County Commission OKs limits on massage businesses

A half-dozen massage therapists looked tense as they spoke against a proposed rule to restrict when and where they could ply their trade.

As it turned out, most of them won't be directly affected by the new rule that the Clark County Commission approved in a unanimous vote Wednesday.

Designed to combat brothels masked as therapeutic clinics, the rule will limit the hours of a new standalone massage establishment from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

A new massage business also must be at least 200 feet from a residential area and 1,000 feet from another massage business.

The word "new" was key. Existing operators will be exempt from the ordinance.

This grandfather clause made the rule more palatable because it won't punish those who have worked for years to gain a foothold, said Allen Lichtenstein, an attorney representing about 60 local massage businesses.

"We've come a long way since the rule was first proposed," Lichtenstein said, glancing at dozens of his clients seated in the auditorium, most of them Asian.

He argued that it made no sense to limit hours for getting a massage in a tourism hub where restaurants, gyms and stores stay open 24 hours.

Also exempt from the rule: therapists who work in resort hotels or with a state-approved medical practitioner; and chair massages in which clients are fully clothed.

Most therapists acted surprised when they learned of the exemptions, saying they were never told that the proposed rule was softened.

However, the rule will affect anyone in the future looking to set up a massage practice, they said.

Carleen Hall, 25, just graduated from the Nevada School of Massage Therapy and is preparing to take tests for her state license. Hall said she paid $15,000 in tuition and other fees and hopes to start a local massage business.

She would like to tap into Las Vegas' vibrant, 24-hour business environment the same way existing therapists do.

"Honestly, that's why I'm here today," Hall said.

Several therapists said they were tired of their profession being lumped in with an illicit trade. "Prostitution has been linked to massage therapy for no other reason than sheer ignorance on those who claim every single one of us licensed to practice massage therapy must be soliciting sex," said Laura Stendel, operations director for Casino'ssage in Las Vegas.

Stendel estimated she will pay more than $1,400 in fees this year for licensing, insurance and continuing education. Instead of picking on those who are trying to make an honest living, authorities should make a more concerted assault on the area's prostitution rings, she said.

Las Vegas Detective Stacy Rodd said police find prostitution in one out of every four late-night raids on massage parlors. For that reason, limiting hours seems a sensible tactic, he said.

Complaints from residents about massage parlors proliferating near their neighborhoods drove the discussion to toughen rules, Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani said.

Future therapists will have to view the stricter ordinance as a drawback in the profession, much the way teachers must contend with low pay, Commissioner Susan Brager said. "It seems extremely fair ... extremely accommodating."

Contact reporter Scott Wyland at swyland@reviewjournal.com or 702-455-4519.