or in any case where the permittee refuses
to permit any duly authorized police officer or health inspector of
the Township of Cedar Grove to inspect the premises or the operations
therein. Such permit may also be revoked or suspended by the Township
of Cedar Grove, upon the direction of the Director of Health that
such business is being managed, conducted or maintained without regard
for the public health or health of patrons or customers or without
due regard to proper sanitation and hygiene.
The operator of a massage establishment or an out-call massage
service must maintain a register of all persons employed as massage
practitioners. Such register shall be available for inspection at
all times during regular business hours.
The permit holder shall be responsible for all actions which
occur on the premises, whether by massage practitioners, employees,
subcontractors, or other persons on the premises.
All massage establishments shall post their massage establishment
permit in the hallway entrance in a conspicuous location at all times.
All massage, bodywork and somatic therapy practitioners shall display
their certifications in view of clients.
Every person who operates a massage business or practices or
provides a massage shall, at all times, keep an appointment book in
which the name of each and every patron shall be entered, together
with the time, date and place of service, the service provided, the
fees charged, and the name of the massage practitioner who provided
the services. Such appointment book shall be available at all times
for inspection by the Health Department's authorized representatives,
and this appointment book shall be maintained for a period of seven
years from the date of the most recent entry.
The Health Department, the Police Department and the Fire Department
shall, from time to time, at least annually, announced or unannounced,
make an inspection of each massage establishment granted a permit
under the provisions of this chapter for the purpose of determining
whether the provisions of this chapter are complied with. Such inspections
shall be made at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner. It shall
be unlawful for any permittee to fail to allow such inspection officer
access to the premises or to hinder such officer in any manner.
No person shall permit any person under the age of 18 years
to receive a massage without advanced written permission of his or
her parent, caregiver or guardian, or a parent, caregiver or guardian
must be present in the room during the time of the massage.
No person shall sell, give, dispense, provide or keep or permit
the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages on the licensed premises.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to massage any other person or
give or administer any of the other things mentioned in this chapter
which violate the provisions of this chapter or which violate any
municipal or state law or ordinance. Any violation of this chapter
shall be deemed grounds for revocation of the permit granted hereunder.
B. Any massage practitioner engaged in massage at an unlicensed massage
establishment shall be guilty of a violation of this chapter.
No person granted a permit pursuant to this section shall operate
under any name or conduct his or her business under any designation
for any location not specified in his or her permit. This section
shall in no way effect the permittee's ability to provide out-call
service should the permittee be otherwise in compliance with the provisions
of this chapter.
Massage establishment permits are not transferable, separate
or divisible, and such authority as a permit confers shall be conferred
only on the permittee named therein for the location specified therein
only.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to massage or
physical therapy treatments given:
A. In the office of a licensed physician, chiropractor or physical therapist.
B. In a regularly established medical center, hospital or sanatorium
having a staff which includes licensed physicians, chiropractors and/or
physical therapists.
C. By any licensed physician, chiropractor or physical therapist in
the residence of his or her patient.
The Director of Health may, after a public hearing, make and
enforce reasonable rules and regulations not in conflict with, but
to carry out, the intent of this chapter.
All persons who presently operate a massage establishment must
apply for a permit within 90 days of the effective date of this chapter.
Applications for renewal of permits must be filed not more than two
months nor less than one month prior to termination of an existing
permit.
Any person who shall make false statements in any application
for a permit under this chapter or in any record that he is required
to maintain under this chapter shall be guilty of violating this chapter.
A. No person shall engage in the practice of massage as a licensed massage
therapist or present, call or represent oneself as a licensed massage
therapist unless licensed pursuant to N.J.S.A. 45:11-53 et seq.
B. No person shall assume, represent, or use the title or designation
"massage or bodywork therapist," "licensed massage and bodywork therapist"
or any title or designation which includes the words "massage," "bodywork,"
"masseur," "masseuse," "shiatsu," "acupressure," "ac-cupressure,"
"accu-pressure," "nuad bo'rarn," "amma," "anma," "chi nei tsang,"
"tuina," "polarity educator," "polarity therapist," "polarity therapy,"
"polarity practitioner," or any of the abbreviations, "MT," "BT,"
"MBT," "MBST," "CMBT," "COBT," "CMT," "LBT," "LMBST," "LMBT," "LABT,"
"LOBT," "AB," "ABT," "OB," "RPP," or "LMT," unless licensed under
N.J.S.A. 45:11-53 et seq.
Any person who violates or permits, aids or abets the violation
of any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be
punished by a fine not exceeding $2,000 or by imprisonment for a term
not exceeding 90 days, or both. A separate offense shall be deemed
committed on each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues.