Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
Key FactsOrdinance TextFull BreakdownViolationsFAQSourcesMore in Charleston

Charleston, WV Business Licensing & Operations: Tattoo & Body Modification (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Spacing requirement
1,500 feet from another studio
Licensing
State license plus county health inspection required
Hours
10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Visibility
No tattooing/piercing visible from public right-of-way
Penalty
$50–$500 fine, misdemeanor

Summary

Charleston zoning rules require tattoo and body-piercing studios to sit at least 1,500 feet apart, get state licensing and Kanawha County Health Department inspection, and limit hours to 10 a.m.–10 p.m.

5. Tattoo/Body-Piercing Studios shall comply with the following: a. Shall not be located within 1500 feet of another tattoo/body-piercing studio. b. Shall be licensed by the State of West Virginia and inspected by the Kanawha County Health Department prior to receiving a Municipal Business License and/or Certificate of Occupancy. c. Shall not perform the acts of tattooing and piercing in areas visible from a public right-of-way. d. Shall limit hours of operation to 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Source: City of CharlestonView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.

Full Breakdown

Charleston's zoning ordinance treats tattoo and body-piercing studios as a regulated use, permitted outright in some commercial districts but requiring a conditional-use permit in others. Under Sec. 3-060(5) of the Zoning Ordinance, a studio cannot open within 1,500 feet of another tattoo or body-piercing studio, must be licensed by the State of West Virginia and inspected by the Kanawha County Health Department before the city issues a Municipal Business License or Certificate of Occupancy, cannot tattoo or pierce where it's visible from a public right-of-way, and can only operate between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. Storefront windows must stay clear glazing.

Violations & Fines

Operating without meeting these zoning standards is a misdemeanor under the Zoning Ordinance's general penalty section, punishable by a fine of $50 to $500 per violation (Sec. 37-020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a tattoo studio open anywhere in Charleston?
No: it needs to be at least 1,500 feet from any other tattoo or body-piercing studio and, in several zoning districts, must first get a conditional-use permit from the Board of Zoning Appeals.
What hours can a Charleston tattoo shop operate?
Zoning limits tattoo and body-piercing studios to 10 a.m. through 10 p.m. daily: no late-night or early-morning tattooing or piercing is allowed under Sec. 3-060(5).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Charleston

Adult EntertainmentSignificant RestrictionsAuto Repair on Residential PropertyHeavy RestrictionsSecondhand DealersSignificant RestrictionsTowing CompaniesSome RestrictionsPawnbrokersSome RestrictionsMassage EstablishmentsSignificant RestrictionsTobacco Retail LicenseSignificant RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Coyote ManagementSignificant Restrictions

All Charleston rules

Compare Charleston to another location·View the West Virginia business licensing & operations overview

Get notified when Tattoo & Body Modification in Charleston, WV changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.