After several public hearings and revisions, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance regulating spa/massage establishments on a 4-0 vote.
The ordinance resulted from concern that such businesses could become havens for prostitution and other crimes. It requires them to get an annually-renewable license similar to an alcohol license and mandates workers not already state-licensed get permits.
The ordinance also allows the sheriff’s office to exempt businesses from the regulations at its discretion and sets up nuts-and-bolts provisions governing record-keeping, hours of operation and other facets.
At a pre-vote public hearing, speakers protested a provision requiring a licensed massage therapist be on duty all hours a business is open, saying that would be an operational burden. But County Attorney Ken Jarrard said officials felt it was needed, to avoid providing a loophole that could lead to illegal activities.
The ordinance goes into effect Jan. 1.
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