Winston-Salem, NC Business Licensing & Operations: Tattoo & Body Modification (2026)
Key Facts
- License required
- before tattooing anyone
- Bond required
- $1,000 cash bond
- Bond covers
- injury, infection, negligence
- Bond duration
- 3 years past expiration
- Issuing office
- city revenue collector
Summary
Anyone tattooing in Winston-Salem must get a city license first and post a $1,000 cash bond to cover injuries from negligent work.
Every person engaging or offering to engage in the business, art or practice of tattooing (making tattoo marks or designs on the skin) shall first obtain a license from the city. This license shall be issued only upon the condition that the licensee post with the city a cash bond in the amount of $1,000.00, conditioned upon the licensee's being law-abiding and refraining from engaging in any unlawful or fraudulent practice in conducting the business covered by the license, and further providing that any person damaged or injured by the negligent conduct of the licensee, causing infection and other complications to arise on the skin or about the person being tattooed, shall be entitled to recover on the cash bond, which bond shall be held and kept in force for three years after the expiration of the license in connection with which it was given.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 102 | Personnel: Supplement 96 | Water and Sewer: Supplement 56 | Solid Waste: Supplement 15).
Full Breakdown
Winston-Salem Code § 34-20 requires every person engaging or offering to engage in the business, art or practice of tattooing to obtain a license from the city before operating. The license issues only if the applicant posts a $1,000 cash bond conditioned on the licensee staying law-abiding and avoiding unlawful or fraudulent practice. Anyone injured by the licensee's negligent tattooing, including infection or other skin complications, can recover against that bond. The bond stays in force for three years after the license it backs expires. The section sits in Chapter 34's privilege-license article alongside similarly bonded trades like pawnbrokers and fortunetellers.
Violations & Fines
Operating without the required license and bond exposes the tattoo artist to the city's general privilege-license enforcement under Chapter 34, including civil penalties for conducting business without a valid license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do tattoo artists need a city license in Winston-Salem?
Why does Winston-Salem require a $1,000 bond for tattoo artists?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Winston-Salem
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