Tattoo Parlor Permit Requirements in San Diego, CA

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Free from the IRS — apply online and receive your EIN immediately upon approval; the IRS never charges for an EIN (avoid third-party sites that do). Federally required if you hire employees or operate as a corporation or partnership (including a multi-member LLC); a single-member LLC with no employees and no excise-tax liability may use the owner's SSN instead, though most banks ask for an EIN to open a business bank account.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate

   Free

   Immediate

2. OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard Compliance

   Tattoo studios with employees who have occupational exposure to blood must comply with OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030; in California, Cal/OSHA's equivalent standard, 8 CCR 5193): a written exposure control plan, hepatitis B vaccination offered free to exposed employees, proper sharps disposal, and annual training. Owner-operators with no employees are generally outside OSHA's scope, though state and county body-art rules still apply.

   Official government source

   No government fee; employer bears training, vaccination, and supply costs (vary by studio size)·Ongoing

   No government fee; employer bears training, vaccination, and supply costs (vary by studio size)

   Ongoing

1. California Safe Body Art Act Compliance

   California regulates tattoo studios at the local county level under the California Safe Body Art Act (Health & Safety Code §§ 119300-119328). There is no separate statewide tattoo studio license — compliance is enforced through county health department permits. San Diego County DEHQ is the local enforcement agency.

   Official government source

   No separate state fee — regulated at county level·N/A

   No separate state fee — regulated at county level

   N/A

2. California Seller's Permit (if selling taxable merchandise)

   If the tattoo studio sells taxable merchandise such as aftercare products or apparel, register with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) for a seller's permit. Registration is free.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. San Diego County DEHQ — Body Art Facility Public Health Permit

   All tattoo studios in San Diego County (the County DEHQ is the enforcement agency countywide, including the City of San Diego) must hold an annual Body Art Facility public health permit from the DEHQ Food, Water, and Housing Division, and comply with the California Safe Body Art Act. New facilities require a plan check before opening. Contact DEHQ at (858) 505-6900.

   Official government source

   $469/year facility health permit; $648 plan check for new facilities (DEHQ fee schedule effective July 10, 2026)·4–8 weeks (includes plan check and inspection)

   $469/year facility health permit; $648 plan check for new facilities (DEHQ fee schedule effective July 10, 2026)

   4–8 weeks (includes plan check and inspection)

2. San Diego County DEHQ — Body Art Practitioner Registration (per artist)

   Each individual tattoo artist must register as a Body Art Practitioner with San Diego County DEHQ before working. Registration requires proof of an approved bloodborne pathogen training course (per the California Safe Body Art Act) and hepatitis B vaccination status documentation.

   Official government source

   $179 practitioner registration (DEHQ fee schedule effective July 10, 2026)·2–4 weeks

   $179 practitioner registration (DEHQ fee schedule effective July 10, 2026)

   2–4 weeks

3. City of San Diego Business Tax Certificate

   All businesses operating in the City of San Diego must obtain a Business Tax Certificate from the Office of the City Treasurer. It is a tax registration, not a regulatory license. The fee is based on employee count only: $34/year for businesses with 12 or fewer employees, or $125/year plus $5 per employee for 13 or more employees. Every application and renewal adds a $4 state-mandated SB-1186 fee, and beginning July 1, 2025 an annual Minimum Wage Enforcement Fee of $1.47 per employee also applies. Renewed annually.

   Official government source

   $38/year for most small businesses ($34 business tax + $4 SB-1186 fee; 12 or fewer employees); $129/year + $5 and $1.47 per employee for 13+ employees·1–2 weeks

   $38/year for most small businesses ($34 business tax + $4 SB-1186 fee; 12 or fewer employees); $129/year + $5 and $1.47 per employee for 13+ employees

   1–2 weeks

Official Sources

• San Diego County DEHQ — Body Art Program
• San Diego County — Body Art Facility Plan Check Guidelines
• San Diego County — Practitioner Registration Form
• San Diego County DEHQ — Fee Schedule
• California Safe Body Art Act — DEHQ Overview

Related Guides