SB Proposed Massage Ordinance 1/15/26

The City of Santa Barbara’s Ordinance Committee met for a second time (Tuesday, January 13) to discuss the proposed massage ordinance. Among other provisions aimed at combatting human trafficking in the community, the current proposal aims to update local massage rules to align with the state’s stricter massage regulations. However, some of these arbitrary requirements will create significant burdens on massage practitioners and business owners, while doing little to further goal of combatting human trafficking. The Ordinance Committee unanimously requested alternatives to these provisions and directed staff to conduct more community and cultural outreach before the ordinance returns to the full City Council in Spring 2026, aligning with the advocacy of the Chamber and others who participated in the public hearings. Read more.