We are asking for your support in opposing a proposed City of Santa Barbara massage ordinance that is currently moving forward under the banner of “fighting human trafficking,” but which we believe would have serious unintended consequences for consumers, small businesses, and the Asian community in Santa Barbara.

While combating human trafficking is an important goal we all support, this proposed law takes a broad, punitive approach that impacts every massage business and client in the city, despite the issue being narrow in scope.

Here are the key concerns we want you to be aware of:

1. The ordinance is framed as anti-trafficking, but applies to all massage businesses.
The proposal is justified as a response to suspected human trafficking activity. However, there are 17 Asian-owned massage businesses in Santa Barbara, and only 4 are suspected of potentially inappropriate behavior. There has been no public presentation of evidence or confirmed trafficking cases tied to these businesses. Despite this, the ordinance imposes sweeping new rules on every massage provider and consumer in the city.

2. The impact falls disproportionately on Asian-owned businesses.
In practice, the ordinance is aimed squarely at Asian massage businesses, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and placing an entire community under heightened scrutiny. This is deeply troubling, particularly when the vast majority of these businesses operate lawfully and provide valued services to the community.

3. The law allows unannounced police inspections.
Under the proposed ordinance, massage businesses may be subject to unannounced police inspections, with no requirement for advance notice, appointments, or a complaint. Inspections can occur during business hours and refusal may jeopardize a business’s permit. The law does not clearly limit inspections to non-treatment areas or protect client privacy during services. For many clients, the presence of law enforcement in a therapeutic setting is invasive and unsettling.

4. The proposal is especially alarming in today’s climate.
Given recent nationwide actions and rhetoric targeting both documented and undocumented immigrants, this ordinance is understandably nerve-wracking for the Asian community in Santa Barbara. It increases fear, stigma, and vulnerability rather than fostering safety and trust.

5. Affordable massage care would largely disappear.
The ordinance eliminates the long-standing local designation of “massage technicians” who do not have the full 500 hours of training required for state CAMTC certification. Many experienced practitioners who provide safe, legitimate, and affordable care would no longer be able to work. As a result, most low-cost massage options in Santa Barbara would disappear, reducing access for seniors, working families, and people who rely on massage for pain relief and stress management.

In short, this ordinance punishes an entire profession and community based on suspicion rather than facts, reduces consumer choice, raises prices, and introduces invasive enforcement mechanisms into a healthcare-adjacent setting.

If you value affordable, accessible massage care, civil liberties, and a welcoming community, we encourage you to speak out against this proposed ordinance by signing this petition and contacting the City Council or attending the upcoming public meeting.

Thank you for taking the time to consider this important issue and for supporting fair, thoughtful policymaking in Santa Barbara.