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Monterey, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Tattoo & Body Modification (2026)

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

Key Facts

Governing section
§ 7-1.01(b) health permit
Issuing authority
County health officer rep
Appeal window
30 days to City Council
Penalty
Misdemeanor, § 7-1.10
Transferability
Non-transferable, § 7-1.06
Fees
Set/kept by County, § 7-1.09

Summary

Monterey folds tattoo parlors into its general business health permit rather than a standalone body-art ordinance. Anyone operating a tattoo parlor, along with public laundries, barbershops, beauty shops or bathhouses, must secure a health permit before opening under City Code § 7-1.01(b). The County Department of Public Health's appointed representative reviews and enforces the requirement, and operating without the permit is a misdemeanor.

No person, whether principal or agent, shall engage in the business of a public laundry, barbershop, laundromat, beauty shop, bathhouse or tattoo parlor without first obtaining a health permit.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 3721, passed July 7, 2026).

Full Breakdown

' There is no separate tattoo-specific chapter: body art businesses share the same general health-permit article that covers several personal-service trades. 02, and the officer investigates whether the applicant and the premises meet state and City sanitation and health laws before issuing a permit tied to that specific location. 05, 'health officer' means the duly appointed representative of the County Department of Public Health, so County health staff, not a separate City licensing desk, does the actual review. 04 requires the permit be posted in a conspicuous place and surrendered on demand once suspended or revoked.

06). 08, subject to the health officer's determination. 09 to cover the cost of administering the Article. Because Chapter 38's zoning code separately governs where a personal-service use may locate, a tattoo parlor still has to confirm its zoning district allows the use in addition to holding this health permit.

Violations & Fines

Operating a tattoo parlor without a health permit, or continuing after suspension or revocation, is a misdemeanor under § 7-1.10, and the City may pursue that penalty alongside any other civil or administrative remedy. A denial, suspension or revocation becomes final after 30 days unless the operator appeals to the City Council through the City Clerk under § 7-1.07(b), and filing that appeal automatically stays a suspension or revocation until the Council decides.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Monterey have a separate tattoo shop ordinance?
No. Monterey regulates tattoo parlors under the same general business health permit in § 7-1.01(b) that covers laundries, barbershops, beauty shops and bathhouses. There is no body-art-specific chapter; the health officer, the County Department of Public Health's appointed representative under § 7-1.05, applies the same sanitation and health standards to every listed trade.
Who issues the health permit?
Applications go to the health officer in writing under § 7-1.02. The health officer, defined in § 7-1.05 as the County Department of Public Health's representative, investigates the applicant and premises for compliance with state and City sanitation and health laws before issuing a permit for that specific location.
What happens if my permit is suspended?
Under § 7-1.03, the health officer can suspend or revoke on proof of a violation, and § 7-1.04 requires you to surrender the permit on demand. You may appeal to the City Council through the City Clerk within 30 days under § 7-1.07, and filing the appeal stays the suspension until the Council rules.
Can I transfer my tattoo parlor permit if I sell the business?
No. Section 7-1.06 makes health permits non-transferable between people, and a permit is only valid for the location it was issued for, so a new owner or a new address both require a fresh application under § 7-1.02.

Sources & Official References

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