Broward County, FL Business Licensing & Operations: Tattoo & Body Modification (2026)
Key Facts
- Permitted districts
- B-4 and C-1 only
- Territorial scope
- Unincorporated Broward only
- Governing table
- Sec. 39-295 Master Business List
- Not covered here
- State DOH handles artist licensing
Summary
Broward County's zoning code permits tattoo shops only in B-4 Commercial Redevelopment Overlay and C-1 Commercial Warehouse districts, and only in the unincorporated area: the rule doesn't reach Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines or Coral Springs.
Sec. 39-295. - Permitted uses. ...P = Permitted C = Conditional A = Accessory use only... Use B-1 B-2 B-3 B-4 C-1 CR OP ...Tattoo shop P P... Sec. 39-2. - Short title; scope. This chapter shall be known and cited as the Broward County Zoning Code and shall apply in the unincorporated area of Broward County.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72 | Administrative Code: Supplement 28).
Full Breakdown
Broward's Zoning Code (Chapter 39) lists tattoo shops on the Sec. 39-295 Master Business List, marking them 'P' (Permitted) only in the B-4 Commercial Redevelopment Overlay and C-1 Commercial Warehouse districts, not in B-1, B-2, B-3, CR, or OP commercial zones. Under Sec. 39-2, the Zoning Code 'shall apply in the unincorporated area of Broward County' only; Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs and the county's 27 other municipalities set their own tattoo-shop zoning. The county code does not separately license tattoo establishments, sanitation and artist licensing fall under Florida Department of Health rules, not this chapter.
Violations & Fines
Operating a tattoo shop in unincorporated Broward outside the B-4 or C-1 districts is a zoning violation, enforceable by Broward County Code Enforcement (Chapter 8½) with civil citations until the use is relocated or approved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a tattoo shop anywhere in unincorporated Broward County?
Does this zoning rule apply inside Fort Lauderdale or Hollywood?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Broward County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Broward County to another location·View the Florida business licensing & operations overview
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