Tattoo Parlor Permit Requirements in Philadelphia, PA

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. Philadelphia Department of Public Health — Body Art Establishment Certificate

   Pennsylvania has no statewide Department of Health body-art facility registration (state law only bans tattooing minors, 18 Pa.C.S. § 6311). In Philadelphia, body art establishments are regulated by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health under its Body Art Regulations: the establishment needs a certificate and artists need Philadelphia body-art certification. Facilities must demonstrate proper sterilization procedures, hand hygiene practices, and safe waste disposal.

   Official government source

   $100 (annual establishment certificate) + $255 (plan review, new establishments) — roughly $355 total for a new business·4-8 weeks

   $100 (annual establishment certificate) + $255 (plan review, new establishments) — roughly $355 total for a new business

   4-8 weeks

2. PA Tattoo Artist Registration

   Pennsylvania has no statewide tattoo artist registration or license. Body art regulation is done at the local level — e.g., Philadelphia and Allegheny County (Pittsburgh) run their own body-art/tattoo health regulations; other areas have no specific tattoo regulation. Check with the applicable local health department for bloodborne pathogen training and inspection requirements.

   Official government source

   Varies by locality (no state fee)·Varies by locality

   Varies by locality (no state fee)

   Varies by locality

3. PA Business Entity Registration

   Required by the Pennsylvania Department of State for LLCs, corporations, and other formal business entities operating in Pennsylvania. As of 2025, Pennsylvania also requires an Annual Report [DSCB:15-146] filed each year at file.dos.pa.gov — $7 for business corporations, LLCs, LPs and LLPs, and $0 for nonprofit corporations. The deadline depends on entity type: corporations by June 30, LLCs by September 30, and LPs, LLPs, business trusts and professional associations by December 31. Beginning with reports due in 2027, failure to file can lead to administrative dissolution.

   Official government source

   $70–$125 one-time formation or DBA filing ($125 LLC Certificate of Organization or Articles of Incorporation, $70 fictitious name), plus a $7 Annual Report each year from 2025 ($0 for nonprofit corporations)·1–2 weeks (initial filing)

   $70–$125 one-time formation or DBA filing ($125 LLC Certificate of Organization or Articles of Incorporation, $70 fictitious name), plus a $7 Annual Report each year from 2025 ($0 for nonprofit corporations)

   1–2 weeks (initial filing)

1. Commercial Activity License

   Issued by the Philadelphia Department of Licenses & Inspections (L&I), this is the foundational business license required for operating a tattoo parlor in Philadelphia. All commercial establishments must hold this license.

   Official government source

   Free (no fee; license does not renew)·Same day (issued automatically when applying online via eCLIPSE)

   Free (no fee; license does not renew)

   Same day (issued automatically when applying online via eCLIPSE)

2. Body Art Establishment Certificate

   Issued by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, this annual certificate is required for any establishment performing tattooing, body piercing, or permanent makeup. New facilities must pass a plan review and a pre-opening Health Department inspection covering sanitation, sterilization equipment, and ventilation. Every artist working in the facility must hold a Philadelphia Body Artist or Apprentice certificate and blood-borne pathogen training.

   Official government source

   $100/year, plus a $255 plan-review fee for new facilities (expedited review available for an additional $315)·Varies; plan review plus pre-opening inspection (expedited plan review is completed within 10 business days)

   $100/year, plus a $255 plan-review fee for new facilities (expedited review available for an additional $315)

   Varies; plan review plus pre-opening inspection (expedited plan review is completed within 10 business days)

3. Certificate of Occupancy

   Issued by Philadelphia L&I after inspection. A new Certificate of Occupancy is required if you build out, alter, or change the use of the space for the tattoo studio; if you move into a space whose current legal use already covers your operation, confirm the existing certificate with L&I instead.

   Official government source

   $260.50 per space ($253 permit fee, including a $100 non-refundable filing fee, plus $7.50 city/state surcharges)·Up to 20 business days, plus inspection

   $260.50 per space ($253 permit fee, including a $100 non-refundable filing fee, plus $7.50 city/state surcharges)

   Up to 20 business days, plus inspection

4. Plumbing Permit

   Philadelphia body art establishments are certified by the Department of Public Health, whose new-business plan review ($255) covers water supply, liquid waste disposal and sanitary facilities. Installing or altering the hand-washing sinks that body art stations require is separate plumbing work that needs a plumbing permit from L&I, and a licensed master plumber must oversee the work. Apply through eCLIPSE; the permit must be issued and the work inspected before you open.

   Official government source

   $100 filing fee + $189 alteration permit fee (covers seven fixtures; $22.50 each additional) + $3 city and $4.50 state surcharges — about $296.50. New construction is $284 for seven fixtures plus $25 each additional; simple repairs or replacements run $31–$126.·Reviewed while you wait if no plans are required; 20 business days if plans are submitted (5 business days with the $1,050 accelerated review)

   $100 filing fee + $189 alteration permit fee (covers seven fixtures; $22.50 each additional) + $3 city and $4.50 state surcharges — about $296.50. New construction is $284 for seven fixtures plus $25 each additional; simple repairs or replacements run $31–$126.

   Reviewed while you wait if no plans are required; 20 business days if plans are submitted (5 business days with the $1,050 accelerated review)

5. Fire safety compliance (no general pre-opening fire permit)

   Philadelphia does not require a general Fire Department permit or inspection before opening a tattoo studio. Fire-safety compliance (egress, extinguishers, Philadelphia Fire Code) is enforced through L&I building/occupancy approvals and periodic Fire Code inspections. A separate L&I fire suppression permit is needed only if you install or modify sprinkler or other suppression systems during build-out.

   Official government source

   None (fire suppression construction permits, if needed, start around $189 plus a $100 filing fee)·N/A (inspections occur after opening; construction permits only during build-out)

   None (fire suppression construction permits, if needed, start around $189 plus a $100 filing fee)

   N/A (inspections occur after opening; construction permits only during build-out)

Official Sources

• Philadelphia Department of Public Health
• Philadelphia Dept of Licenses & Inspections
• PA Department of Health - Body Art
• PA Department of State

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