Charleston tattoo and body piercing studios must hold a city business and occupation license and comply with West Virginia body piercing and tattoo studio regulations enforced by the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department.
Tattoo studios, body piercing parlors, and permanent cosmetic operators in Charleston must obtain a Charleston B&O license under Chapter 10 of the City Code and a state body piercing studio or tattoo studio permit through the West Virginia Department of Health. Local enforcement is supported by the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department, which inspects studios for sanitation, sterilization, biohazard handling, and aftercare instruction practices. State law restricts tattooing minors and requires written parental consent for piercings on minors, with stricter limits on certain piercings.
Tattooing minors, ignoring sterilization rules, lacking a state permit, or operating without a city license can trigger state suspension, health department closure, and Charleston license revocation.
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See how Charleston's tattoo & body modification rules stack up against other locations.
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