NEW ROCHELLE, NY (June 6, 2025) — The City of New Rochelle will hold a public hearing next Tuesday, June 10, at 7:00 P.M. at City Hall to discuss proposed regulations on massage establishments, aiming to curb illicit activities like human trafficking, prostitution, and unlicensed practitioners through amendments to the zoning code and a new local law.
The proposals, introduced on May 13, 2025, come after the city received numerous complaints over the past year about illegal activities at various massage establishments. The changes involve amending Chapter 331 of the Zoning Code and adopting Chapter 121 in the City Charter to enhance oversight.
Under the zoning amendments, a “massage establishment” is defined as a fixed place of business where massages are administered by licensed therapists, excluding hospitals, medical clinics, or barbershops and beauty salons offering incidental massages. These establishments will require a special permit in various zoning districts, including DMU, DMUR, WR, PWD-3, PWD-5, PWD-8, MUFE, NB, DB, and LSR.
Special permit requirements include a minimum 500-foot distance between establishments, mandatory licensing of all therapists by New York State, and operating hours set by the New Rochelle Planning Board. Permits must be renewed every three years, with annual licensing required, and will be forfeited if illegal activities such as human trafficking or prostitution occur. The Planning Board is designated as the approving agency for these permits.
A Short Environmental Assessment Form indicates no significant environmental impacts from the legislative changes, as they do not involve physical alterations to land use.
The new local law, Chapter 121, establishes licensing, application, and renewal procedures to ensure compliance with safety and ethical standards for massage establishments.
“These regulations are intended to strike an appropriate balance between fostering a safe and professional environment for therapeutic services and ensuring the integrity of local businesses and neighborhoods,” according to a memorandum from Paul Vacca, Commissioner of Buildings.
RELATED:
New Rochelle Move to Crack Down on Illicit Massage Parlors (5/28/2025
Feds Bust Interstate Prostitution Ring Operating in New Rochelle(8/11/2024)/
New Rochelle Police Seek Potential Victims of Fake Masseuse(3/13/2024)
Prostitution Sting in New Rochelle, 5 Arrests Made (10/17/2022)
FBI Seeks Hundreds of Possible Victims in Westchester-Based Human Trafficking Investigation (8/30/2022)
Prostitution Arrests Made in New Rochelle (9/9/2021)
Amy Paulin’s Anti-Human Trafficking Bill Signed into Law by Gov. Cuomo (1/11/2014)
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.