City's Ban to Massage Parlors May be Lifted

The city of Baldwin Park may eliminate this Wednesday a restriction that weighs over the opening of massage parlor businesses, if members of the council approve a modification the Planning Department has requested.

According to Amy Harbin, Baldwin Park City Planner, the modification would be for ordinance 1340, which was established in January 2011 and explicitly prohibits the opening of any massage or acupressure parlor after December 2010.

The modification is largely due to the fact that the city seeks to align itself with a new measure within the state’s Business and Profession Code, which requires that any establishment that has state certified masseuses be allowed to work in any area designated by the city for medical or dental professionals.

The change would likely allow other business of this type to come to the city. In the past, there have been complaints concerning these establishments in many California cities.

The ordinance of massage parlors has been regulated by the city since 1996, mainly concerning the area where these adult businesses may operate.

For example, in 1996 the city restricted massage parlors to not be near churches, adult businesses or schools. Through the years the ordinance has been modified at least in three more instances.

“This time it's something we need to modify,” Harbin mentioned.

Currently there are 2 licensed massage parlors businesses in the city: and

Before the City Council votes a hearing will be opened to the public so that residents may express their opinion about the ordinance modification.

Get news in your email, subscribe to newsletters |  Follow us on Facebook and Twitter | Want to Blog on Patch? | Claim your business or group's listing