LicensingCounty
City and County of San Francisco
Structured information from official sources. It is not legal advice.
Artists
Recently checked
Body art practitioner registration (tattoo, body piercing, permanent cosmetics)
Licence requiredYes
Temporary licenceYes
Official links
- Temporary licence
- Practitioners not registered in San Francisco can apply for a temporary event practitioner license for a permitted body art event ($154 application, FY 2025–26 schedule).
- Guest artists
- San Francisco's pages describe no separate guest-artist permit. California law: a registration from another California jurisdiction is valid for no more than 5 consecutive days, or 15 days total, per calendar year (HSC §119306(e)).
- Fees
- FY 2025–26 fee schedule (rates effective 7/1/2025–6/30/2026): application $154; annual license fee $130 (Tax Collector).
More details
- Authority
- San Francisco Department of Public Health — Environmental Health Branch, Body Art Program
- Registration
- Practitioners apply to San Francisco Department of Public Health with photo ID, a current bloodborne pathogens training certificate and a hepatitis B vaccination certificate or declination. The application fee is paid to Public Health; the annual license fee is paid to the Tax Collector.
- Renewal
- Renew the license and pay the annual license fee each year.
- Training / BBP
- Current bloodborne pathogens training certificate meeting the Cal/OSHA requirement of at least 2 hours of instruction; hepatitis B vaccination certificate or declination form.
- Not stated / check
- The latest fee schedule published by San Francisco Environmental Health is FY 2025–26 (effective to 6/30/2026); confirm current fees with SF DPH.
Informational only, not legal advice. Check the official source.
Source: San Francisco Department of Public Health — Environmental Health Branch, Body Art ProgramChecked Sep 24, 2026
Studios / establishments
Recently checked
Body art establishment permit (tattoo and piercing facility)
Licence requiredYes
Temporary licenceNo
Official links
- Fees
- FY 2025–26 fee schedule (rates effective 7/1/2025–6/30/2026): application $557; annual license fee $1,773 (Tax Collector); new construction plan review and inspection deposit $1,149.
More details
- Authority
- San Francisco Department of Public Health — Environmental Health Branch, Body Art Program
- Registration
- A permit is needed to own or operate a location offering tattoo, body piercing or permanent cosmetics. The application includes a consent form, aftercare instructions, a floor plan and each practitioner's name and registration number; the Planning Department must confirm the location's zoning allows body art.
- Renewal
- Renew the license and pay the annual license fee each year; the Tax Collector mails the renewal bill.
Events
Recently checked
Temporary body art event permit
Licence requiredYes
Temporary licenceYes
Official links
- Temporary licence
- Temporary event practitioner license for practitioners not registered in San Francisco.
- Guest artists
- Practitioners without a San Francisco license can get a temporary license for a permitted event.
- Fees
- FY 2025–26 fee schedule (rates effective 7/1/2025–6/30/2026): event demonstration booth sponsor $463; temporary demonstration booth $201; temporary event practitioner application $154 (for practitioners not registered in San Francisco).
More details
- Authority
- San Francisco Department of Public Health — Environmental Health Branch, Body Art Program
- Registration
- The event sponsor applies for a temporary permit at least 30 days before the event. Each practitioner must be licensed to practice body art: practitioners without a San Francisco license can get a temporary license for the event.