Tattoo, Body Piercing & Permanent Cosmetics Program

A. Permit for business owner/operator: Application for Permit to Operate
Business owner/operator is someone who engages in the practice of tattooing, body piercing, or

permanent cosmetics.

Complete and submit the following forms:

1. Application for Permit to Operate or Certificate of Sanitation (pdf)
2. Addendum to Application for Permit to Operate (pdf)
3. Zoning Referral form (pg. 1 and 2A ONLY) (pdf)
1. Attach a copy of floor plan with each room clearly labeled. (ie. Tattoo room, employee lounge, waiting area, restroom, etc.)
4. Exposure Control Plan (pdf)
1. The owner of every tattoo, body piercing, or permanent cosmetics facility shall establish a written Exposure Control Plan applying to all those who perform tattooing, application of permanent cosmetics, or body piercing within a facility, describing how the applicable requirements of this standard will be implemented.
2. Standards include, but are not limited to: facility requirements, housekeeping standards, approved sterilization equipment and monitoring methods, contaminated wastes, instrument sterilization and set up, etc.
5. Fire Referral form (pdf)
6. SFFD Information Bulletin (pdf)
1. Practitioner must submit this form either in person or through mail to the San Francisco Fire Department with payment.
7. Application fee (check or money order made payable to SFDPH) Click for fee amounts
8. Photo I.D. (copy of driver license, identification card, or passport)

If owner/operator is engaged in the practice of tattooing, body piercing, or applying permanent cosmetics, you must also submit an Application for Registration Card (see below).

B. Permit for practitioner: Application for Registration Card
A person who is solely engaged in the practice of tattooing, body piercing, or permanent cosmetics.

Complete and submit the following forms:

1. Application for Registration Card (pdf)
2. $25 application fee (check or money order made payable to Tax Collector’s)
3. Valid blood borne pathogen training certificate
1. Applications without a certificate will not be accepted or approved.

Practitioner, it is your responsibility to pay your yearly license fee to the Tax Collector’s Office. You must notify the Health Department if you have a change of address or would like to close your account.  Delinquent accounts (unpaid license) will be closed. If your account is closed, you will have to re-apply and pay new fees.

Additional forms:

Change of address form (pdf)
Account closure form (pdf)

C. Permit for Special Event: MUST BE SUBMITTED 14 DAYS BEFORE EVENT
Tattooing, body piercing, or permanent cosmetics booth(s) at special event.

1. Sponsor/Vendor application form (pdf)
2. If practitioner is not currently registered/permitted (unregistered practitioner) with the San Francisco Health Department, complete: Application for Registration Card (pdf) – see requirements in Section B above
1. IF practitioner is permitted with a valid San Francisco Health Department permit, submit a copy of permit.
3. Copy of floor plan with booth(s) clearly labeled.
4. Submit fee:
1. Sponsor (make check or money order payable to SFDPH) - Please call 415-252-3866 for fee amounts
2. Vendor

1. Application fee made payable to SFDPH - Please call 415-252-3866 for fee amounts
2. $60 license fee for Day 1, additional $60 for Day 2 (If event is more than 2 days, $20 for each additional day.) Check or money order made payable to Tax Collector.

3. Each unregistered practitioner: $25 for Day 1, additional $25 for Day 2 (If event is more than 2 days, practitioner need only pay for Day 1 and Day 2.) Check or money order made payable to Tax Collector.

(A practitioner with a valid San Francisco Health Department permit is fee exempt.)