Massage therapists and businesses in Encinitas will need professional certification under an ordinance the City Council approved on first reading Sept. 23.

Ordinance 2026-20 passed 4-0, according to the city's ordinance introduction notice. Council members Ehlers Lyndes, Luke Shaffer and Marco San Antonio joined Deputy Mayor Jim O'Hara in support. Council member Joy Lyndes was absent.

The measure amends two chapters of the Encinitas Municipal Code to require all massage professionals operating in the city to obtain and maintain certification from the California Massage Therapy Council, or CAMTC. It also removes references to the San Diego County Health Department from the city's massage business and technician permit rules, as instructed by the county.

The changes come after San Diego County ended its massage business permitting and inspection program, according to a recap by Encinitas Action. That left Encinitas without a county-level regulatory backstop for the industry.

Encinitas Action also reported that existing massage businesses and technicians would have one year to comply with the new certification requirement, with city outreach and quarterly notices during the transition period. Those details do not appear in the official ordinance introduction notice filed by City Clerk Pete Weichers.

CAMTC is a nonprofit created by the California Legislature that certifies massage professionals statewide. Certification requires at least 500 hours of approved education, a criminal background check and a fee, according to CAMTC. It is valid for two years.

While CAMTC certification is voluntary under state law, individual cities and counties can require it locally. Encinitas would join those jurisdictions if the ordinance clears its second reading.

The city determined the ordinance is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act review because it involves an administrative activity that will not result in a physical change to the environment.

Senior Planner Sara Cadona is the staff contact for the ordinance and can be reached at (760) 633-2697.

The council is scheduled to vote on final adoption at its Oct. 14 meeting, starting at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 505 S. Vulcan Ave. A separate short-term rental ordinance, No. 2026-15, also passed first reading 4-0 on Sept. 23 and is set for the same Oct. 14 agenda.