50 signatures reached
To: LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and LA County Department of Regional Planning
LEGALIZE THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE IN TOPANGA
As of January 1, 2026, with Assembly Bill AB 1504, California officially recognized California Massage Therapy Council-certified (CAMTC-certifed) massage therapists as health care providers, shifting the profession from 'personal service' to 'health care service' and theoretically providing professional licensed massage therapists with better legal standing regarding licensing, regulation, and zoning. The bill offers professional recognition similar to chiropractors and physical therapists, thus pivoting massage away from the stigma of sex work affiliation, and aligning massage therapists with other legitimate medical professionals.
This is all in theory; local government still reserves the right to interpret the law.
In Topanga, California, practicing massage therapy is still, in almost all cases, ILLEGAL.
In Topanga, California, practicing massage therapy is still, in almost all cases, ILLEGAL.
Historically, massage has been grouped with vice-controlled operations.
In Topanga, the board of supervisors and CA Coastal Commissions codified a C-1 zoning code to the entire Santa Monica Mountains area, with some properties falling into R&R. That means in order to rent a business space, your business must fall into the C-1 or R&R category. Medical professionals - acupuncturists, chiropractors, skincare providers - are within C-1. Currently, massage therapists fall into another category: C-3, along with amphitheaters, bowling alleys, marajuana shops, and strip clubs. Even a massage therapy business that opens in a C-3 zone must comply with a buffer, not operating near 'youth oriented' buildings such as day care, parks, or libraries.
Additionally, massage cannot legally be offered as a stand alone service in Topanga, even at a medical establishment already operating as such. Said LA County Dept of Regional Planning: "massage cannot be offered as a separate service—only as part of an overall treatment plan devised by a medical professional." AND "A massage business is not an allowed use in the C-1 or C-2 zones under any circumstances."
Circumstances have changed. Certified Massage Therapists ARE now medical professionals, yet LA County refuses to see them as such or honor recent legislation in their favor.
Circumstances have changed. Certified Massage Therapists ARE now medical professionals, yet LA County refuses to see them as such or honor recent legislation in their favor.
The County of Los Angeles is making a choice to interpret the grey area of massage therapy, shutting down opportunities for therapists to further their livelihood by becoming business owners.
The principal planner with Coastal Development Services & LA County's Dept. of Regional Planning wrote that massage therapists are 'a particular type of medical professional that requires additional regulation. Whether that is fair or necessary is not my call." It obviously is neither fair nor necessary.
I question the deliberate limitation of massage therapy despite a landmark bill to legitimize the profession and offer therapists the same legal protections as other medical professionals.
Aside from AB 1504, in 2008 Governor Schwarzenegger signed the CA Massage Therapy act into law, including section 4603.1, which states:
"Local governments shall impost and enforce only reasonable and necessary fees and regulations on massage businesses and establishments, in keeping with the requirements of existing law and being mindful of the need to protect legitimate business owners and massage professionals, particularly sole providers."
Ultimately, it falls to the LA County Supervisor's office to work directly with the office of strategic planning, enforcing the laws to protect - not handcuff - ALL medical professionals, including certified massage therapists. Ms. Horvath's office told me directly that the best course of action was to get loud, get signatures, and then come back to them.
I ask for CAMTC-certified massage therapists to be exclusively categorized as medical professionals in line with acupuncturists and chiropractors, and without additional regulation, thereby enabled to operate a business in C-1 commercial zones or anywhere else a medical professional is allowed to operate a business - in Topanga and the entirety of the unincorporated area of the Santa Monica Mountains.
Why is this important?
Recognizing certified massage therapists (CMTs) as legitimate medical professionals strengthens both public health and community well-being. Certified massage therapists complete accredited training, pass standardized examinations, and adhere to professional and ethical regulations - ensuring safe, evidence-based care. Their work supports pain management, injury recovery, stress reduction, and overall physical and mental health, often complementing the care provided by physicians, physical therapists, acupuncturists, and chiropractors.
By not giving CMTs the same opportunities afforded to the aforementioned medical professionals, the County of Los Angeles limits its residents from accessing local health care. CMTs are integrated into the healthcare system already - anyone who has ever benefitted from a therapeutic massage in LA County should want to see the massage profession thrive - because when it thrives, we all do.
And where one is shamed and oppressed, we all are.
By not giving CMTs the same opportunities afforded to the aforementioned medical professionals, the County of Los Angeles limits its residents from accessing local health care. CMTs are integrated into the healthcare system already - anyone who has ever benefitted from a therapeutic massage in LA County should want to see the massage profession thrive - because when it thrives, we all do.
And where one is shamed and oppressed, we all are.