Sec. 24-1. - Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:

Health club. Any establishment which offers service in the form of massage, baths, exercise or similar services, in combination to club members, or to the public for a fee.

Massage. A method of treating the external parts of the body for remedial or hygienic purposes, consisting of rubbing, stroking, kneading or tapping with the hand or any instrument. For the purposes of this chapter, the word "massage" shall not include those performed in hospitals, nursing homes, medical clinics or the offices or quarters of a physician, chiropractor or osteopath; nor shall it include a massage of the face, scalp or neck administered in a barbershop or beauty parlor operated under Chapter 9 of this Code; nor shall it include those performed by persons (i) who are then currently certified to perform massages by the American Massage Therapy Association, those (ii) who have successfully passed the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Body Work, or (iii) who are certified by the Associated Bodyworkers and Massage Professionals organization.

Massage parlor. An establishment having a fixed place of business where any person engages in, conducts or carries on, or permits to be engaged in, conducted or carried on, any business of giving Turkish, Russian, Swedish, vapor, sweat, electric, salt, magnetic or any other kind or character of massage, bath, alcohol rub, fomentation, manipulation, of the body or similar procedures.

(Ord. No. 1600; Code 1961, § 21C-1; Ord. No. 3862-89; Ord. No. 4429-93; Ord. No. 4649-94)

Sec. 24-2. - Service not to be rendered to persons of opposite sex.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for any person to operate, either as a public or private facility, any massage parlor, health club or similar type establishment, where any physical contact or massage with the recipient of the service provided by such establishment is provided by a person of the opposite sex.

(b)

It shall be unlawful for any employee, individual, owner or operator of such establishment to give or administer a massage to a member of the opposite sex.

(c)

Any person convicted of a violation of this section shall be punished as for a Class 1 misdemeanor and, in addition, the commissioner of the revenue shall revoke the license of the establishment wherein the violation took place.

(Ord. No. 1600; Code 1961, §§ 21C-2, 21C-3)