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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />ORDINANCE NO. 4184-26 <br /> <br />An ORDINANCE Relating to massage and reflexology services and adding Chapter 8.72 to the <br />Everett Municipal Code (EMC) and amending Ordinance 3710-19 Section 1(EMC 3.19.240) and <br />prescribing penalties. <br /> <br />WHEREAS, <br /> <br />A. The Washington State legislature has determined that the practice of massage and <br />reflexology affects the public’s health, safety, and welfare, and has mandated licensing <br />and certification under chapters 18.108 and 18.103 Revised Code of Washington (RCW) <br />to ensure minimum standards of professional competence; <br />B. Chapter 18.108 RCW, Chapter 18.103 RCW, and Chapter 246-830 Washington <br />Administrative Code (WAC) provide a comprehensive framework for the professional <br />discipline and regulation of massage and reflexology practitioners, yet local government <br />plays a critical role in the oversight of business operations and infrastructure; <br />C. The State legislature criminalized the unlicensed practice of massage therapy and <br />reflexology in 2015 to protect public health and safety. State law provides for reasonable <br />inspections and regulation as may be necessary to support compliance with licensing and <br />operation requirements of massage therapy businesses; <br />D. Information obtained by city officials and law enforcement indicates that certain <br />establishments in the city, while advertising legitimate massage or reflexology services, <br />may be operating in violation of state and local law and facilitating conduct that <br />endangers the public and the individuals employed within those establishments; <br />E. Updating the Everett Municipal Code to align with state standards and establish clear local <br />enforcement mechanisms is necessary to prevent the unlicensed practice of massage and <br />reflexology, and to promote the health, safety, and welfare of the public and the local <br />business community; <br />F. City Council intends by this ordinance to regulate and enforce the lawful operation of <br />massage businesses as businesses, not to regulate the clinical practice of massage therapy <br />and reflexology; <br />G. City Council intends that this ordinance be administered in a content -neutral and <br />nondiscriminatory manner, with inspections limited to lawful purpose s and conducted <br />only as authorized by law. <br /> <br />NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY OF EVERETT DOES ORDAIN: <br /> <br />Section 1. A new Chapter of Title 8 is added to the Everett Municipal Code as follows: <br />