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

Hamilton County Code Chapter 9 (Body Art and Eyelash Extension) regulates every place, individual, or business that offers to affix permanent body art or eyelash extensions, incorporating Indiana's own body art rules, 410 IAC 1-5, by reference. Section 16-20-9-14 requires a body art establishment license, issued annually by the Hamilton County Health Department, before anyone may operate a fixed facility; the license is not transferable and must be posted where clients can see it. A separate body artist license is required before any individual may perform body art procedures, and applicants must show proof of OSHA bloodborne-pathogen and first-aid training, along with identifying information and demonstrated sanitation knowledge. Convicted sex offenders may only practice body art under another worker's supervision. Temporary and mobile body art licenses cover events lasting 14 days or less, with mobile units confined to an enclosed vehicle and subject to their own hand-washing, waste-storage, and inspection rules.

Section 16-20-9-15 bans body art on minors without notarized parental consent given in person, and bars genital, nipple, branding, and scarification procedures on anyone under 18 even with that consent. The Schedule H fee table in Section 16-20-1-27 sets a $250.00 fixed establishment license, a $75.00 body artist license, and a $150.00 temporary or mobile establishment license, with a $100.00 penalty added for operating before licensure. Section 16-20-9-21 tiers citation fines for repeat violations: up to $100.00 for a first offense, $250.00 for a second, $500.00 for a third, and $1,000.00 for a fourth in 12 months, which also suspends the license.