Everett deciding on new, tougher law for massage businesses
EVERETT, JUNE 1: At the behest of Everett Mayor, Cassie Franklin, the Everett City Council is on the verge of tougher laws on massage and reflexology businesses.
Franklin recently told city council members, “I’m seeing new massage places…every week”, ending her statement with a frustrated chortle.
Massage parlors is the usual phrase that gets bandied about, but if you’ve traveled around Everett, no doubt you’ve seen the red or rainbow-colored LED signs blinking in the front window, offering the service.
“There are numerous illicit massage businesses here in the city of Everett”, reported Lacey Offutt from the Everett City Attorney’s Office. “It’s been one of those problems that have been growing regionally and its growing at a pretty steady pace”, Offutt testified at a recent council meeting.
“We are seeing increased complaints from business that neighbor these other (massage) businesses from people who want to live and work in the areas where these businesses are popping up”, Offutt, who serves as a city police legal advisor, added
The proposed Everett ordinance could get adopted with a city council vote this Wednesday, June 3, at the regularly scheduled weekly meeting. Last week, city council Vice-President, Paula Rhyne, requested city staff include ordinance language that could also hold landlords and property owners accountable for the legal violations of tenants operating a massage business rather than just the business owner/operator, if legal culpability applies.
Offutt says the intention of the law is to adopt a city-level version of state law governing requirements, restrictions and penalties relating to the unlawful practice of massage and reflexology.
Reflexology is defined as a type of massage that involves applying different amounts of pressure to the feet, hands, and ears, according to the website Healthline.com. Reflexology is based on the theory that your hands, feet, and ears are connected to certain organs and body systems. People who practice this technique may refer to themselves as reflexologists. Massage therapists may also offer reflexology.
The proposed Everett ordinance–clamping down on massage businesses–would establish penalties for providing massage or reflexology services in the city without first having a required state massage license or reflexology certification.
Restriction of hours for massage business operation is also a component of the new ordinance to prevent late night and early morning traffic at such locations.
Offutt advised the city council members on May 20th the new ordinance is, “insuring standards are met and maintained” when operating in Everett.
On June 3, the Everett City Council is scheduled to take action on Council Bill 2605-28, a Massage and Reflexology Services Ordinance. The council meeting commences at 6:30 p.m. at council chambers, 3002 Wetmore Ave.
Police in nearby Bothell, Wash., raided five massage businesses on April 14, 2026 according to a city press release, “Following extensive work by Bothell Police detectives, patrol, and Community Crime Reduction Team, multiple search warrants were served at five massage parlors suspected of permitting prostitution on their premises.”
Bothell officials added, “Investigations of this nature can, at times, reveal a nexus to human trafficking.” Everett officials have voiced similar concerns about the necessity for stricter laws on massage businesses during recent city council meetings.