Apply for a Massage or Public Bath Permit

In addition to a state license, permits are required for massage parlors or public baths to operate in the City of St. Louis. This serves as the business license for the establishment. Read below for instructions to obtain the permit.

Ordinance 68327 governs this process.

Review Instructions

Please read all the instructions on this page carefully before applying, including the What to Expect section, as this information will give you an idea of the scope of the process and how long it might take.

Prepare Documents

You will need to attach all of these to your online application.

• Before getting your city license, you will need to obtain your Missouri state license. You'll need a certified or original copy for the city application.
• You will also need a business occupancy permit.
• You will need to provide a police background check on yourself. Learn how to obtain a police background check.
• You will need to provide your official fingerprints. Find a local fingerprinting service.
• You will need to provide two portrait photographs of yourself at least 2x2 inches
• You will need a birth certificate or driver's license.

Application Information

Information that you will need for the application:

1. Legal name and address of your establishment (trade name or Doing Business As name)
2. Your legal name, address, phone number and email address
3. Your date and place of birth
4. Have you ever been convicted of any crime except traffic violations?
5. 3 years' employment history:
   • Manager/supervisor first and last name
   • Business/company name
   • Address
   • Phone number
   • Email
6. Business information:
   •  Exact nature of the massage or services to be administered
7. Business license information:
   • Has any previous business or occupational license of yours been suspended or revoked?
   • If so, for what reason?
8. Documents to attach to the application:
   • Occupancy permit
   • Certified copy of the state massage license
   • Two (2) portrait photographs at least 2x2 inches
   • Police background check
   • Two fingerprint cards
   • Birth certificate or driver's license

We accept .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .tiff, .bmp, .pdf, .txt, .rtf, .csv, .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx or .zip files under 50 MB.

Use the Begin Online button to start your application.

Begin Online

You will receive an e-mail confirmation of the application at the point of contact email you provided. The confirmation e-mail will also include instructions to check the status of your application.

Your application will be referred to the City of St. Louis Health Department for inspection. The Health Department will contact you to schedule a date/time to inspect the proposed facility.

After the Health Department inspection, recommendations will be sent to the BPS Office of the Secretary, and a hearing will be scheduled 3-4 weeks later.

Certified letters will be mailed to all parties notifying them of the scheduled hearing. Hearings are held on Tuesdays at 1:45 pm and are subject to approval by the Board of Directors.

If approved, the permit will be issued to you within 24-48 hours. Your business license can be obtained in the License Collector’s Office, Room 104.

For information about permits, please contact Michele Knox at knoxm@stlouis-mo.gov, (314) 622-4627.