Perth Amboy, NJ Business Licensing & Operations: Tattoo & Body Modification (2026)

Chapter 400, Body Art Procedures, was amended in its entirety on 9-9-2024 by Ord. No. 2183-2024. Section 400-1 adopts in full the current New Jersey State Sanitary Code, Chapter 8, Body Art Procedures, N.J.A.C. 8:27-1 et seq., and all future amendments, for body art procedures within the City of Perth Amboy. Any person or establishment that fails to comply with those state rules while performing the work is in violation of the section.

Section 400-2 defines the business. A body art establishment is a personal service establishment providing physical body adornment through body piercing, tattooing and permanent cosmetics. Body piercing is the puncturing or penetration of the skin using pre-sterilized single use needles, followed by insertion of pre-sterilized or disinfected jewelry. Tattooing is any method of placing ink or other inert pigment into or under the skin or mucosa with needles or any other instrument that punctures the skin, resulting in permanent coloration, and the definition includes all forms of permanent cosmetics. Permanent cosmetics are the intradermal implanting of inert pigments, colors or dyes, and the definition names the form of micropigmentation known as microblading.

Section 400-3 requires a license before anyone engages in the business of a body art establishment within the City, and the application goes to the local health department. Section 400-4 sets the money. The license fee is $300 for an initial review of plans for body art establishments. Annual licensing inspections of establishments performing tattooing cost $200, with a one-year licensing period from January 1 to December 31. Every license issued during a calendar year expires on December 31 of that year, regardless of the date issued, and renewals must be procured with the local health department before the end of the calendar year of the current license.