Boone County, IN Business Licensing & Operations: Tattoo & Body Modification (2026)

Section 113.01 places all places, individuals and businesses that affix a permanent tattoo or perform body or skin piercing or modification under Chapter 113, requiring them to keep the premises and equipment used in a sanitary manner. Section 113.03 makes it unlawful to operate a tattooing, body-piercing or body-modification business unless the Boone County Health Department has issued a permit and the business complies with 410 IAC 1-5, and unlawful to perform any such procedure in a way that fails that state rule or I.C.

35-42-2-7. Chapter 113's definitions cover BODY MODIFICATION broadly (tattoos, permanent cosmetics, piercing and other penetrating body art) while expressly excluding henna and other surface adornment, and separately define BRANDING, SCARIFICATION, SUSPENSION and TONGUE SPLITTING as covered procedures, plus MOBILE ESTABLISHMENT for units too transient for permanent utility hookups, and TEMPORARY EVENT for demonstrations or trade shows lasting no more than 14 days. Section 113.13 lets the Health Officer immediately close a facility and suspend its permit for untimely test-result reporting, a missing handwashing sink at each station, conditions posing an imminent health threat, or three or more violations within 12 months, and only the Health Officer may remove a posted closure sign.

Section 113.15 authorizes the Health Department to run administrative suspension/revocation proceedings, issue an 'Order to Abate' enforceable in court under I.C. 16-20-1-25, and refer ordinance or criminal violations to the county attorney or prosecuting attorney.