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

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

Key Facts

Business permit fee
$300 per year, nontransferable
Mobile/temporary facility permit
$180 per year
Artist/piercer license
$50 per year
Guest artist license
$25 for 30 days
Late fee
annual fee plus 50%
Max fine
$500 per violation, per day
Enforcing agency
Floyd County Health Department

Summary

In unincorporated Floyd County, every tattoo parlor and body piercing facility must hold an annual permit from the Floyd County Health Department, and every artist or piercer must hold a personal license. Business permits cost $300 a year, mobile-facility permits $180, and individual artist or piercer licenses $50, all expiring December 31.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Floyd County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

All places, individuals, and businesses that offer to affix any type of permanent tattoo or body piercing to a person shall be regulated by this chapter, and shall maintain the premises in which tattoos or body piercings are performed and equipment used in the tattoo or body piercing process in a sanitary manner. ... (A) Business. Each tattoo/body piercing facility operation shall obtain a permit from the County Health Department. ... (2) The cost for this permit shall be $300 and shall not be transferable. The permit expires on December 31 of each year. ... Any person who willfully violates any of the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to a fine of not more than $500 for each violation. Each day of the existence of any violation of this chapter shall be considered to be a separate offense.

Full Breakdown

01). 20, a permanent facility permit costs $300 a year and is nontransferable; a temporary or mobile facility permit costs $180; a tattoo artist, body piercer, or combined license costs $50; and a 30-day guest artist license costs $25. All permits and licenses expire December 31 regardless of issue date, and late applicants owe the annual fee plus a 50% penalty. Permits must list the owner's name and address plus the name and address of every artist or piercer working at that location, and must be posted where the public can see them.

A sole proprietor who personally tattoos or pierces only needs the business permit, not a separate artist license. 20. The Floyd County Health Department, under the County Health Officer, issues these permits and licenses and conducts inspections. 61, alongside the licensing scheme.

Violations & Fines

The Health Officer can suspend or revoke a permit or license for interference with an inspection or for willful or continuous violations, after a hearing under § 113.58, and can order immediate closure without a hearing when conditions pose an imminent health hazard, with a hearing available the next business day (§ 113.57). Willful violations are referred to the County Prosecuting Attorney and carry a fine of up to $500 per violation, with each day of a continuing violation counted as a separate offense (§ 113.99). An aggrieved permittee may appeal a final order to the County Board of Health within 15 days (§ 113.59).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to open a tattoo shop in unincorporated Floyd County?
Yes. Section 113.20 requires every tattoo or body piercing facility to hold a $300 annual permit from the Floyd County Health Department before opening, listing the owner and every artist or piercer working there, posted visibly at the shop.
Can I tattoo at a fair or festival in Floyd County?
Only with a temporary event permit. Section 113.20(B) sets a $180 fee for temporary or mobile facilities, and organizers must submit the event's date, time, and location to the Health Department at least three business days ahead.
What happens if my Floyd County tattoo permit expires?
All permits expire December 31 each year regardless of when they were issued. Under § 113.20, anyone who fails to renew before that date owes the full annual fee plus an additional 50% penalty on top of it.
What tattoo practices are banned outright in Floyd County?
Section 113.61 prohibits tongue splitting, tattoo removal, use of anesthesia, home tattoo parties, and mobile tattoo parlors as prohibited acts, separate from the county's licensing and sanitation requirements for shops.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Floyd County

All Floyd County rules

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