Body Art

Tattoo Artist giving woman a tattoo on arm

“Body art” refers to the practice of physical body adornment by establishments and artists utilizing, but not limited to, the techniques of body piercing and tattooing.

“Body art establishments” are businesses that provide body art procedures.

To decrease the risk of the transfer of blood-borne diseases such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV, Cheyenne Laramie County Public Health’s Environmental Health division inspects body art establishments annually, following the Rules and Regulations for Body Art Establishments. (You can see the results of recent inspections here.)

For questions related to Body Art inspections and regulations, or to speak to an Environmental Health specialist, please call 307.633.4090.

Body Artist and Establishment Applications

Body Art Establishment Permit Application (online)
Body Art Establishment Permit Application (pdf)

Body Art Establishment Plan Review Worksheet (online)
Body Art Establishment Plan Review Worksheet (pdf)

Body Artist Permit Application (online)
Body Artist Permit Application (pdf)

Guest Body Artist Permit Application (online)
Guest Body Artist Permit Application (pdf)

Body Art Special Event Application (online) (Must be submitted 30 days prior to the event.)
Body Art Special Event Application (pdf) (Must be submitted 30 days prior to the event.)

Body Art Establishment Rules and Regulations

Body Art Establishment Rules & Regulations (pdf)
City of Cheyenne Code of Ordinances for Body Art Establishments and Operations

FAQs

Any person who pierces or tattoos another person for an exchange of something of value needs a health license, as well as a city business license if operating in the city. For information on city business licenses, visit the City of Cheyenne’s website.

Yes. Individual body artists will need to download, fill out and submit the “Body Artist Permit Application” form above. (You can also come to the Cheyenne Laramie County Public Health office at 100 Central Avenue and pick up a form there.) Artist applications shall include an employer sign-off, health statements regarding communicable disease and Hep B vaccination, and bloodborne pathogen certification. Artist licenses are renewed annually and are not site-specific, while establishment licenses are site- and owner-specific. Licensed body artists working in Laramie County may operate only in licensed establishments.

Yes, and we (Environmental Health) will need to approve your plans before we can issue your establishment license. After we complete your plan review, your shop must be set up for full operation, with all equipment in place, for our visit. Your establishment license application will be completed after a plan review, or after a change of ownership with annual renewal. The Cheyenne City Clerk or other departments may have additional requirements; you can visit the City of Cheyenne’s website and learn more.