Encinitas massage businesses and technicians could face new permit rules under an ordinance the City Council will take up at a public hearing Wednesday, Sept. 23.

The hearing on Ordinance 2026-20 is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Council Chambers, 505 S. Vulcan Ave. The ordinance would amend two chapters of the Encinitas Municipal Code: Chapter 6.40, which governs permits for massage businesses, and Chapter 6.41, which covers permits for individual massage technicians. The changes would apply citywide.

The public hearing notice, published Friday, Sept. 4, in The Coast News, does not describe the specific amendments being proposed. Sara Cadona, senior planner with Encinitas Development Services, is the staff contact for the ordinance.

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

Residents who want to review the proposal before the hearing can contact the Development Services Department at (760) 633-2710 or [email protected]. Cadona can be reached at (760) 633-2697. Residents who need special assistance to participate should contact the City Clerk at (760) 633-2601 at least 72 hours before the meeting. Spanish-language assistance is available at (760) 943-2150.

Under California Government Code Section 65009, anyone who wishes to challenge the ordinance in court may be limited to raising only issues raised at the hearing or in written correspondence delivered to the city before the determination.