Alpharetta clarifies business rules for spas, massage parlors - Atlanta Journal Constitution

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Alpharetta is taking steps to be sure its regulations on massage and spa businesses are clear and uniform across city departments. Worries that some massage parlors can be connected to illegal activity is always a concern, a city spokesperson said.


Alpharetta has taken steps to remove mixed messages given to massage and spa businesses by the city by adjusting legal language to ensure the establishments are located at a required distance from churches, schools and other communities. It would also remove the limit on the number of such businesses allowed in the city.

Currently there are 21 massage and spa businesses in Alpharetta that includes body massage day spas, nail salons and places for waxing.

Kathi Cook, Alpharetta Community Development director noticed the city ordinance for massage and spa locations is confusing for businesses owners. Depending on the city department that they go to for licensing and permits, business owners might hear different requirements for approval. For instance, Public Safety shows Alpharetta’s ordinance for massage and spa businesses requires certain setbacks from streets, while Alpharetta’s version of the ordinance reads that there are no distance requirements, Cook said.

‘Basically, it wasn’t working very well,” said Cook, during a Planning Commission meeting on March 5. “We didn’t have distance requirements in our code. So, when we’re making a recommendation to the Planning Commission and City Council, we’re not saying ‘You have to meet this amount of distance from Old Milton and Main Street.’ …[The business owners] go over to Public Safety and they [find out that they] don’t meet that distance requirement.”

Generally, spa businesses are required to be 300 feet from Old Milton Parkway, Main Street, and parcels of land where there is a house of worship, an elementary or middle school, daycare center, public park, or a home.

Cook proposed that language be corrected in the city’s codes making it the same for all departments.

“That’s always something the city keeps an eye on,” said James Drinkard, assistant city administrator. “If something suspicious] starts to show up and you don’t address it, it becomes a growing issue. That’s why most local jurisdictions have some strict regulations; just to make sure the ones operating are reputable and not operating in any illegal activity.”

Roswell has also recently discussed a possible resurgence in massage parlors within its borders engaging in illegal activity. Last month the Roswell City Council discussed the need for more strict zoning and licensing requirements for the establishments.

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