                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

REGULATION OF TATTOO PARLORS, BODY-PIERCING SALONS, AND EAR-PIERCING SALONS;
DEFINITIONS; EXCEPTION (§ 15.2-912)

A. Any locality may by ordinance regulate the sanitary condition of the
personnel, equipment, and premises of tattoo parlors, body-piercing salons, and
ear-piercing salons and specify procedures for enforcement of compliance with
the disease control and disclosure requirements of &#xA7; 18.2-371.3.

B. For the purposes of this section:
			&#8220;Body-piercing salon&#8221; means any place in which a fee is charged
for the act of penetrating the skin to make a hole, mark, or scar, generally
permanent in nature.
			&#8220;Ear-piercing salon&#8221; means any place in which a fee is charged
for the act of penetrating the ear by the aid of needles or any other instrument
designed to touch or puncture the skin. &#8220;Ear-piercing salon&#8221; does
not include the use of a mechanized, pre-sterilized ear-piercing system.
			&#8220;Tattoo parlor&#8221; means any place in which is offered or practiced
the placing of designs, letters, scrolls, figures, symbols or any other marks
upon or under the skin of any person with ink or any other substance, resulting
in the permanent coloration of the skin, including permanent make-up or
permanent jewelry, by the aid of needles or any other instrument designed to
touch or puncture the skin.

C. This section shall not apply to medical doctors, veterinarians, registered
nurses, or any other medical services personnel licensed pursuant to Title 54.1
in the performance of their professional duties.

D. Localities requiring regulation of tattoo parlors, body-piercing salons, or
ear-piercing salons by ordinance shall include in such ordinance authorization
for unannounced inspections by appropriate personnel of the locality.

HISTORY: 1983, c. 429, § 15.1-28.3; 1997, c.; 2000, c. 842; 2001, c. 270; 2025,
cc. 308, 322.