Canton Considers Massage Parlor Changes

CANTON, MI — Starting and maintaining a massage business in Canton could soon get a lot tougher. The Township’s Board of Trustees will consider ordinance changes on Tuesday that would restrict the number of massage businesses in Canton to 12 and tighten restrictions on where they could be located.

According to records, the township currently does not have limitations on the number of massage facilities permitted. Problems have also arisen in the past because some massage businesses haven’t renewed their licenses with Canton on a regular basis.

The ordinance changes aims to “provide for the protection of the health, safety and welfare of Township residents and massage business customers by ensuring the legitimate operation of such businesses, while prohibiting illegal and unlawful massage parlors.” Canton’s initial massage establishment ordinance was adopted in 2009.

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Earlier this year, problems surfaced with two Canton massage parlors, Mulan Massage Center LLC and Rebalance Wellness Center. The township denied their licenses, saying investigation revealed that women were habitually living at Mulan.

On Feb. 16, Canton’s Building Official revoked the Certificate of Occupancy for Mulan due to a lack of compliance with Canton Township Ordinances. A few days later, Canton Public Safety denied the application and a notification was sent to the business.

Meanwhile, Rebalance Wellness application for a massage establishment license was denied by Canton’s Public Safety Department for failing to meet zoning ordinance regulations. The business is located within 1,000 feet of another massage establishment.

The proposed ordinance changes would clarify zoning and other requirements. It would prohibit the location of establishments from within 1,000 feet of a nursery, primary, or secondary school; daycare center; library; recreational facility; or religious institution, according to township records.

Also, a 10 percent late fee would be included to encourage timely renewals
of licenses by massage businesses. Changes would also grant Canton’s Supervisor additional authority to issue an interim suspension until a public hearing was held.

If Canton’s Board approves the changes, the amended ordinance will be published on Aug. 3 and become effective on Sept. 2.

Photo by Hamza Butt via Flickr Commons