Allegany County, MD Business Licensing & Operations: Tattoo & Body Modification (2026)

Section 487-1 states the chapter's purpose: to set 'reasonable standards for individuals performing tattoo and body piercing procedures and for the facilities in which the procedures are provided,' exempting licensed physicians and properly disinfected earlobe piercing under § 487-2. Section 487-19 requires the owner of each body art studio to submit a Department application before operating, including a floor sketch, staff listing, and full ownership disclosure; existing studios had 60 days from adoption to apply. Section 487-20 requires the permit be displayed conspicuously, bars transfers between studios (a change of 5% or more of ownership counts as a transfer), and voids the permit if the studio closes, relocates, or changes ownership.

Section 487-4(D) bars tattooing or piercing anyone under 18 without written parental or guardian consent. Detailed sanitation standards cover floor plans, sterilization, sharps disposal, and record-keeping for at least three years per client (§§ 487-5 through 487-18). Under § 487-23, the County Health Officer can order a studio to stop tattooing pending correction of violations and may deny, suspend, or revoke a permit for falsified records, habitual drug or alcohol use, gross incompetence, or unsanitary methods, with a hearing on 10 working days' written notice and appeal rights under the Maryland Rules of Procedure.