The city wants to keep common bawdy houses out of residential neighbourhoods and away from kids and schools and is looking at changing the way business licences are issued.
More than 40 complaints about home-based businesses masquerading as legitimate massage parlours were received by the city last year.
The city says these types of businesses are usually a front for prostitution and human trafficking.
The Planning Committee has recommended changes to the way business licenses are issued after several complaints were launched by residents and professional massage associations.
If the bylaw passes it would mean separating the businesses into two categories; a massage practioner license and a body rub license.
Those businesses that are licensed under the body rub category will have more restrictions about where they can set up shop and they won't be allowed to operate home-based businesses.
"For registered massage therapists who operate under a professional association, it's going to be easier for them to operate a home-based business. If you are not part of that association we are going to be a lot more stringent about how you do business and where you do business," said Ward 9 Councillor Gian-Carlo Carra.
In March, police shut down a bawdy house in Ramsay and charged the operator.
A member of the community association called police about the home because it was bringing traffic and unwanted clientele into the neighbourhood.
