Kings County, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Tattoo & Body Modification (2026)
Key Facts
- Licensing agency
- County Health Department
- Sterilization standard
- Autoclave, 15 psi, 15 min, 240°F
- Minimum client age
- 18 years old
- Staff health screening
- Annual chest X-ray required
- Shop use
- No other business allowed on-site
Summary
Tattoo shops in unincorporated Kings County are licensed and inspected by the county health department, with detailed sterilization, sanitation and age rules set out in Sec. 15-113.
All instruments, including the needles used in tattooing human beings shall be wrapped, and sterilized by steam in an autoclave with at least 15 pounds of pressure per square inch for at least 15 minutes at 240 degrees Fahrenheit before each use.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 13).
Full Breakdown
Article VI of Chapter 15 requires a health department license for anyone operating a tattoo business. Needles and instruments must be sterilized in a steam autoclave at 15 psi for 15 minutes at 240 degrees Fahrenheit before each use, and stencils, pigments and skin must each be disinfected under specific protocols. Tattooing anyone under 18 or anyone visibly intoxicated is unlawful, no other business may share the tattoo shop's space, and operators and employees must undergo an annual chest X-ray and other health-department-required tests. The health department investigates and inspects annually, and the rules must be posted in the shop.
Violations & Fines
Violating any tattoo-shop regulation is a misdemeanor under Sec. 15-18, and the county may suspend or revoke the health department license under Sec. 15-10 if operations endanger public health or safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sterilization standard must Kings County tattoo shops meet?
Can a minor get tattooed in unincorporated Kings County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kings County
California rules heatmap·Compare Kings County to another location·View the California business licensing & operations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.