Citrus Heights Considers Stricter Massage Business Rules Amid Crime Concerns

City council takes first steps to pass over a dozen new requirements for massage businesses in response to rise in illicit activity.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The city of Citrus Heights, California is looking to pass new regulations for massage businesses, including prohibiting therapists from wearing revealing clothing, banning table showers, and requiring disclosure of prior criminal charges. The city says these rules are aimed at reducing crime and protecting neighborhoods, though some massage therapists argue the proposed amendments go too far and unfairly target their profession.

Why it matters

Citrus Heights has seen a rise in the number of massage businesses in recent years, with more applications than the nearby cities of Roseville and Rancho Cordova combined. Law enforcement has made past busts at massage parlors in the area for crimes like prostitution and drug sales, prompting the city to consider tougher regulations to crack down on illicit activity while still supporting massage therapy as a legitimate health profession.

The details

The proposed 18 new massage regulations include prohibiting therapists from wearing revealing clothing, banning table showers, prohibiting sexually suggestive advertising, and requiring therapists to disclose prior criminal charges. City officials say these rules are similar to those passed in Roseville and Sacramento County, but some massage therapists argue they go too far and unfairly target their industry rather than focusing on health and safety.

  • This week, city councilmembers took the first steps toward passing the new massage business regulations.
  • The city council is scheduled to consider approving the proposed new regulations later this spring.

The players

Citrus Heights Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that has pushed for tougher massage regulations in response to past criminal activity at some massage businesses in the area.

Alison Bermudez

Citrus Heights senior planner who noted the city has seen an increase in massage business applications in recent months.

Kelsey Nelson

Citrus Heights city councilmember who stated the city wants to know if massage therapists have a criminal history, as that is "relevant when you're in a vulnerable situation with somebody."

Lauren McLachlan

A certified massage therapist who argued that some of Citrus Heights' proposed rules, like the dress code, go too far and unfairly target the massage industry rather than focusing on health and safety.

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What they’re saying

“For those who are the bad actors, we want to be able to hold them accountable.”

— Lieutenant William Dunning, Citrus Heights Police Department (CBS News)

“We want to know if you have a criminal history. I think that's relevant when you're in a vulnerable situation with somebody.”

— Kelsey Nelson, Citrus Heights City Councilmember (CBS News)

“These amendments are looking at more of a vice side than a health side. I ask you to take a look at today's massage world, not the one from the 1800s, where they were referred to as massage parlors. We're health providers.”

— Lauren McLachlan, Certified Massage Therapist (CBS News)

What’s next

The city council is scheduled to consider approving the proposed new massage business regulations later this spring.

The takeaway

Citrus Heights' efforts to impose stricter rules on massage businesses highlight the ongoing challenge of balancing public safety concerns with supporting legitimate health professionals in the industry. While the city aims to crack down on illicit activity, some massage therapists argue the proposed amendments unfairly target their profession rather than focusing on actual criminal behavior.