Supervisors approve tougher rules on massage businesses to combat prostitution - The...

[massage]

Massage businesses face new, tougher rules, licensing requirements, fees and inspections after Kern County supervisors approved more regulation of the industry.


Tuesday’s vote by the Kern County Board of Supervisors was triggered by concerns from the public that prostitution and human trafficking had found a haven in some massage establishments in the unincorporated county.


Oildale business owner Lisa Woods, who made the initial complaint, thanked the board for addressing the problem.


“Oildale is a pretty downgraded place. But it's an amazing community and we are all trying to save it,” she said.


County Public Health Services Department staff confirmed the problem Woods described and drafted the tougher standards.


Deputy County Counsel Bryan Walters, speaking as a private citizen, was the only person to challenge a portion of the new rules.


He said he and his wife, who is a certified massage therapist and owns a massage business, are in support of the ordinance itself.


But he said the $1,600 annual fee to operate the business was a serious burden.


Assistant Public Health Services Director Brynn Carrigan said staffing the new regulations is expected to cost the county roughly $120,000 annually.


The $1,600 fee is that cost divided by the 75 massage businesses currently operating in the county jurisdiction.


Oildale barbershop owner Christopher Vaughn said for less than $150 a month the cost is reasonable and business owners are familiar with the costs of doing business.


He supports the ordinance because he has a questionable massage business operating next to him.


The tougher ordinance is good for the community, he said.


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