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Adult-Oriented Businesses

Back Massage

The City of Edmonton’s Business Licence Bylaw outlines the following categories and regulations for adult-oriented businesses:

PLEASE NOTE: You must apply in person for all adult-oriented licence categories and must arrive at least 30 minutes before our office closes so we have enough time to process your application.

Adult Theatre

This category is described as "a facility offering video entertainment of an erotic nature, the main feature of which is the nudity or partial nudity of any person."

There are special application requirements but no special business licence regulations for this category, other than the need for a licence. Edmonton Fire Rescue and the Edmonton Police Service are asked for a recommendation on applications for this category of business.

Application Requirements

Applications must include:

  • If you are a corporation, you need to submit the full name, date of birth, and recent Edmonton Police Information Check for all primary managers, owners, partners, directors and officers of the corporation.
  • If you are an individual, you need to submit your full name, date of birth, and recent Edmonton Police Information Check.

Body Rub Centre

This category is described as "a premises or any part thereof where members of the general public attend, are invited to attend, or through which they may arrange an appointment to receive the physical external manipulation of the soft tissues of the human body for a fee, including any manipulation of an adult or erotic nature, but not including Health Enhancement Centres."

There are special regulations and application requirements for this category. Edmonton Fire Rescue and the Edmonton Police Service are asked for a recommendation, and Alberta Health Services is notified when an application is submitted for this type of business.

Application Requirements

Applications must include:

  • If you are a corporation, you need to submit the full name, date of birth, and recent Edmonton Police Information Check for all primary managers, owners, partners, directors and officers of the corporation.
  • If you are an individual, you need to submit your full name, date of birth, and recent Edmonton Police Information Check.

Regulations

Body Rub Centres must:

  • Maintain a list of all your employees that includes their full name, date of birth, any pseudonyms or aliases, telephone number, and Body Rub Practitioner business licence number.
  • Produce the list of employees when it is requested by a Peace Officer.
  • Only employ Body Rub Practitioners that have been licensed by the City of Edmonton.
  • Only advertise your business using telephone numbers, names, email addresses, and Internet addresses that have been previously provided to the City.
  • Display your Body Rub Centre business licence number on any advertisements placed on the Internet, or in any newspaper, magazine, or periodical.
  • Ensure that there are at least two employees working in your business whenever it is open to the public.

Temportary restrictions on new Body Rub Centre licences

On June 23, 2015, City Council passed an amendment to the Business Licence Bylaw temporarily restricting the issuance of new Body Rub Centre licences until April 1, 2016.

A new licence is required any time that the legal ownership of a Body Rub Centre changes or a current Body Rub Centre changes location. This is because licences are specific to licensee and to location. If either of those two things change, a new licence application is required and would not be granted during the period of the restriction from June 23, 2015 to April 1, 2016.

Please make sure you understand these regulations, which are outlined in the Business Licence Bylaw. If you require more information or clarification of these regulations, contact us by calling 311.

Body Rub Practitioner

This category is described as "a person who administers or offers to administer the physical external manipulation of the soft tissues of the human body for a fee, including any manipulation of an adult or erotic nature, but not including Heath Enhancement Practitioners."

There are special regulations and application requirements for this category. The Edmonton Police Service is asked for a recommendation on applications for this category of business.

Application Requirements

Applications must include:

  • Your full name, date of birth, and recent
    Edmonton Police Information Check.
  • Two pieces of government-issued identification (at least one must have a photo) that show you are at least 18 years old.
  • Proof that you have completed the required information course.
  • A list of any pseudonyms or aliases you use and all the websites that are used to promote your services.
  • The address of the Body Rub Centre where you will be working.
  • Your photograph will be taken by the City when your application is submitted.

Regulations

Body Rub Practitioners must:

  • Notify the City if you stop working for your current Body Rub Centre, or start working at different Body Rub Centre.
  • Display your Body Rub Practitioner business licence number on any advertisements placed on the Internet, or in any newspaper, magazine, or periodical.
  • Only work in a Body Rub Centre that has been licensed by the City of Edmonton.
  • Notify the City if there are changes to any of the websites you use to advertise your services.

Please make sure you understand these regulations, which are outlined in the Business Licence Bylaw. If you require more information or clarification of these regulations, contact us by calling 311.

Escort

This category is described as "a person who charges or receives a fee for acting as a date or providing personal companionship for a limited period of time."

There are special regulations and application requirements for this category. The Edmonton Police Service is asked for a recommendation and Alberta Health Services is notified when an application is submitted for this type of business.

Application Requirements

Applications must include:

  • Your full name, date of birth, and recent
    Edmonton Police Information Check.
  • Two pieces of government-issued identification (at least one must have a photo) that show you are at least 18 years old.
  • Proof that you have completed the required information course.
  • A list of any pseudonyms or aliases you use and all the websites that are used to promote your services.
  • The name of the Escort Agency that will be providing your introduction services.
  • Your photograph will be taken by the City when your application is submitted.

Regulations

Escorts must:

  • Only advertise your services using telephone numbers, names, e-mail addresses, or Internet addresses that have been previously provided to the City.
  • Display your Escort business licence number on any advertisements placed on the Internet, or in any newspaper, magazine, or periodical.
  • Only allow an Escort Agency that has been licensed by the City of Edmonton to arrange your introductions.
  • Notify the City if there are changes to any of the websites you use to advertise your services.

Please make sure you understand these regulations, which are outlined in the Business Licence Bylaw. If you require more information or clarification of these regulations, contact us by calling 311.

If your current licence was issued in 2011, you must follow the old regulations in the Escort Licensing Bylaw until your licence expires. The new regulations listed above will apply once your current licence expires and is renewed in 2012.

Escort Agency

This category is described as "a person who charges or receives a fee for arranging an introduction between an Escort and another person."

An Independent Escort Agency is described as "a person who acts as an Escort Agency for only one Escort."

There are special regulations and application requirements for this category. The Edmonton Police Service are asked for a recommendation, and Alberta Health Services is notified when an application is submitted for this type of business.

Application Requirements

Applications must include:

  • If you are a corporation, you need to submit the full name, date of birth, and recent Edmonton Police Information Check for all primary managers, owners, partners, directors and officers of the corporation.
  • If you are an individual, you need to submit your full name, date of birth, and a recent Edmonton Police Information Check.
  • If you are applying for an Independent Escort Agency Licence, proof that you have completed the required information course.
  • If you are an individual, two pieces of government-issued identification (at least one must have a photo) that show you are at least 18 years old.
  • A list of any websites that promote your business.
  • Your photograph will be taken by the City when your application is submitted.

Regulations

Escort Agencies must:

  • Maintain a written work log that includes:
    • the full name and Escort business licence number of each Escort for which you provide introductory services.
    • a list of all employees that work for your business.
    • a list of all the names, telephone numbers, and email addresses used to promote your business.
    • the date, time, and location of every introduction provided for each Escort.
  • Produce your written log book to any Peace Officer that requests to see it.
  • Only advertise your services using telephone numbers, names, e-mail addresses, or Internet addresses that have been previously provided to the City.
  • Display your Escort Agency business licence number on any advertisements placed on the Internet, or in any newspaper, magazine, or periodical.
  • Notify the City if there are changes to any of the websites you use to advertise your business.
  • Only provide introductions for Escorts that have been licensed by the City of Edmonton.
  • If you are an Independent Escort Agency, you can not provide introductory services for any Escorts other than yourself.

Please make sure you understand these regulations, which are outlined in the Business Licence Bylaw. If you require more information or clarification of these regulations, contact us by calling 311.

If your current licence was issued in 2011, you must follow the old regulations in the Escort Licensing Bylaw until your licence expires. The new regulations listed above will apply once your current licence expires and is renewed in 2012.

Exotic Entertainer

This category is described as "a person who charges or receives a fee for a nude or semi-nude performance."

There are special regulations and application requirements for this category. The Edmonton Police Service are asked for a recommendation, and Alberta Health Services is notified when an application is submitted for this type of business.

Application Requirements

Applications must include:

  • Your full name, date of birth, and recent
    Edmonton Police Information Check.
  • Two pieces of government-issued identification (at least one must have a photo) that show you are at least 18 years old.
  • The name and telephone number of your booking agent, if you have one.
  • The address of the licensed Exotic Entertainment Venue where you will be performing.
  • Your photograph will be taken by the City when your application is submitted.

Regulations

Exotic Entertainers must:

  • Only advertise your services using telephone numbers, names, e-mail addresses, or Internet addresses that have been previously provided to the City.
  • Display your Exotic Entertainer business licence number on any advertisements placed on the Internet, or in any newspaper, magazine, or periodical.
  • Notify the City if there are changes to any of the websites you use to advertise your services.

Please make sure you understand these regulations, which are outlined in the Business Licence Bylaw. If you require more information or clarification of these regulations, contact us by calling 311.

If your current licence was issued in 2011, you must follow the old regulations in the Exotic Entertainers Bylaw until your licence expires. The new regulations listed above will apply once your current licence expires and is renewed in 2012.

Exotic Entertainment Agency

This category is described as "employing or acting for or on behalf of an Exotic Entertainer."

There are special regulations and application requirements for this category. The Edmonton Police Service is asked for a recommendation on applications for this category of business.

Application Requirements

Applications must include:

  • If you are a corporation, you need to submit the full name, date of birth, and recent Edmonton Police Information Check for all primary managers, owners, partners, directors and officers of the corporation.
  • If you are an individual, you need to submit your full name, date of birth, and a recent Edmonton Police Information Check.
  • If you are an individual, two pieces of government-issued identification (at least one must have a photo) that show you are at least 18 years old.
  • A list of any websites that promote your business.

Regulations

Exotic Entertainment Agencies must:

  • Maintain a list of all your employees that includes their full name, date of birth, any pseudonyms or aliases, telephone number, and Exotic Entertainer business licence number.
  • Produce the list of employees when it is requested by a Peace Officer.
  • Only employ Exotic Entertainers that have been licensed by the City of Edmonton.
  • Notify the City if there are changes to any of the websites you use to advertise your business.

Please make sure you understand these regulations, which are outlined in the Business Licence Bylaw. If you require more information or clarification of these regulations, contact us by calling 311.

If your current licence was issued in 2011, you must follow the old regulations in the Exotic Entertainers Bylaw until your licence expires. The new regulations listed above will apply once your current licence expires and is renewed in 2012.

Exotic Entertainment Venue

This category is described as "any premises where live nude or semi-nude performances are offered."

There are special regulations and application requirements for this category. Edmonton Fire Rescue and the Edmonton Police Service are asked for a recommendation, and Alberta Health Services is notified when an application is submitted for this type of business.

Application Requirements

Applications must include:

  • If you are a corporation, you need to submit the full name, date of birth, and recent Edmonton Police Information Check for all primary managers, owners, partners, directors and officers of the corporation.
  • If you are an individual, you need to submit your full name, date of birth, and a recent Edmonton Police Information Check.
  • If you are an individual, two pieces of government-issued identification (at least one must have a photo) that show you are at least 18 years old.

Regulations

Exotic Entertainment Venues must:

  • Maintain a list of all Exotic Entertainers performing at your business that includes their full name, date of birth, any pseudonyms or aliases, and the date they performed.
  • Produce the list of employees when it is requested by a Peace Officer.
  • Only use Exotic Entertainers that have been licensed by the City of Edmonton for nude or semi-nude performances.

Please make sure you understand these regulations, which are outlined in the Business Licence Bylaw. If you require more information or clarification of these regulations, contact us by calling 311.

Massage Centre

This licence category is no longer issued. New categories now exist to licence this activity.

From January 1, 2012, all businesses and practitioners that manipulate the soft tissues of customers’ bodies through touch will need to tell the City which of the following new licence categories best fit their business:

  • Body Rub Centre
  • Body Rub Practitioner
  • Health Enhancement Centre
  • Health Enhancement Centre (Independent)
  • Health Enhancement Practitioner

For information on the new categories, new regulations and how to update your business licence, please read this notice or call 311 for more information.

Massage Practitioner

This licence category is no longer issued. New categories now exist to licence this activity.

From January 1, 2012, all businesses and practitioners that manipulate the soft tissues of customers’ bodies through touch will need to tell the City which of the following new licence categories best fit their business:

  • Body Rub Centre
  • Body Rub Practitioner
  • Health Enhancement Centre
  • Health Enhancement Centre (Independent)
  • Health Enhancement Practitioner

For information on the new categories, new regulations and how to update your business licence, please read  this notice or call 311 for more information.

For More Information

Permits and Licensing Service Centre

Sustainable Development
5th floor, 10250 - 101 Street
Edmonton, AB T5J 3P4

Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday
8am to 4:30pm

Telephone

In Edmonton: 311

Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311
Fax 780-496-6054