New massage business application

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Apply online

Step 1.Before you apply

Read the ordinance for this license under "Municipal Code" on the right side of the page to make sure this license is right for you.

Step 2.Zone use permit

The Zone use permit has to be zoned for one of the following: "Retail Sales, Service & Repair, All Others", "Dental/Medical Office or Clinic", "Retail, Service, Repair, Consumer, Small Scale", or "Clinic, Office, Laboratory, Dental or Medical"

This license requires a zoning use permit.

A zoning use permit grants the applicant/owner of a lot, building, or structure permission for the requested use of the land. "Use" can be any activity, occupation, business, or operation in a building or on a lot/tract of land.

If you currently do not have a zone use permit, you may apply instead with a Acknowledgement of Zone Use Permit(PDF, 87KB). This will allow you to begin your application while you secure a proper zone use permit. Your license will not issue until a proper zone use permit has submitted. Applications that fail to provide a zone use permit will not issue or be eligible for a refund.

  1. Before contacting Zoning, email CPD Records to ask if there's an existing zoning use permit for your address. Allow up to 10 business days for them to respond.
  2. If they respond there isn't a zoning use permit for your address, then contact Zoning to apply for a permit. They will tell you if you're zoned for the use. Allow up to 10 business days for them to respond.

Email

cpd.permitrecords@denvergov.org

zoning.review@denvergov.org

Step 3.Watch the online training videos 

Online training videos provide helpful and detailed overviews of the application process. They are on the Online Training Videos webpage. They show how to register for an account, how to complete licensed establishment and entity registration records, and how to apply for new business licenses or amendments.

Step 4.Register for a new account 

Register for an account, if you haven't already, in Denver’s Permitting and Licensing Center. For help, navigate to the online training videos and watch the guide for how to register for a new account.

Step 5.Gather all required documents

Make sure you have everything from the "Required documents" section below.

Important notes to keep in mind about your documents:

  • All materials must be digital files saved as a .pdf or .jpg. Do not include any other file types. The Department of Excise and Licenses cannot accept other file types.
  • Use numbers or letters but not characters such as symbols (/ ? < > \ : * | “ ^) or spaces that could cause complications.
    • For example:
      • Good filename: drivers-license-name-2022.pdf
      • Bad filename: last name/ id.pdf
  • In some cases, you might need to combine documents and upload them in a single .pdf. You can use a free, online tool to merge documents into a single file. 
  • Legal documents must be signed, dated and executed. All pages of large legal documents (such as a lease) must be included in the application.
  • All materials must be legible. 
  • Incomplete applications will be rejected.

Step 6.Apply in Denver's Online Permitting and Licensing Center 

In Denver's Online Permitting and Licensing Center:

  • Under Business/Occupational, Short-Term and Residential Rental Licensing, click "Apply New."
  • Select the type of license you want to get and click "Continue Application."
    • Application package contains the following licenses: Child care center, residential rental property, retail tobacco store, massage business, marijuana licenses, retail food, retail food-commissary based, wholesale food and wholesale food-commissary based.
  • Read the introduction page and click "Continue."

This will begin the application process.

You can save and resume within 30 days any time during the process. After 30 days, you must start again.

Go to the Online Training Videos webpage to guide you.

After the online application is complete, you will be prompted to submit fees in the online portal. These can be paid with a bank account or a Visa, Mastercard, or Discover card.

Step 7.Pay required fees 

Application fee: 
$500

License fee: 
$250

Step 8.City application review and next steps

Excise and Licenses tries to conduct an initial review of a complete application within seven business days. The review process might take longer if it is incomplete or requires police review (if applicable).

  • All application-related communications will be sent through email, from EXLNotifications@denvergov.org. Do not respond to these emails as this inbox is not monitored.
  • If the application is incomplete, the applicant will receive a "notice of deficiency" email. This allows 14 days for corrections. License endorsement requests and incidents on a background check need police review.
  • All applications will be closed if they are not completed within 12 months.

Step 9.Required inspections

An inspection notice will be emailed after the review is complete. Inspections required for this license, listed by department, are below under "Required inspections."

Step 10.License issuance

Once approved, the applicant is emailed a copy of the business license. This allows the license holder to start operating.

The licensee should read "Once you have your license" below and follow the requirements.

During the process, a package will be assembled from the following three sections of the application.

All documents must be submitted in the online application as a pdf or jpeg document. We are not able to open in other file type.

A licensed establishment application

This captures information about the location where the massage business will be operated. You will need to provide:

  • A valid Denver address
  • A zoning use permit issued at the address of your licensed establishment that demonstrates the following uses:
    • Personal care and professional services.
    • The name of the business on the zoning use permit does not have to match the license holder name.
    • If you do not have a zoning use permit but need to submit an application for a business license, you can submit an acknowledgment of zoning use permit(PDF, 87KB). No business license will be issued without a zoning use permit provided by Denver Development Services. The acknowledgement of zoning use permit only allows you to submit your application. It will remain pending until you submit your actual zoning use permit to Denver Department of Excise and Licenses.
    • Details for one to three on-site managers, including their name, date of birth, home address and contact information. On-site managers are individual(s) designated who have the authority to make decisions regarding the licensed establishment. They must have access to and control over the licensed establishment at all times.
    • A copy of a valid state or federally issued ID for each on-site manager listed.

    Entity registration application

    This application captures ownership information about the person or entity that will hold the license. You must provide:

    • Your entity type.
    • True name of the entity or person who will hold the license.
    • List of any trade names under which the entity operates.
    • Details about any individual who owns part of the entity, including their name, date of birth, home address, and contact information. This includes all officers and directors. Also, any members or shareholders that own 10% or more of the business entity.
    • A valid state or federally issued ID for each natural person listed as an owner.
    • Corporations, LLCs, and partnerships will be asked to upload a copy of their organizational documents, such as bylaws, an operating agreement, a partnership agreement, articles of incorporation, certificate of good standing, etc., as applicable.
    • A FBI background check for any owner, officer, or director listed, completed no more than sixty (60) days before the application date.
      • FBI documents must be uploaded as one file. The file must be in chronological order and the pages cannot be upside down. For example, pages 1-10 should all be right side-up and in one file. If they are not uploaded correctly, they will be returned to be uploaded correctly.
        • Applicants can get an FBI background check from the FBI website, Colorado Fingerprinting or IdentoGO.
          • You may go to the FBI website to pick the option that best fits your needs to obtain the FBI Background Check.
          • Colorado Fingerprinting has three locations open for 24-48 hour FBI background checks, locations below:
            • Downtown 110 16th St 8th Floor Denver CO 80202 Open M-F 8am-4pm
            • Kalamath 301 Kalamath St STE 102 Denver CO 80223 Open M-F 8:30am-6pm; Sat 9am-1pm
            • Belmar 8015 W Alameda Ave Lakewood CO 80226 Open M-F 9am-5pm
          • With IdentoGO, you can visit their website to find a location and schedule an appointment www.identogo.com.
          • Colorado Fingerprinting and IdentoGO may ask you for an account number or service codes. Please let them know that this is not required to obtain your own FBI report. Also, since the FBI, Colorado Fingerprinting and IdentoGO are not a part of the City and County of Denver, I do not know how accurate this information is. I would suggest to visit their website or call them to confirm any information prior to obtaining a FBI report.

        Any entity or person that will hold multiple licenses in Denver will only have to complete this application once. If the same entity owns multiple locations and will apply for multiple licenses, you should re-use the entity registration number provided to you after your initial application.

        A massage business license application

        This application verifies you are eligible to obtain a massage business license and reviews the rules and laws you must abide by.

      • Business Employer Identification Number (EIN).
      • If applicable, a copy of your Denver City Sales Tax License(PDF, 185KB).
      • If necessary, information about any felony, misdemeanor, or municipal ordinance violation (other than traffic violations), the nature of the offense, the penalty or punishment imposed, and the date and place where such offense occurred by the applicant or any principal.
      • If necessary, information regarding a license under this or any other massage business statute or ordinance, denied, suspended, or revoked, the name and location of the massage business for which such license was denied, suspended, or revoked, and the date of such denial, suspension, or revocation occurred by the applicant or a principal.
      • If necessary, the details of any judgment for fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation ever entered against the applicant or any principal.
      • If necessary, a list of any previously operated massage business, including the name, dates of operation, and location of such business or businesses by the applicant or any principal.
  • Building business license inspection (720) 913-1311
  • Fire business license inspection (720) 913-3409

License must be displayed

Excise and Licenses will email a professional license to all licensees. This license (or a clear picture of it) must always be displayed.

Requirement to keep contact information up to date

File an online amendment application to notify the Department of any contact information changes (place of business, onsite manager, etc.). These updates must be filed within 72 hours of the change. 

Requirement to renew annually

Professional licenses expire annually. It is unlawful to operate with an expired license. Renewal applications must be filed online before a license expires.