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Orlando, FL Business Licensing & Operations: Tattoo & Body Modification (2026)

Heavy Restrictions

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

Key Facts

Governing section: City Code § 36.35(239)
Who may tattoo: Licensed physicians/dentists or supervised staff
Included activity: Permanent makeup application services
Tax scale: Number of Workers Scale (§ 36.36(1))
State cross-reference: Fla. Stat. § 877.04
General penalty: Up to $500 fine / 60 days jail (§ 1.08)

Summary

Orlando's business tax code makes it unlawful for anyone but a person licensed to practice medicine or dentistry, or someone under that person's direct supervision, to tattoo another person's body. The classification also folds in permanent makeup application and cross-references Florida's tattooing misdemeanor statute.

(239)TATTOOING: Prohibited—It is unlawful for any person to tattoo the body of any human being, except that tattooing may be performed by a person licensed to practice medicine or dentistry or by a person under his general supervision as defined by the Board of Medicine. (SEE Florida Statutes § 877.04.) Tattooing for business taxing purposes shall include Permanent Make-up Application Services.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 92).

Full Breakdown

35(239), labeled "TATTOOING: Prohibited," states it is unlawful for any person to tattoo the body of any human being, with a single exception: the work may be performed by a person licensed to practice medicine or dentistry, or by someone under that licensee's general supervision as defined by the Board of Medicine. 04, the state's separate tattooing offense, and clarifies that for local business-taxing purposes, "Tattooing" includes Permanent Make-up Application Services, so permanent-makeup studios fall under the identical medical/dental licensing restriction as traditional tattoo work. 36(1), which scales the annual business tax by square footage tier and headcount rather than a flat merchant rate. 35(239).

Violations & Fines

Tattooing someone without qualifying as a licensed physician or dentist, or without working under that person's general supervision, violates § 36.35(239) and is enforceable under the Code's general penalty, § 1.08: a fine up to $500, up to 60 days in jail, or both, with each day of a continuing violation treated as a separate offense. The section's cross-reference to Florida Statutes § 877.04 means unlicensed tattooing can also expose an operator to separate state misdemeanor charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a tattoo at a standalone tattoo parlor in Orlando?

Not under a lawful City of Orlando business classification. Section 36.35(239) declares tattooing "Prohibited" and states it is unlawful for anyone to tattoo a person's body except a person licensed to practice medicine or dentistry, or someone working under that person's general supervision.

Does Orlando's tattoo rule cover permanent makeup studios too?

Yes. Section 36.35(239) specifies that "Tattooing for business taxing purposes shall include Permanent Make-up Application Services," so permanent makeup artists fall under the same medical/dental licensing restriction as traditional tattoo artists.

What tax classification applies to a licensed tattoo provider?

Section 36.35(239) taxes qualifying tattoo operations under the Number of Workers Scale in § 36.36(1), which scales the annual business tax by square footage and employee count rather than a flat merchant rate.

What law does Orlando's code point to for tattooing offenses?

The classification cross-references Florida Statutes § 877.04, the state's tattooing law, alongside the City's own general penalty under § 1.08, which allows a fine up to $500 and up to 60 days in jail for code violations.

Sources & Official References

[1]Orlando, FL Code of Ordinances — Chapter 36, Licenses (Municode)

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