Los Angeles County, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Tattoo & Body Modification (2026)
Key Facts
- Establishment license
- Required before any body art activity
- Public health permit
- Required (Sections 11.36.330 A and 11.36.350)
- Conditional use permit
- Required if mandated by Title 22 zoning
- Liability insurance minimum
- $1,000,000 per incident; LA County named as additional insured
- Service log retention
- Minimum 3 years; must be produced to sheriff on request
- Technician license
- Individual technician license required in addition to establishment license
Summary
Body art establishments (tattoo, piercing, and related services) in unincorporated LA County must hold a county business license, a public health facility permit, and a conditional use permit if required; minimum $1 million liability insurance is mandatory.
7.94.020: No person shall own or operate a body art establishment or permit the conduct of body art activity at any location unless and until a body art establishment license has been procured pursuant to Article 1 of Part 2 of this chapter, and payment of an annual fee has been made therefor in the amount set forth in Section 7.14.010, under the appropriate heading. 7.94.060: A license shall not be issued pursuant to this article unless the applicant has a public health facility permit, as required by Sections 11.36.330 A and 11.36.350, and inspections by any appropriate county departments reveal that the establishment complies with each of the minimum requirements of this chapter. A license shall not be issued unless the applicant has obtained a conditional use permit, if one is required by Title 22 of this code. 7.94.130: The minimum liability limits shall not be less than $1,000,000.00 for each incident of damage to property or incident of injury to or death of a person. The policy shall name the county of Los Angeles as an additional insured.
Full Breakdown
Every individual body art technician must also hold a separate county license and be registered with the county health department. A public hearing before the Business License Commission is required for each establishment license. The license is non-transferable to another owner or location. Establishments must maintain a written service log, including the client's name, date of birth, and description of service, for at least three years. No alcohol or illegal drugs are permitted on premises.
Violations & Fines
License denial, suspension, or revocation. Allowing unlicensed body art technicians to work is a separate violation under Section 7.94.190.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a tattoo artist work without a license if the shop is licensed?
Do earlobe piercers need a body art establishment license?
What insurance is required?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles County
California rules heatmap·Compare Los Angeles County to another location·View the California business licensing & operations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.