Tattoo Parlor Permit Requirements in Minneapolis, MN

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. Minnesota Department of Health Body Art Technician License

   Every tattoo artist and body piercer working in Minnesota must hold an individual body art technician licence from the Minnesota Department of Health, which requires documented training including bloodborne pathogen instruction. Establishments are licensed separately, but under Minn. Stat. 146B.02 subd. 9 an establishment in a city or county with its own qualifying body art ordinance is exempt from the state chapter - Minneapolis licenses tattoo establishments itself, so a Minneapolis parlor gets its establishment licence from the city while its artists remain licensed by MDH.

   Official government source

   MDH under Minn. Stat. 146B.10: $420 for an initial or biennial renewal technician licence, $240 for a temporary technician licence, $140 for a temporary guest artist licence, and $1,500 for a state establishment licence covering the two-year term where the state licenses the establishment. Minneapolis charges $231 a year for a tattoo establishment licence plus a $205 plan review for a new business or $152 for a remodel.·Technician licence is issued for two years and must be renewed biennially

   MDH under Minn. Stat. 146B.10: $420 for an initial or biennial renewal technician licence, $240 for a temporary technician licence, $140 for a temporary guest artist licence, and $1,500 for a state establishment licence covering the two-year term where the state licenses the establishment. Minneapolis charges $231 a year for a tattoo establishment licence plus a $205 plan review for a new business or $152 for a remodel.

   Technician licence is issued for two years and must be renewed biennially

2. Minnesota Secretary of State Business Registration

   All formal business entities operating in Minnesota must register with the Minnesota Secretary of State. An LLC is recommended for tattoo parlors due to the inherent liability exposure from body art services.

   Official government source

   $155 (LLC filing fee)·Immediate (online or in-person); 4-7 business days if filed by mail

   $155 (LLC filing fee)

   Immediate (online or in-person); 4-7 business days if filed by mail

3. Minnesota Sales Tax Registration (retail products only)

   Tattooing itself is not subject to Minnesota sales tax — it is not on the Department of Revenue's enumerated list of taxable services. A tattoo parlour that also sells tangible goods such as aftercare products, jewellery or merchandise is making taxable retail sales and must register with the Minnesota Department of Revenue for a Minnesota Tax ID and sales tax account, then collect and remit tax on those sales.

   Official government source

   Free — Minnesota charges no fee to register for a sales and use tax account·Register online through Department of Revenue e-Services before making taxable retail sales; the department then assigns a filing schedule

   Free — Minnesota charges no fee to register for a sales and use tax account

   Register online through Department of Revenue e-Services before making taxable retail sales; the department then assigns a filing schedule

1. City of Minneapolis Body Art Establishment License

   Tattoo parlors located in Minneapolis are licensed by the City of Minneapolis under its Body Art Establishment license (called Tattoo Establishment in the fee schedule) — Hennepin County Environmental Health explicitly does not regulate body art establishments inside Minneapolis city limits. The establishment must meet sanitation standards for hand washing, sterilization and autoclaving, ventilation and single-use needles. Individual artists working there must separately be licensed or permitted by the State of Minnesota.

   Official government source

   $231 per year for the Tattoo (body art) Establishment license, plus a one-time plan review fee of $205 for a new business or $152 for a remodel; a temporary body art event sponsor license is $116 (2026 Minneapolis License Fee Schedule)·Plans must be submitted and approved before the establishment license is issued; the license renews annually

   $231 per year for the Tattoo (body art) Establishment license, plus a one-time plan review fee of $205 for a new business or $152 for a remodel; a temporary body art event sponsor license is $116 (2026 Minneapolis License Fee Schedule)

   Plans must be submitted and approved before the establishment license is issued; the license renews annually

2. City of Minneapolis Body Art Establishment License

   Tattoo parlours operating in Minneapolis must hold a Body Art Establishment licence — listed as Tattoo Establishment in the fee schedule — from Business Licenses & Consumer Services (Community Planning & Economic Development), covering tattooing, piercing and other body art. Individual artists working there must separately be licensed or permitted by the State of Minnesota. The licence renews annually.

   Official government source

   $231 per year for the Tattoo (body art) Establishment licence, plus a one-time plan review fee of $205 for a new business or $152 for a remodel; a temporary body art event sponsor licence is $116 (2026 Minneapolis License Fee Schedule)·Plans must be submitted and approved before the establishment licence is issued; the licence renews annually

   $231 per year for the Tattoo (body art) Establishment licence, plus a one-time plan review fee of $205 for a new business or $152 for a remodel; a temporary body art event sponsor licence is $116 (2026 Minneapolis License Fee Schedule)

   Plans must be submitted and approved before the establishment licence is issued; the licence renews annually

3. Certificate of Occupancy

   A Certificate of Occupancy from the City of Minneapolis (Community Planning & Economic Development -- Construction Code Services) is required when opening a tattoo parlor in a commercial space or performing significant improvements that change occupancy classification. This ensures compliance with building codes, zoning, and fire safety requirements.

   Official government source

   No separate Certificate of Occupancy fee is published; the CoO inspection is part of the building permit process, and Minneapolis building permit fees are based on the valuation of the job (labor and materials)·Issued after all on-site construction inspections and a final CoO inspection pass; you request the final CoO inspection when the space is ready to be occupied

   No separate Certificate of Occupancy fee is published; the CoO inspection is part of the building permit process, and Minneapolis building permit fees are based on the valuation of the job (labor and materials)

   Issued after all on-site construction inspections and a final CoO inspection pass; you request the final CoO inspection when the space is ready to be occupied

4. Fire Inspection

   Minneapolis Fire Department enforces fire code compliance for commercial occupancies (including tattoo parlors) through its Fire Prevention / Fire Operational Permit program -- covering items like sprinklers, extinguishers, emergency lighting, and exit signage. Fees and timeline vary by permit type; confirm current requirements with Minneapolis Fire Department (612-673-2890).

   Official government source

   Annual commercial building registration (FCOM) fee is based on floor area: $58 (0-5,000 sq ft), $105 (5,001-10,000), $315 (10,001-100,000), up to $1,260 for buildings over 2,000,000 sq ft; operational fire permit fees vary by activity·Allow about 30 business days for the City to process a commercial building registration

   Annual commercial building registration (FCOM) fee is based on floor area: $58 (0-5,000 sq ft), $105 (5,001-10,000), $315 (10,001-100,000), up to $1,260 for buildings over 2,000,000 sq ft; operational fire permit fees vary by activity

   Allow about 30 business days for the City to process a commercial building registration

Official Sources

• Minnesota Department of Health — Body Art
• Hennepin County Environmental Health — Body Art
• City of Minneapolis — Business Licenses
• Minnesota Department of Revenue — Sales Tax

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