Minnetonka, MN Business Licensing & Operations: Tattoo & Body Modification (2026)

Chapter 820 of the Minnetonka City Code regulates body art in the City of Minnetonka, Hennepin County. Body art means physical body adornment including tattooing and body piercing, with piercing extending to branding, scarification, suspension, subdermal implantation, microdermal and tongue bifurcation. Procedures performed by a licensed medical or dental professional within their scope of practice are outside the definition, as is ear piercing of the outer perimeter or lobe with a presterilized single-use stud-and-clasp system. An establishment is any structure or venue, whether permanent, temporary or mobile, so vehicle-mounted units that work in more than one location are covered.

Section 820.010 sets the two-part license rule: the establishment needs a city license, and each individual performing procedures must be licensed as a body art technician or guest artist by the state of Minnesota, unless state law excepts them. Applications go to the community development department with the license, investigation and plan review fees from section 710 and a set of plans. The police department investigates and recommends, the community development director decides, and appeals follow section 700.025. Applicants must meet the section 700 insurance requirement but do not post a bond. Licenses expire on July 31 each year.

Physical standards are in section 820.035. The establishment must have at least 150 square feet of floor space, though the health authority can approve less for micropigmentation or cosmetic tattooing alone, for a period that cannot exceed one year. It needs a hand sink outside any public restroom, smooth nonabsorbent procedure surfaces, and no animals during a procedure except service animals. Needles and operating instruments must be individually pre-packaged, pre-sterilized and single-use. Jewelry must be implant-grade stainless steel, solid 14-karat or 18-karat gold, niobium, titanium, platinum or dense low-porosity plastic, and wood or bone jewelry is prohibited.

Section 820.030 bars a body art establishment from premises zoned or used for residential purposes and from use as living or sleeping quarters. Records on procedures, sterilizer spore tests and each technician must be kept on the premises for three years, and the director inspects each establishment at least once a year.