The North Ogden Planning Commission opened and then tabled proposed revisions to local code that would regulate massage establishments, citing the need for clearer licensing standards and alignment with state law.

Background: The City Council earlier enacted a temporary land-use regulation limiting new massage establishments while staff drafted stronger local standards. At the commission meeting staff recommended pausing final action and returning with a draft that would better verify professional licenses, require owner/operator accountability and create operational standards to help the licensing office screen applications.

Key issues identified by staff: Staff noted several enforcement and public-safety concerns that other cities have encountered and recommended a cautious approach. Topics flagged for drafting work included:

- DOPL licensing checks: require that all on-site massage therapists hold current state licenses and that those records be submitted with the business-license application.
- Owner accountability: review whether owners/operators (not just employees) should carry a license or registration and the city's ability to vet owners.
- Operational safeguards: consider window glazing/visibility, limitations on unmarked or private rooms, and clear retail/service distinctions so legitimate spas resemble retail/service businesses rather than opaque establishments.
- Pending state law: staff said a state statute under consideration could change licensing requirements in March and recommended waiting so the municipal code aligns with state rules.

Action taken: The commission opened the public hearing; no members of the public spoke. After discussion, the commission voted to table the item to allow staff to return with more detailed draft standards and to coordinate with the business-licensing office and the city attorney for enforceable language.

Why it matters: Massage businesses provide legitimate therapeutic and wellness services, but municipalities sometimes face enforcement difficulty when businesses operate outside professional licensing or when physical operations look like noncompliant uses. The city27s proposed code work is meant to ensure consumer protection and enforceable licensing checks while preserving legitimate businesses.

Next steps: Staff will return with draft code language tying local business-license review to DOPL records, proposing operational standards (visibility, retail sales, hours), and accounting for pending state changes before the moratorium expires.