Tattoo Parlor Permit Requirements in Seattle, WA

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

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

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Washington State Business License

   Required for most Washington businesses (e.g. those collecting sales tax, grossing $12,000+/year, hiring employees, or needing endorsements). Issued by the Department of Revenue. Registers the business for state B&O tax.

   Official government source

   $50 (initial processing fee) + $5/year renewal, plus applicable endorsement fees·~10 business days online (add 2–3 weeks if city/state endorsements needed); up to 6 weeks by mail

   $50 (initial processing fee) + $5/year renewal, plus applicable endorsement fees

   ~10 business days online (add 2–3 weeks if city/state endorsements needed); up to 6 weeks by mail

2. WA Body Piercing/Tattooing Facility License

   Tattoo establishments in Washington must hold a facility license from the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL). The facility must meet physical requirements including sterilization areas, proper lighting, and handwashing stations.

   Official government source

   $330 per location (first license and renewal; $440 if renewed late).·2–4 weeks

   $330 per location (first license and renewal; $440 if renewed late).

   2–4 weeks

3. Individual Tattoo Artist License

   Every tattoo artist working in Washington must hold an individual practitioner licence from the Department of Licensing under RCW 18.300. Issuance requires an approved application, certification of insurance, and payment of the fee; shops are inspected against sterilization and sharps-handling standards. Washington does not require a state examination for the individual licence.

   Official government source

   $275 for a first licence, $275 to renew ($385 if late), $275 to reinstate, and $5 for a duplicate.·2–4 weeks

   $275 for a first licence, $275 to renew ($385 if late), $275 to reinstate, and $5 for a duplicate.

   2–4 weeks

1. Seattle Business License Tax Certificate

   Required for all businesses operating in Seattle. Issued by City of Seattle Finance and Administrative Services. Tattoo establishments must obtain and display this certificate before opening.

   Official government source

   $73/year if your Seattle taxable revenue is under $20,000, $147 for $20,000-$499,999.99, $667 for $500,000-$1,999,999.99, $1,604 for $2 million-$5 million, and $3,210 for more than $5 million (2026 fee schedule), plus $10 per branch location. Businesses that start July 1 or later pay half the first-year fee.·You can usually print the certificate within 2-3 business days after your payment processes.

   $73/year if your Seattle taxable revenue is under $20,000, $147 for $20,000-$499,999.99, $667 for $500,000-$1,999,999.99, $1,604 for $2 million-$5 million, and $3,210 for more than $5 million (2026 fee schedule), plus $10 per branch location. Businesses that start July 1 or later pay half the first-year fee.

   You can usually print the certificate within 2-3 business days after your payment processes.

2. Washington State Department of Licensing - Body Art/Tattoo Shop Location License

   Required for all tattoo and body art shops in Washington. Licensed by the Washington Department of Licensing under RCW 18.300, which requires an approved application, certification of insurance, and the fee, and covers shop sanitation, sterilization equipment, and sharps disposal. Individual artists hold separate practitioner licences. King County Public Health does not run a body art establishment permit programme.

   Official government source

   $330 per location for a first licence and $330 to renew ($440 if late); $330 to add a location, $330 to reinstate, and $5 for a duplicate. Each individual artist's licence is $275.·2–4 weeks after application and inspection

   $330 per location for a first licence and $330 to renew ($440 if late); $330 to add a location, $330 to reinstate, and $5 for a duplicate. Each individual artist's licence is $275.

   2–4 weeks after application and inspection

3. Certificate of Occupancy

   Required before opening a tattoo studio in a commercial space when there is new construction or a change of use. SDCI issues the Certificate of Occupancy through a construction or Establishing Use permit after inspection confirms building, plumbing, ventilation, and fire code requirements for the use are met. Contact SDCI at 206-684-8600.

   Official government source

   No flat fee. SDCI charges value-of-construction-based permit and plan-review fees plus hourly review at the 2026 base rate of $292/hour, with a $292 minimum. Where there is no construction work, the minimum building permit fee ($292) applies plus hourly charges for records research, plan examination, or inspection; a temporary Certificate of Occupancy costs half the base fee ($146) and a duplicate certificate $48.85. Use SDCI's 2026 Fee Estimator for your project.·Varies widely. Simple subject-to-field-inspection permits can be issued within 48 hours; projects needing full plan review go through multiple correction cycles and commonly take months. SDCI publishes no standard turnaround - 75% of plan review and permit fees are due at application and the balance before issuance.

   No flat fee. SDCI charges value-of-construction-based permit and plan-review fees plus hourly review at the 2026 base rate of $292/hour, with a $292 minimum. Where there is no construction work, the minimum building permit fee ($292) applies plus hourly charges for records research, plan examination, or inspection; a temporary Certificate of Occupancy costs half the base fee ($146) and a duplicate certificate $48.85. Use SDCI's 2026 Fee Estimator for your project.

   Varies widely. Simple subject-to-field-inspection permits can be issued within 48 hours; projects needing full plan review go through multiple correction cycles and commonly take months. SDCI publishes no standard turnaround - 75% of plan review and permit fees are due at application and the balance before issuance.

4. Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections — Certificate of Occupancy

   A Certificate of Occupancy for a commercial tenant space is issued by the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI), which conducts the final inspections covering egress, occupancy load, and code compliance as part of closing out the construction permit. The Seattle Fire Department does not issue the CO; SFD issues separate fire code operational permits (which carry their own fees under SMC 22.602) and requires a copy of the SDCI-issued Certificate of Occupancy only with applications for new annual assembly occupancy permits.

   Official government source

   No separate fee·Scheduled as part of CO process

   No separate fee

   Scheduled as part of CO process

Official Sources

• WA Dept of Licensing: Body Art
• City of Seattle: Business License Tax Certificate
• Washington DOR: Apply for a Business License

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