Chicago issues a Tattoo Artist license under MCC Ch. 4-388 plus a separate establishment license. Operators also follow the Illinois Body Art Code, 410 ILCS 54, with CDPH inspections, sterilization standards, and a flat ban on tattooing anyone under 18.
MCC §4-388-010 requires every tattoo artist to hold an individual BACP-issued Tattoo Artist license, and the studio itself holds a separate BACP business license. Applicants prove training, current bloodborne-pathogen certification, and a Hepatitis B vaccination series or signed waiver. The Illinois Body Art Code, 410 ILCS 54, layers state standards enforced locally by the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), covering autoclave logs, single-use needle cartridges, sharps disposal, and infection-control plans. Minors are barred under MCC 4-388-080 and 720 ILCS 5/12-10, with no parental consent exception even for cosmetic tattooing. Body piercing on minors needs notarized parental consent. Mobile or temporary body-art events require a BACP and CDPH special-event permit.
Tattooing without a BACP license, operating an unpermitted studio, or tattooing a minor are misdemeanors under MCC 4-4-340 and 720 ILCS 5/12-10, with fines $500-$5,000 per offense, license revocation, and possible state criminal charges.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Chicago, IL
No Chicago-specific ordinance allocates division-fence costs between neighbors; the Illinois Fence Act (765 ILCS 130) applies, requiring adjoining landowners...
Chicago, IL
Chicago Zoning Ordinance 17-17-0309 lets fences encroach into required setbacks: a fence no more than 20% opaque up to 6 feet is allowed in front, side, and ...
Chicago, IL
Chicago Building Code Chapter 13-196 requires approved smoke alarms in every residential unit: at least one on each story (including basement), within 15 fee...
Chicago, IL
Chicago has no ordinance specific to residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or year-round decorations. Landmark Commission approval is required only for perma...
Chicago, IL
Chicago has no ordinance specific to residential holiday inflatables. Inflator-motor noise after hours is enforced under MCC Section 8-32 (noise), and sidewa...
Chicago, IL
Chicago has no ordinance regulating residential holiday light display windows or brightness. Property maintenance complaints are handled under MCC Section 13...
See how Chicago's tattoo & body modification rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.