Tattoo / Body Piercing

On July 14, 1997, the Governor signed into law Substitute House Bill No. 25, which amends the Ohio Revised Code to regulate businesses that offer tattooing or body piercing services. This law requires these businesses to obtain approval from the Health Department prior to opening. The law also requires that at least one inspection be conducted to assure that the business meets all the requirements for approval. This approval is valid for one year.

Tattoo and Body Piercing Regulations became effective on April 30, 1998 and established specific procedural, record-keeping, safety, and sanitarian standards for these businesses. The law and regulations, which can now be found in Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3730, enable local boards of health to better protect the public health by regulating businesses that offer tattooing and/or body piercing services. 

Tattooing and body piercing procedures present the potential for localized bacterial infection and exposure to blood-borne pathogens. Contaminated or improperly sterilized equipment and the possibility of unsanitary conditions at these locations have raised public health concerns that can now effectively be addressed by the Health Department


Annual Fee – due by January 1st  

Tattoo License   $250.00
Late fee     $312.50

Body Piercing License   $250.00
Late fee              $312.50

Tattoo/Body Piercing    $300.00
Late fee               $375.00

Time Limited Tattoo/Body Piercing
$200.00

Contact Information
For more information please contact the Ashtabula County Health Department at
(440) 576-6010